The Experience of the Christian Educator
In the last blog, I spoke of the key role of a good Christian Educator in a healthy church. At the end of the blog, I suggested that though the position of Christian Educator is vital, many of them experience signs that people don’t value their work. Think of the Christian Educators you know and ask yourself how many of the following items might be true for them.
- They are frequently the low salaried person on the church professional
- Churches often hire an educator that is not ordained because they can pay them less and many presbyteries don’t have a required minimum salary for them.
- Unlike an ordained pastor, a church does not need to engage the presbytery if they want to fire that person.
- If there are interpersonal issues between an educator and a pastor, the pastor has the stronger advantage.
- While they are often more closely connected with children and youth in their spiritual journey, their lack of ordination prevents them from celebrating the Lord’s supper.
- They may be a critical factor in a young couple’s decision to have their child baptized, but they cannot baptize the child.
- While they may care deeply about the health of the larger church, they are not given a vote at presbytery meetings.
- It is rare for a presbytery to have an intentional plan to care for educators. If it happens, it is left to the individual congregation.
- They are not offered a tax-free housing allowance.
- Many churches do not provide as well appointed office space for their work as that offered ordained staff.
- What is an additional statement that you would ad
BUILDING COMMUNITY
If you are an educator, how many of these ten statements ring true for you or other educators with whom you associate? If you are a clergy person, are there ways that you can reinforce that value of the position of education? If you care about the importance of building community in the church, how can you draw upon the value of education and the skill of educators to build up the church?
I’m glad you’re publicizing the value of Christian Educators in the health of the church. I was the first Christian Educator in the Mebane Presbyterian church. It was a special time in my life, but every point you make in this article is true!!
Excellent points. I have felt that an educator was more important than a second ordained staff member where I have served! Thanks for you work.
I have an office; but the rest is true. Thank you for speaking on behalf of educators everywhere!
11. While they may teach elders, deacons, children, youth and adults about the meaning and importance of the “Lord’s Supper” They are not allowed to lead.
12. Many educators are not ordained as ruling elders.
13. There is no financial or organizational safety net for educators.
14. If they are a part of the POB plan they ultimately pay more to some of those “services” and are allows restricted access.
15. There is no official recognition of call.
16. There is no official recognition of retirement.
17. Even when the BBO states that presbyteries should set minimum standards for pay… most presbyteries ignore… or in the case of one in NC… covering a large city…. HUMMMMM… they openly declare that they will not comply and allow congregations to do whatever they want.
I have been extremely fortunate to have had a wonderful experience as DCE at my current position. I did go through the Cerification process. I encourage all educators to take continuing education classes! By doing so, you stay current and “up your value!”
Jenni
You are correct. I have been a Certified Educator for 27 years and an active part of APCE. However we have, as a church, completely failed our educators. Currently if you “up your value” too much you will find while many may say they want you… they will not express that with a living wage nor will they support you at the Presbytery level. Though they ask you to contribute a disproportionate amount of service and responsibility they do not afford an accompanying ability to make decisions or to control outcomes.
Jenni,
You are correct. Certification is a great thing to do.
I have been certified for 27 years and a an active part of APCE. When you “up your value” that does not and will not translate into additional support, better opportunities or more support. The church has failed educators. There is much to do to lift up opportunities to change and to keep speaking loudly enough to be recognized, heard and taken seriously. In the mean time we are becoming a vanishing breed.
Our wonderful educator, Diana O’Meara, died a couple of years ago. We chose not to hire anyone after that because our church has about 110 to 120 in worship and we have fewer children. We realize that, with volunteers, we have less time and attention focused on Christian Nurture. I’m curious how churches of our size support education and continue to provide opportunities for growth without paid leadership.
Just a thought. How about forming a task force of those with some experience in education and creating a plan to promote discipleship (education) in your church. When you have the plan ready to present to the church, present it in honor of Diana O’Meara and invite people to support the program — through volunteering, financial, and participation– in celebration of her contribution to the church?