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| A Teaching Church"As Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them... and he began to teach them many things." - Mark 6:34 Dear Friends, It occurred to me recently that we have become a "teaching church" in many senses of the word. One way that we are a teaching church is that we have many classes and seminars available. This month, a parenting seminar and a forgiveness seminar will be offered. An adult spirituality class meets every Sunday at 9am and an adult Bible study class meets every Sunday at 10:30am. Small groups on loss, on the advent of God's kingdom, and on relationships are also contexts for adult learning. We teach our children on Sunday mornings and, if they are grade school age, on Thursday evening. We invite the youth to learn with us on Thursday evenings and through helping to lead worship. Opportunities also exist for the children and youth to learn music through participation in the children's choir, the Voices of Praise, and the hand chime choir. Most of our outreach is geared to teaching people that God loves them, even if they have often heard messages to the contrary. Another expression of our "teaching church" identity is that we are always teaching one another, through word and example, how to live and serve God more faithfully. Last month we focused on avenues of service; this month we will focus on giving as it relates to our spiritual growth. Whenever we say "farewell" to individuals, couples, and families that are moving away, I think of what PB UMC has taught them about God, and about church, and hope they will take their learnings with them to their new homes and new churches. Often, what I'm told people learn is that there is no place quite like PB UMC. I hope, however, that what people learn here about the power of friendliness, hospitality, and joy can be translated into other settings. One aspect of our teaching ministry that may be less visible is the work I do with aspiring pastors. I am a "mentor" (official term) to two or three people who are currently attending seminary, applying for ordination, or both. I meet regularly with these future pastors for reflection, self assessment, and review of how God is working in their lives. According to the gospels, one of Jesus' primary activities was teaching. In fact, Matthew recounts that Jesus' last words to the disciples included the instruction to go into all the world and teach the commandments of God. Following the example of Jesus, I pray our teaching be filled with good news and encouragement. And thank you for everything that you are teaching me! Pastor April |
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