wfn.org | Education event highlights leadership development, use of new

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technology 
>From nobody@wfn.org  Fri Sep  1 00:00:00 2000
Disciples News Service
Date: September 1, 2000
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org

00b-47

	CHARLOTTE, N.C. (DNS) -- Leadership development, the use of new 
technology and new models for doing Christian education were issues 
highlighted during the second pre-convocation conference of African 
American educators. 

	Some 65 persons attended the event, held in conjunction with the National 
Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Convocation 
is a fellowship of African American Disciples. 

	Conference presenters continuously emphasized the need for congregations 
to utilize computers, related software and the Internet to strengthen 
educational programs. 

	In addition, church educators were encouraged to be sensitive to the 
needs of youth, while meeting the needs of adults as well. That was the 
message from Gloria Williams, minister of education at Light of the World 
Christian Church, Indianapolis. 

	She was among three presenters in a panel discussion on "how to prepare 
church leaders for the new millennium."  She stressed the importance of 
educators keeping up with the latest learning theories. 

	All of these approaches will help congregations developing first-rate 
education ministries, according to Williams. "Christian educators are 
called to be awesome in this generation," she said.

	Education and other ministries in congregations, according to Jacqueline 
Wilborn, should be based on spiritual gifts. Successful education 
ministries also demand intentional planning with the people in mind, said 
Wilborn of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis.

	Beyond efforts directed at students or "consumers" of congregations' 
efforts at Christian education, educators themselves must be prepared to 
meet the challenges of the new millennium, according to the Rev. Linelle 
Brunson, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Decatur, Ga. 

	She encouraged teachers and leaders to keep up with techniques and 
theories by reading, and to publish their own resources, curricula and 
materials. 

	In addition, Brunson challenged attendees to see Christian education as a 
holistic ministry that can address a variety of life issues and can be 
done in and outside of the church.

	The boat -- which is the church -- has a leak in it and "something 
different has to happen," said the Rev. Irvin Green, pastor of First 
Christian Church, Maywood, Ill. He suggests a change of direction in 
church or Christian education programs.

	Business as usual has meant that fewer than 20 percent of members 
participate in congregational education activities, Sunday school programs 
remain inadequate at best, and few Christians demonstrate an increase in 
knowledge over time.

	Green also cited differing clergy/lay perceptions about Christian 
education and distrust among laity, clergy and denomination as obstacles 
to keeping education programs afloat. 

	He urged educators and pastors to "pay more attention to the academy 
(seminaries) and the denomination and to "understand that you are in a 
system. Trust somebody. Use your resources." He also encouraged conferees 
to take new risks in developing new programming. "Stop trying to keep up 
with the Joneses -- pass them up."

	The church is on its way to something new in Christian education, said 
the Rev. Jim Brooks, and probably needs to "let the boat sink. We (church 
educators) are the survivors," he added.

	The director of Christian education for the Disciples' Homeland 
Ministries division lifted up several models being used in congregations. 
Models range from the traditional Sunday church school, to the Montessori 
approach utilized in secular education, to a "worship-centered" model 
involving educators as "partners in worship" planning.

	Regardless of model or approach, however, Brooks advised creativity in 
meeting the needs of today's spiritual seeker. "Forty percent of any 
congregation will not join a group," he said. "This requires new 
approaches" that include seekers and families in transition.

	"We need to be mentors, walking side by side, sharing stories with each 
other," he said. 

	"The goal of Christian education is not making good church members, but 
good Christ members," Brooks concluded.

                                                                          
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