Ideas for CE Dedication?
Friday, September 7th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under
It’s that time of year again, time to dedicate (or whatever term you want to use) our Christian Education students, teachers, programs, etc. Does anyone have any good Emerging ideas for ways to do this? I could do the same old litany and that would be fine, I guess. But I would like to do something different. Any thoughts?
Comment by Jan Edmiston on 14 September 2007:
Tom - I’ve been watching this to see what comments might come, but here it is a week later with no imparted wisdom/fabulous new ideas.
We forwent (?) “Rally Day” - or whatever back-to-Sunday-School thing we used to do because we basically don’t have “Sunday School” anymore. Small groups are more appealing and feel more like community-building activities than the typical class/Bible study.
Our former Director of CE said in his recent exit interview that he was great planning programs, but not so hot at disciple-making. People for generations have come to classes to be 1) entertained, 2) educated (in the same way one would be better educated watching The Discovery Channel), 3) doctrinally informed (told “what we believe” and “what we don’t believe” as orthodox Presbyterian Christians.
These days, people seem hungry for a message that changes things. And we want community.
You can be in a Bible study with someone for a whole year and not know her/him if there is no intentional community-building.
So maybe this is why nobody has much to say about dedicating students and teachers. We want more.
Comment by Mark on 14 September 2007:
Well put, Jan.
Comment by ryan pappan on 17 September 2007:
What about a service of serving. Engage in worship that is silent and vulnerable. Perhaps a Word that speaks to the need to reform and be transformed by the gospel.
I imagine the gathering meditating as the Word is processed in to the sanctuary. The sanctuary is dark. When the Word is placed on the lectern the light of the Word illuminates the sanctuary.
There is a hymn or song sung of thanksgiving that is set in a contemplative mood. Then the corporate elements of prayer, confession, pardon. Perhaps the passing of the peace could be in silence. Using body language and intentional glances of ones eyes.
The reading of the Word, perhaps in a lectio divina style.
Then the sermon.
other elements in silence…
the charge that as given folks are asked to look to the font and remember their baptism.
The entire congregation could be asked to stand the entire service as well [as able]?
Just a little brain storm.