Soul Cakes: A November Family Faith Activity

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Despite the serious and lofty education most of us clergy receive in seminary (theology, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, hermeneutics, philosophy, etc.) ministry has, decidedly, a pragmatic skills component to it. As one person put it, you have to “know stuff” (and she wasn’t referring to “book learnin’”). Pity the congregational minister who doesn’t develop skills to grease the rails of ministry in the real world. To quote Napoleon Dynamite, “You know, like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills… Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.”

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Howard Gardner’s theory and research on Multiple Intelligences (MI) is changing the landscape of education. While there is a lot of unfortunate misunderstanding about the theory—and worse, some loopy attempts at educational application—the theory holds much promise for effective learning. One source for sound application of the theory can be found in the work of differentiated instruction at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s WIDE World training program for teachers and educators. Highly recommended.

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One of the teachers at the elementary school at which I was a principal would take a vacation to a different state every year. Her family’s goal was to eventually visit all fifty states and so at the school year’s end she and her husband would pack up the kids and pets and take off for the next state on their checklist.

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When I was in parish ministry one of the things I most enjoyed was planning and leading the summer children’s camp. I doubt I have the energy to do that anymore, but it was a lot of fun. There are two things to keep in mind about planning a weeklong children’s camp: (1) you have to plan for 24 hours a day, and, (2) you need to plan for those rainy days when you’ll need to keep the kids indoors (and you can count on at least one rainy day!).

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The concept of the emotional triangle often is referred to as the “building block” for emotional process dynamics in relationship systems (families, churches, organizations, etc.). Dual relationships (one on one) are difficult to maintain so it does not take long for a triangle to develop. A triangle is made up of any three persons in a relationship, or two persons and an issue. Triangles are not only the way we tend to default in our relationships (dual relationships are impossible to maintain) but they are also the most effective (if not always the most efficient) way we have for handling interpersonal anxiety. However, getting into an anxious triangle is a sure way of tripping and stumbling into something that can get us stuck.

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A one-page graphic handout that can serve as a focal point poster, or as a handout to start discussion on journey, travel, calling, etc. You can have persons answer the question literally first, then metaphorically. Free to use as long as copyright tag remains with the handout. Share your stuff. (.pdf, one page): <%media(20070207-how did you get here handout.pdf|Handout: How did you get here? )%>