In an age when nearly everyone has access to the web, thereby having access to huge amounts of content related to the Bible, faith, Christianity, doctrine, progressive theology, and much more, what place do Christian education classes (e.g. Sunday school)--especially for adults--still have?
Not all that long ago, pastors and Sunday school teachers were the repositories of religious knowledge. In reality, they often simply just had the study guide! But still, there was an expectation that the teacher would generally have more information at their fingertips that they would impart to the students. At least two developments radically changed that.
One was the explosion in study books. Now, the leader's role is often more of a facilitator of discussions and activities, and often is the one who chooses the study to begin with. Individuals get their own copy of a study book and can then go back to it later. Dozens of these study books are available at the local Christian book store, through catalogs, or printable from an ebook. This huge increase in marketed products made it much easier for any individual to take charge of their own religious education.
But the more important development in the past ten years has been the web. Now, great content on any topic is available for free. Sure, books are still hugely popular, but frequently they become popular because people have read about them on their favorite websites. Spirituality, depending on which study you read, is anywhere between the #1 and #5 most searched for topic on the Internet. So what are some of the major roles for the progressive Christian educator today? Here are four I think are critical. (Share your other ideas on our blog and continue the conversation.)
1. Christian community. Your classes and groups are not just places for Christians to be together; they are also where individuals can experience and practice Christian community. I think this needs to become a major focus in our classrooms, for we increasingly live in a society where we are "Bowling Alone."
2. Opportunities for evaluation and discernment. An adult education class is a great place for someone with a good theological education to help surfers sort out the wheat from the chaff. A pastor or educator can clarify the theological emphases of the congregation and help those who are moving from traditional to progressive Christianity to have an easier transition. Participants can share what they have discovered that has been good--and what others should avoid.
3. Praxis. This is the continuing circular relationship between study, reflection, and action. Classes can put a greater emphasis on reflecting on practice of faith in the world, along with study that directly relates to the practice of faith.
4. Training for ministry. CE classes can help individuals identify their "natural impulses" (or spiritual gifts, though I love this phrase from Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz), then train individuals for ministry. The classroom becomes a place where theology and ministry get immediately blended, as individuals learn skills for teaching, leading worship, planning a mission trip, and other expressions of ministry.
~ Tim Gossett