I had not committed the final act of completely ignoring the warnings that my subscription was about to expire when an editorial by Jack Haberer gave me impetus to change my mind. Yes, I would stay for a while.
Mr. Haberer expressed a real concern for the precarious position of Christian Educators. He seemed able to fit into our skins. He seemed willing to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. He expressed hope that maybe, just maybe, the time might be right for the recognition of the true value of the educators’ gifts. The time might maybe, just maybe, be right for ordination of Certified Christian Educators.
Post haste, I renewed my subscription. Sure, I could do without a new pair of shoes. I felt my crusade for long awaited recognition — how many years? — was about to end. I felt that we would soon be able to sing hymns of thanksgiving.
Where are you now, Mr. Haberer? What is happening? Are you using your bully pulpit for us?
Your last editorial was a review of Eileen Lindner’s keynote address at this year’s meeting of the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators. I am sure Ms. Lindner is a far more brainy person than I. I am sure her credentials are off the map. She is a keeper of the statistics concerning demographic trends in U. S. and Canada. (I knew this not, until I was enlightened by you, Mr. Haberer.) If I read you right, Ms. Lindner has blown to bits all our theories and observations on the cause of decline in membership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In a related article in the same issue she is quoted as saying, “We aren’t here because we are dead.” She interprets her statistics to reflect the low birth rate among Presbyterians and the deaths of the baby boomers that once swelled our memberships, filled our pews, and expanded our nurseries. The statistics tell us that.
However, I am interested in the rest of the story. I would like some statistics that tell me why our membership is declining when the nation’s population is growing. I would like some statistics that show what factors are involved in a church that beats all odds and stretches its physical bounds with growth in the mid and late 1990s and drops to an all time low in approximately five years. I have my thoughts and many of them center on Christian Education.
No, I am not hung up on gender preference, and on types of worship, or other issues we hear much about. I am hung up on how we treat each other. I am hung up on the politics of power that finds fertile ground in my beloved Presbyterian Church. I think we lose members and do not gain members by the perception others can have of us. They read us loud and strong. I am hung up on my perception that Christian Educators, who are giving and have much to give to the life and growth of the church, are quite often first heads on the chopping block. I have heard enough of educators finding out, without previous warning, that they are being released from their positions. I call it Educators’ Extermination. And it usually has a foul smell.
Yes, Eileen Lindner shared her knowledge, her expertise with those attending APCE. I wish I could have been there. Sadly, I am retired and on a small budget. I could not afford to go to what I consider the best that the Presbyterian Church has to offer. If I could have gone I would have shared these thoughts in person. Maybe, Ms. Lindner could look for more statistics. Maybe, she would be able to tell the rest of the story.
Jennie Langham, Certified DCE, retired, lives in Shalimar, Fla.
