The 3 faces of Grace came with me to the APCE meeting in St. Louis. Sometimes that makes for an uncomfortable trip.
Lawyer Grace walks into this gathering and sees lots of teachers of children and youth—people with the imagination and skill to inspire the next generation of faithful Christians. And since Lawyer Grace has no formal teaching or child development experience (except the on-the-job training as Mom to Portia and Babs), she feels out of place and like an imposter.
Lawyer Grace thinks: “What am I doing here? Shouldn’t someone with the experience and affinity for children and youth ministry be attending in my place? Wouldn’t that be better stewardship of the church’s resources?” Then she reminds herself that she is there as Educator Grace, a person with four years of practical (albeit part-time) experience in that role.
Educator Grace’s focus is on adult education. Her mission is to improve the Biblical literacy of the congregation. Educator Grace believes in the “trickle down” theory—to involve children and youth in CE you must first involve the adults. So Educator Grace registers for workshops to help improve her work in adult education.
But the APCE meeting workshops are mostly focused on programs and curriculum for children and youth. There are few workshops offered in this area at the annual meeting and there were no real new ideas in any of them.
The third face is Blogger Grace, who brought along her laptop. Blogger Grace was disappointed there were no workshops beyond a very introductory level that offered a chance to improve computer presentation skills or discussed creative ways to expand CE ministry beyond the walls of the church through the internet. What about podcasts? How about tweaking the church's website to include "directed Bible studies" for those who prefer to read and study on their own, are homebound, or otherwise wouldn't participate in a group at church? What other ways can we use internet tools to help people grow in faith?
The RevGals (especially Reverendmommy) could really take this group to school on the subject. Blogger Grace believes this was a missed opportunity and was frustrated.
As I write this I'm back home and the 3 faces of Grace are no longer differentiated, but reunited. I've concluded that next year we need to send someone from the church active in our children and youth ministries and committed to making them better in order to take advantage of what APCE really offers. If session won’t increase our continuing education budget, then the 3 faces of Grace will stay home so we can equip someone else in these vital areas of ministry.
Lawyer Grace walks into this gathering and sees lots of teachers of children and youth—people with the imagination and skill to inspire the next generation of faithful Christians. And since Lawyer Grace has no formal teaching or child development experience (except the on-the-job training as Mom to Portia and Babs), she feels out of place and like an imposter.
Lawyer Grace thinks: “What am I doing here? Shouldn’t someone with the experience and affinity for children and youth ministry be attending in my place? Wouldn’t that be better stewardship of the church’s resources?” Then she reminds herself that she is there as Educator Grace, a person with four years of practical (albeit part-time) experience in that role.
Educator Grace’s focus is on adult education. Her mission is to improve the Biblical literacy of the congregation. Educator Grace believes in the “trickle down” theory—to involve children and youth in CE you must first involve the adults. So Educator Grace registers for workshops to help improve her work in adult education.But the APCE meeting workshops are mostly focused on programs and curriculum for children and youth. There are few workshops offered in this area at the annual meeting and there were no real new ideas in any of them.
The third face is Blogger Grace, who brought along her laptop. Blogger Grace was disappointed there were no workshops beyond a very introductory level that offered a chance to improve computer presentation skills or discussed creative ways to expand CE ministry beyond the walls of the church through the internet. What about podcasts? How about tweaking the church's website to include "directed Bible studies" for those who prefer to read and study on their own, are homebound, or otherwise wouldn't participate in a group at church? What other ways can we use internet tools to help people grow in faith?The RevGals (especially Reverendmommy) could really take this group to school on the subject. Blogger Grace believes this was a missed opportunity and was frustrated.
As I write this I'm back home and the 3 faces of Grace are no longer differentiated, but reunited. I've concluded that next year we need to send someone from the church active in our children and youth ministries and committed to making them better in order to take advantage of what APCE really offers. If session won’t increase our continuing education budget, then the 3 faces of Grace will stay home so we can equip someone else in these vital areas of ministry.
I think you are on target with a focus on improving adult CE. And also on target with sending children and youth workers next year, as the focus seemed more on those areas. Also very much on target with the idea of utilizing the church website and Internet for adult CE. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThe church is so far behind on computer stuff I sometimes feel like people think I'm an alien from another planet when I start talking about blogging and the possibilities for the church on the 'net.
ReplyDeleteDo we always have to be so far behind, Lord?
What if a couple of us get in touch with APCE leadership and volunteer to teach a CE/Computer workshop next year? One or two of us might get to go to the conference for free and we might learn something from folks who sign up for the workshop. It would also give us the excuse to spend time intervieiwing folks at churches where cool things are being done. Where is the conference next year? Honolulu???
ReplyDeletePCIT:
ReplyDeleteNext year's meeting is in Philadelphia.
Wish it was in Honolulu! The 2008 conference is in San Diego--now you're talking.
Seriously, that is a good idea. I have had some correspondence with the woman at APCE in charge of selecting the 2007 workshops (I was trying to interest her in Bible in 90 Days). So I have her name and email address.
Maybe I should email her and ask her if they would be interested, and if so then we could draft a proposal for a workshop. What do you think?
Yes--or this http://www.zephyrpoint.org/Apce-Auce.htmls conference lists a workshop on "media resources for education"--wonder if it includes on-line media, etc. Just going with the thought that Lake Tahoe in autumn is a nicer destination than Philly in mid-winter :)
ReplyDeleteGREAT comments
ReplyDelete