Equipping the Saints

A Pilot Project of Leadership Training in the Church

DREAM A BIT! Do you wish for better faith formation in your church and more interest in it? Do you long for a biblically literate church and a community passionate about faith? Do your leaders need some training in basic theology, scripture and group leadership skills? Are you particularly tired of a band-aid approach to teacher training? Are you dismayed at having to constantly recruit warm bodies to staff Sunday School? Sara Covin Juengst believes that the church has failed to provide it's teachers with basic knowledge about the Bible, theology, and doctrine. Because the quality of religious education is determined by the quality of its teachers, religious illiteracy has soared. She proposes an innovative teacher-training course, and provides plans for teaching biblical background, basic beliefs, and teaching techniques.

If you would like to remedy the situation and take leadership development seriously, especially the training and support of those who teach, you are invited to take part in a pilot project of serious teacher training. Using the book Equipping the Saints by Sara Covin Jeungst, the program involves a nine-month course in three parts: 1) biblical background, 2) the basics of Christian beliefs, and 3) an introduction to good teaching practices (which can be adapted to other areas like evangelism, stewardship, mission etc.). Each thirteen-session segment provides an interactive study that stresses call and commitment rather than desperation and duty.

The diocese will offer an introductory seminar to any interested church or cluster of churches. Those who choose to engage the program will be given diocesan assistance, two sites will be chosen for direct staff support. Leaders will be networked with others using the program, including gatherings for leaders to share progress and needs, and access to an internet meeting.

The church.has neglected one of its primary tasks: equipping the saints for the work of ministry. I am especially concerned about its neglect of those saints who have been called to the important task of "traditioning" the faith. I believe it is time that we restore a sense of call to the ministry of teaching, and accept the responsibility of serious preparation for those who receive this call. It is time to get the horse before the cart; to stop talking about "recruiting volunteers" and focus on "vocation"; to energize, excite, and educate the saints who have heard God's call and are willing to commit themselves to it. We have failed to provide teachers and leaders in the church with an understanding of the basic rudiments of biblical knowledge and Christian theology before they teach. we have permitted and even encouraged laity to teach with a woefully shaky foundation.

Asking people to teach before giving them adequate training, has resulted in a weak transmittal of the faith. What is at stake may be the survival of our faith. - Sara Covin Juengst, Equipping the Saints

Sample copies of the book are available on loan from
the diocesan Resource Center, 1-800-443-1399.

Sound good? For more information contact:
Klara Tammany or call 1-800-793-1687