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Dr. G. & Friends  |  

What are the basic functions of a congregational educator?

I had an interesting discussion with a layperson who has just accepted the call to lead her congregation’s Christian education ministries.

She was feeling a bit overwhelmed (close to panic, actually) as she started to get a grasp of the scope of the job she’d taken on.

She called me to help her get a handle on what it is she was supposed to do as the leader of the Christian education enterprise of her church.

At one point she asked, “What does a church’s Christian educator do, anyway?”

 

The work of a congregational education director is demanding and comprehensive, whatever the title a congregation uses (Director of Christian education, Associate for Congregational Formation, Director of Christian Formation, Minister for Discipleship, etc.).

What resident Christian educators do is fulfill the Great Commission’s mandate of making disciples. And that is what makes it both challenging and meaningful.

Christian education is central to the mission and purpose of the congregation, and therefore, it must be done well.

 

Congregational Christian education directors may end up doing a lot of things that come with the job (like supervising building and grounds issues!).

And there are certain groups or aspects for which they have a predilection (children or youth, retreats, small groups, spiritual direction, or Sunday school), but by and large, congregational Christian educators are generalists who need to know a little about a lot of things.

The effective Christian educator, however, must also give attention to certain basic functions of the job.

While context determines the job, here are some of the basic functions that comprise the work of the congregational Christian educator:

 

 

That’s quite a list, but it answers the question my friend asked, “What does a church’s Christian educator do, anyway?”

Demanding? Yes! Fulfilling? Certainly!

By the way, if you need support or help in any of those areas, visit the Center for Lifelong Learning.

We’re here to help.


Israel Galindo is Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning at the Columbia Theological Seminary. He directs the Pastoral Excellence Program at Columbia seminary. He is the author of the bestseller, The Hidden Lives of Congregations (Alban), Perspectives on Congregational Leadership (Educational Consultants), and A Family Genogram Workbook (Educational Consultants), with Elaine Boomer & Don Reagan, and Leadership in Ministry: Bowen Theory in the Congregational Context.

His books on education include Mastering the Art of Instruction,The Craft of Christian Teaching (Judson), How to be the Best Christian Study Group Leader (Judson), and Planning for Christian Education Formation (Chalice Press).

Galindo contributes to the Wabash Center’s blog for theological school deans and to its teaching and learning blogs.

 

Adapted from A Christian Educator’s Book of Lists by Israel Galindo (Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, ) You can order the book from the publisher,  or from Amazon.com.

Dr. G. & Friends