The basic functions of the congregational educator

I had an interesting discussion with a lay person who has just accepted the call to lead her congregation’s Christian education ministries. She was feeling a bit overwhelmed (close to panic, actually) as she started to get a grasp of the scope of the job she’s taken on. She called me to help her get a handle on what it is she was supposed to do as the leader of the Christian education enterprise of her church. At one point she asked, “What does a Christian educator do, anyway?”

The work of a congregational education director is demanding and comprehensive. And that is what makes it both challenging and meaningful. Christian education is central to the mission and purpose of the congregation, and therefore, it must be done well.

Congregational Christian education directors may end up doing a lot of things that come with the job (like supervising building and grounds issues!). And there are certain groups or aspects for which they have a predilection (children or youth, retreats or Sunday school), but the effective Christian educator must also give attention to certain basic functions of the job.

Here are some of the basic functions that comprise the work of the congregational Christian educator:

• Participating in the pastoral functions of the church as necessary
• Shaping and articulating a vision for Christian education appropriate to context
• Teaching and interpreting the Biblical story
• Supporting pastoral and church staff in their work
• Providing educational expertise to the church at large
• Supervising hired staff and volunteer educators
• Managing church and organizational resources
• Training church leaders and educators
• Designing and implementing church curriculum
• Programming for effective education, training, and nurture
• Providing resources for leaders, educators, and programs.

Selected from A Christian Educator’s Book of Lists by Israel Galindo (Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, ) You can order the book from the publisher, or from Amazon.com.