Give Peace (And Denominational Resources) A Chance

Give Peace (And Denominational Resources) A Chance

 By Cynthia Coe

 Freedom is a good thing.  Freedom is a quintessentially American value.  We like to do what we want to do.  We generally don’t like someone else telling us what we should or should not do.

However, exercising our freedom to do as we like can often lead us out of community and even completely out of touch with those with whom we profess unity.  We may think of ourselves as part of the family, but if we are not continually visiting our common values, we might – even unconsciously – find ourselves completely out of step with those with whom we hope to have unity.

Perusing Church Publishing’s recently released Christian Education Survey, I did not see much unity, much community, or many shared values among our flock.  A vast array of curricula and programs are used in our parishes, as seemingly each DCE or volunteer committee follows their own preferences.  Thus, we have very little opportunity for resource sharing and not much more than a scintilla of common ground as to what we actually “do” in the way of teaching. 

What difference does a curriculum” make, anyway?  Who cares what kids are taught, as long as they are having fun and the volunteers are happy?

A curriculum is a “course to be run.”  A curriculum is a blueprint for what we feel is important as a community, a shared value system, a “to do” list of what we feel children of God of all ages should be taught.  As a curriculum designer and writer myself, I can tell you that my values and theology absolutely DO go into my work.  When I begin a project, I actually think, “how can I link this to the Baptismal Covenant and Holy Eucharist?”  “How can I have people actually experience and think about certain scriptural concepts and Christian values?” 

In the Episcopal Church, we use many, many curricula which are not designed by those steeped in our values and theology.  And why is that a problem?  Many of the curricula used by parishes are simply not in line with what we as Episcopalians believe, even in very generally terms.  Many of these programs do not have any connection, introduction, or even use of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, which is indeed the “blueprint” of our faith and does indeed represent our theology.  Many conservative and even fundamentalist curricula present theologies contrary to our values, if you look beyond the fancy packages and claims of “fun” and “excitement.”

 If we want our children, youth, and adults to share our basic values – leaving plenty of room for diverse opinion as to how these values might be applied – we need to at the very least present, teach, and discuss these common values in the precious little times we have to spend with our flock.  Why don’t we?

Here’s what I think is happening: parish Christian education folks might indeed try a resource provided by an Episcopal publisher or designer.  The program musters low attendance, lackluster teaching, and generally “doesn’t work.”  Volunteers show up unprepared.  Attendance is sporadic.  So…the parish tries “something else.”  That “something else” might work a little better – for awhile.  Volunteers might find the program a bit more user friendly; it might seemingly have some bells and whistles that churn up a little more excitement – for awhile.  But generally speaking, the change in program does not solve the problem. 

What would solve the problem?  I respectfully suggest that the programs aren’t the problems.  I submit that the problems are these:

• Failure to uphold Christian formation as a priority
• Reliance on volunteer, unpaid teachers who simply do not have time to adequately study and prepare for lessons
• Low expectations
• Failure by clergy and bishops to insist or even (gasp!) require formational programs to be in line with our theology and values and to teach what we preach

Not surprisingly, the most utilized program in our church, according to the 2010 survey, Godly Play (used by 21% of respondents, along with another 5% using the similar Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Roman Catholic designed program), requires training by teachers, provides professional training and support to those teaching in the field, and expects those using the program to maintain certain standards.  Apparently, something is going “right” with these programs, as substantially higher maintenance as they may be. 

 Both Godly Play and Catechesis also teach liturgy, include periods of silent meditative time, and challenge children to really, really think and ponder scripture.  They are not “fun” in the secular sense of the word, yet participants undoubtedly gain much in the way of spiritual and religious formation.  (An outreach component of these programs would be appreciated, however.)

 We need to give our own denomination a chance.  We are generally pretty smart people.  We have hard working Christian formation specialists among us who are up to the task of designing great programs and curricula.  But…they could use some help and support.