Comments on: What’s in a name? http://grace-ed.org/blog/archives/1007 Christian Education at its best! Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:06:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Linda Moore http://grace-ed.org/blog/archives/1007#comment-10599 Linda Moore Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:37:47 +0000 http://grace-ed.org/blog/?p=1007#comment-10599 It is also helpful to know what the church thinks of the titles as well. Here, my title is Minister of Christian Education. There was a discussion in the beginning of making the title Associate Minister of Christian Education and the church said no, because it sounded like I would be more of an "Associate" role rather than an education specific. 2 years later, I am still titled Minister of CE, however I am doing all the responsibility that comes with being an in a Associate role as well. (and then some...there IS that line in my job description "and all other duties as needed by the senior minister") I believe, I think along side Marty, that "Minister of Adults" is a more generalist term. If you compare it with "Minister of Adult Education" - the second seems to convey that the minister would focus specifically on the education side of adult programming. "Minister of Adults" conveys to me that the minister would focus on ALL aspects of Adults - pastoral care, education, etc... And it definitely depends on the Senior Pastor too. I am currently reading, "Leading From the Second Chair" and it does talk about in the subordinate-leader paradox, the importance of the role of the first chair and how it is the first chair who decides where the line is drawn and you as second chair will need to know where that is. So, as the minister is deciding what the title should be, it is my impression that the "senior" will want to give their input as well. It is also helpful to know what the church thinks of the titles as well. Here, my title is Minister of Christian Education. There was a discussion in the beginning of making the title Associate Minister of Christian Education and the church said no, because it sounded like I would be more of an “Associate” role rather than an education specific.

2 years later, I am still titled Minister of CE, however I am doing all the responsibility that comes with being an in a Associate role as well. (and then some…there IS that line in my job description “and all other duties as needed by the senior minister”)

I believe, I think along side Marty, that “Minister of Adults” is a more generalist term. If you compare it with “Minister of Adult Education” - the second seems to convey that the minister would focus specifically on the education side of adult programming. “Minister of Adults” conveys to me that the minister would focus on ALL aspects of Adults - pastoral care, education, etc…

And it definitely depends on the Senior Pastor too. I am currently reading, “Leading From the Second Chair” and it does talk about in the subordinate-leader paradox, the importance of the role of the first chair and how it is the first chair who decides where the line is drawn and you as second chair will need to know where that is. So, as the minister is deciding what the title should be, it is my impression that the “senior” will want to give their input as well.

]]> By: Marty Canaday http://grace-ed.org/blog/archives/1007#comment-10545 Marty Canaday Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:27:25 +0000 http://grace-ed.org/blog/?p=1007#comment-10545 Let me add a couple more . . . Minister of Adult Formation Pastoral Educator for Adult Formation It would be helpful to discover how persons perceive each of the listed titles. For example, "Minister with Adults" conveys to me "along-side-of." But are not all adult believers (clergy AND laity) ministers with other adults? if we accept the theology that all adult believers are called of God, and that our calling is a personal response to a corporate calling, lay persons are "ministers with adults" as well. There is no clergy/laity distinction in this title that sets apart a special clergy function. Additionally, what does "to minister" mean? Are the terms "to educate" and "to minister" synonymous? Idea: Take one title each week and ask persons to post their perceptions of what that title means to them. At the end of that process we all may be a bit more clear on this issue. Let me add a couple more . . .

Minister of Adult Formation
Pastoral Educator for Adult Formation

It would be helpful to discover how persons perceive each of the listed titles. For example, “Minister with Adults” conveys to me “along-side-of.” But are not all adult believers (clergy AND laity) ministers with other adults? if we accept the theology that all adult believers are called of God, and that our calling is a personal response to a corporate calling, lay persons are “ministers with adults” as well. There is no clergy/laity distinction in this title that sets apart a special clergy function.

Additionally, what does “to minister” mean? Are the terms “to educate” and “to minister” synonymous?

Idea: Take one title each week and ask persons to post their perceptions of what that title means to them. At the end of that process we all may be a bit more clear on this issue.

]]>