Category Archives: Christian Education

Six Practices For Effective Staff Ministry

Posted on June 19, 2007 by mcanaday

I recently had a conversation with a staff minister who shared his frustration that his staff team did not conduct staff meetings. The result, he said, was a lack of communication and collaboration. He continued with a comment that little … Continue reading →

Posted in assessment, Christian Education, leadership, second chair | 1 Comment

Galli’s “The Cost of Christian Education”

Posted on June 18, 2007 by igalindo

Last week I received an e-mail from a theology student at a seminary in Brazil. He’s taking a class in apologetics and wanted me to share my thoughts on, “How can I prove God historically?” I found the question vague … Continue reading →

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Quarterlies

Posted on June 15, 2007 by vellison

This past week I received an e-mail from one of our adult Sunday School Classes. The facilitator had e-mailed the class about the possibility of using new literature – one that had quarterlies. Reading that word, “quarterlies” did something to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, Sunday school, teaching | 4 Comments

Levels of adult C.E. programming

Posted on June 15, 2007 by igalindo

Someone asked me for a list of congregations who had “strong adult education ministries.” I knew what he was asking, but the more I thought about it, the less able I was to compile a list. I got stuck on … Continue reading →

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Developmental Christian education formation programming

Posted on June 13, 2007 by igalindo

Developmental Christian education formation program planning is an approach that seeks to shape the educational programs in a congregation around the faith development needs of the members. While it appears to use an “age-graded” structure to programs, planning also incorporates … Continue reading →

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A Suggestion for Effective Enlistment

Posted on June 10, 2007 by mcanaday

In discussions about church enlistment we’ve often heard the statement, “we enlist our own problems!” How many nominating committee processes have you experienced that were exercises in filling slots without giving intentional consideration to the passions and gifts of leaders … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, leadership | 2 Comments

Christian Formation in the Life of a Minister

Posted on June 9, 2007 by mcanaday

I was thinking some time ago about the factors and influences that shape the Christian formation of ministers. This reflection led me to several observations born out of my curiosity. My initial observation is that many ministers do not prioritize … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, leadership | 3 Comments

John Calvin’s student prayer

Posted on June 6, 2007 by igalindo

I just returned from a professional development colloquy with theological faculty from various schools. During one of our worship sessions a colleague shared John Calvin’s “Sudent Prayer” as part of the worship. It’s been a while since I’d read it … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Christian Education, theology, worship | 1 Comment

Active learning

Posted on June 1, 2007 by igalindo

One major drawback to teaching in Christian education is the unwarrented, and often unintended, practice of setting ourselves up for inactive, non-participatory, learning. Many teachers of adults tend to shy away from challenging their class or group to participate in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, teaching | 2 Comments

Getting the right answer wrong

Posted on May 25, 2007 by igalindo

One of the most unfortunate practices I see often in instruction is when a teacher’s goal is to get “right answers” from students. This is not to say that getting your students to get it right is wrong–in fact, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Christian Education, teaching | Comments Off on Getting the right answer wrong