In practical terms the duties are extensive and quite daunting. The session must approve the selection of the chairperson of the Christian Education committee and all teachers and youth group advisors as well as all curriculum, youth program materials, and adult learning plans. The budgets of all educational programs, as part of the annual budget of the congregation, are under session direction. Additionally, the session is also responsible for leading members in the theology and practice of worship (G-6.2005; W-1.4001); for instructing new elders and deacons (G-10.0102 l); for the preparation of new members, the training of the confirmation class in the meaning of the profession of faith in Christ, and the responsibilities of membership and the faith and order of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (G- 5.0400), and the development of an educational process for the members of the session itself (G-10.0102 k).
Elders do not take on all the responsibilities alone. In most congregations, they are assisted by the Christian Education committee as it recommends and orders curriculum each year, organizes and operates the church school, and supervises teachers and youth leaders. Larger churches often have a church school superintendent, a paid Christian Educator (see G-14.0700), or an Associate Pastor who coordinates these activities. Separate committees may supervise the programs and staff of Adult Education and Youth Ministry.
But the responsibilities do not end with elected committees and staff. The pastors of the church are deeply involved in educating the members as well. In particular they nurture the community through preaching and leading the Lord’s Supper and baptism; praying with and for members; teaching Bible classes and other courses; participating in sermon dialogue; working with children in and out of class, instructing parents at the time of baptism, and providing a personal example of Christian conduct (G-6.0202 a). Along with elders, pastors are called to equip members for their tasks in the church and their mission to the world in caring, peacemaking, and justice (G-6.0202 b).
But the responsibilities do not end with the pastors. In addition to the work elders perform in supervising education as members of the session they also are directed to take their duties personally as educators and role models: they, along with the deacons, also provide an example to the rest of the congregation as they live moral, honest, and just lives (G-6.0106 a, b); they are to nurture the faith and life of other members, encourage them to attend worship and serve God in the community and the world.
But it is not just church officers who bear the tasks of education. According to our constitution, parents have a special calling from God to nurture their own children in Christian faith and practice (W-5.7000). In particular they become Christian educators by teaching them how to pray and worship in the home, studying God’s Word together, and modeling how to use time and money to reach out to others. Parents are also responsible for taking their children to church and teaching them what worship means through instruction and example (W-5.7002).
And educational tasks extend into the entire congregation. As Presbyterians we believe that education is part of the ministry of all members, that every person has the duty to be a teacher as well as a learner (G-5.0102). Membership is ministry for all of us and being a Christian requires the sharing of our faith in God and Jesus Christ wherever we are, through our lifestyle, the way we spend our money or give it away, by living responsibly in our private and public lives, and by deliberately allocating time to make the world a more peaceful, just, and human place (G-5.0102 i).
Who is responsible for Christian Education in the local church? All of us are called to become beacons of God’s truth whether we are sharing a meal at home, earning a living in the city and the town, or throwing the ball to first base. Wherever we find ourselves we are teaching others about Christ and we provide living lessons about what it means to be his.*
*See the recent reflections of Margaret M. Shaw in Guest Viewpoint, “Rediscovering Christian Education” in the April 11/18, 2005 issue of the OUTLOOK (p. 13).
EARL S. JOHNSON JR. is the pastor of First Church in Johnstown, N.Y. and adjunct professor of Religious Studies at Siena College in Loudenville, N.Y.
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