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Classmates Post
Strengthening our Education Programs
Creating and sustaining a Bible Education Program within a church is complex and demanding. Like most endeavors, a church can engage in a program simply because it is what we do, or they can invest considerable time, effort, and resources to create a quality product. Our reading this week illustrated many practical ideas to sustain, enhance, and grow our programs. Diaz-Bolet (2008) addressed many factors related to working with volunteers. As we know, a significant majority of Bible school workers and teachers are volunteers. There were two important lessons that caught my attention.
First, serving God is not optional. Referencing Ephesians 2:10, Diaz-Bolet (2008) writes, Bestowing the privilege and responsibility of service on all believers had its inception in the mind of God (p. 419). Christians have been created for good works. It is true that we choose which works to pursue, but the mandate to be involved in good works is not offered by God within an optional framework. Not only has God called us to His own purpose but has also gifted us with the ability to carry out his mission. Paul compared the working of a church to a body in multiple places within his letters. In Ephesians 4:16, Paul wrote that the body is joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Just as a body requires all parts to work together to provide optimal efficiency, the church functions in the same way. It is most effective when all members work together.
Diaz-Bolet (2008) referenced an acronym by Blanchard and Miller to convey the concept of effective service. We are to See the future, Engage and develop others, Reinvent continuously, Value results and relationships, and Embody the values. This acronym accurately illustrates the service required for our Bible school programs. Continued growth within our education programs demands continual evolution. Yes, there are some foundational concepts that transcend all generations, such as anchoring our education in Gods Word. But how that is taught and structured will adapt. Therefore, a continual view towards the future in the context of focusing on people in relation to Gods word, as expressed well by this acronym, is vital.
Second, a strategy is needed to grow and improve our Bible programs. It is easy to look no further than the following quarter and require nothing more of our teachers than a willingness to teach, no matter how ill-equipped or over-burdened they may feel. This mentality will not suffice. Nor does it depict the seriousness of teaching disciples all things needed for growth within Gods kingdom. Diaz-Bolet (2008) addresses several areas that require strategy.
First, proper standards and expectations must be met. What do we convey to our teachers? Do we imply that teaching requires the least amount of effort possible during the week so that we can maintain and recruit more teachers? The standards we set with our teachers will be followed whether high or low. Second, we must commit to ongoing recruitment. Our teachers are volunteers and will need breaks. It is our responsibility to ensure that they receive proper breaks and still maintain effective teachers for every classroom. This entails a continual commitment to recruitment. Third, proper training is needed. Training naturally accompanies recruitment. However, training is not just for new teachers. Our strategies should be structured in a way that promotes growth and encouragement for all our teachers. Our strategies should engage them in a way that stimulates desire and improvement. I believe our training should model what we hope to achieve in our classrooms. Do we strive to create interest in our classes? Do we seek engagement from our students? Can we make it enjoyable while still educating? Our training sessions can be more than just informative. They can also be a personal model on how to achieve our desired goals.
Our education programs will be what we make of them. They will reflect our time, energy, and importance ascribed to the program. As we recognize the importance that God has placed on growing as Christians, we have the responsibility to continually evaluate our programs to ensure that we are meeting these expectations. Currently, in our church, we have the potential of impacting around two hundred people with our Bible classes. These two chapters were good reminders for me about the importance of taking advantage of these opportunities. God has supplied the vision in Ephesians 4.11-16. It is our responsibility to make this vision a reality. The best starting point for me is simple. Are we currently meeting Gods expectations from this text within our program? What needs to happen right now? What needs to happen in the future? I try to allow these questions to guide my outlook and planning.
Reference
Diaz-Bolet, E. (2008). Ministering alongside volunteers. In W.R. Yount (Ed.), The teaching ministry of the church (2nd ed.) (pp. 417-435).
