So What Faith

Greg Smith

Academic Teaching (in Church) (#1338)

By

NUCCStephen Mattson recently proposed a list of seven things churches have largely stopped doing that he believes they should still be doing:

  1. discipline,
  2. testimonials,
  3. corporate prayer,
  4. challenge,
  5. academically teach,
  6. sacrifice, and
  7. practical ministry.

Academically Teach

While each item on his list is worth considering, I found myself most intrigued by #4: academically teach.  Mattson writes:

Churches used to be innovative leaders in education, but now all “higher level” teaching is seemingly reserved for Christian colleges and other higher educational institutions. Local churches have outsourced their responsibility for deep, academic, and complex teaching related to the Bible, theology, philosophy, and doctrine — often trading it in for superficial entertainment.

I agree with Mattson that local congregations should provide a comprehensive Christian education/enrichment ministry that offers quality options for people at any and every stage of the journey of faith.  Such classes should be taught by subject matter experts and at a level appropriate for the participants.

I disagree with Mattson that this no longer happens.  It is, like every other ministry decision, a matter of choice.  Congregations that value whole life education will provide a variety of opportunities for adults, including many that are quite deep.

My Current Experience

In my part-time role overseeing just such a ministry at Naples United Church of Christ our classes during the current season include the following teachers:

  • Dr. Diana Butler Bass – a lay woman who considers the Episcopal Church her home and who writes for and ministers to those in a wide variety of religious denominations and traditions,
  • Rev. Dr. William Crawford – a retired American Baptist Minister,
  • Rev. Dr. Charles McCullough – a United Church of Christ Minister,
  • Rev. Dr. George Bell – a retired Presbyterian (PCUSA) Minister and certified poetry therapist,
  • Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kircher – a retired Episcopalian priest,
  • Rev. Dr. Ronald Patterson – a United Church of Christ Minister serving as this congregation’s Senior Minister,
  • Rev. Dr. Dawson Taylor – a United Church of Christ Minister serving as this congregation’s Associate Minister,
  • Rev. Beverly Duncan – a United Church of Christ Minister serving as this congregation’s Assistant Minister,
  • Ms. Charnley Marsden – a United Church of Christ lay woman and a member of this congregation, and
  • Seminarian Ron Thompson – a licensed United Church of Christ Minister completing his theological education at Lexington Theological Seminary, which is an ecumenical seminary affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

So What?

I can assure you that the list of folks above provides parishioners and those from the wider community with learning opportunities that are academic in nature without sacrificing relevance and applicability to the life situation of the participants.  If they did not add this type of value, I would not invite them to teach about matters of faith that matter.

Does your congregation offer academic teaching as Mattson describes it (deep, academic, and complex) related to matters of faith?

  • If not, do you feel they should?
  • If so, share some of the types of classes offered or a bit about those who teach.