Teaching with Powerpoint and other forms of electronic media work well.Ģ. Here are some things I’m learning along the way:ġ. Since that time, my adult education class has never been the same-we keep it real and we keep it lively. If this comes as a surprise to you, then perhaps you need to read Table Talk and then invite your pastor over for fried chicken and beer (two things that Martin especially enjoyed). As Lutherans, we have a proud heritage through our namesake in the arena of earthy theology. If we think that God doesn’t ruminate on these issues, then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Oh, and it helps to know that God created penguins too, which is more proof of the Almighty’s divine funny-bone. And they need to hear most of all that they aren’t alone and that God is alive and well. They learn about human nature by sharing parenting and marital ups and downs (the husband who grudgingly volunteered to read a passage from Song of Solomon to his wife was especially touching). They celebrate creation in new ways by contemplating the life and times of the dung beetle, for instance. I quickly discovered that people love to learn when laughing is involved. But then again, wasn’t Martin Luther a bit edgy too? I warned them that this was an unusual book that didn’t mince words. I was amazed and anxiety-ridden to see 30 people show up that first Sunday. I developed Powerpoint presentations and away we went. Our souls intersected at a place designated as “slightly off-the-beaten-path” humor. I advertised it as a “not typical” adult education course and began corresponding with the author via e-mail. I read it in an hour and decided then and there (before I lost my nerve) to develop a class around it. “Keep it real,” as my youth group kids like to remind me.īy pure coincidence (read: Spirit), I stumbled across a book called Penguins, Pain, and the Whole Shebang by John Shore (Seabury Books, 2005 available from This little book packs a walloping slice of real Christians dealing with real issues. But I felt the need to do something a little more edgy-a little less preachy and a little more down to earth. The Lutheran Course had resonated well with the dozen or so folks who attended that fall. So in December 2005, in the joyous melee we call Advent, I was casting about for something good to teach in the next semester of adult education. The standard evil/free will doctrine seemed like a cheap rationalization at the time. 16, 2001-40 people sat before me, wanting to know why God would allow something so horrible as Sept. The first was when I announced a Bible study on Revelation (when they realized I wasn’t interested in interpreting the text like the Left Behind guys, the numbers decreased dramatically). Over the years I can remember two Sundays when I had more than 15 people in attendance. I love them because they know as much, if not more, about the Bible than I do, yet they continue to suffer patiently through my lessons, warped sense of humor and occasional misinterpretation of Lutheran theology or Scripture. About five people show up for whatever program or Bible study I put on the table. I love to teach, but it doesn’t come naturally. But, by and large, my time in this place continues to be a blessing to me and my family.Įxcept for Sunday school (or more specifically, adult education). Oh, there are the prerequisite grumpy Lutherans who expect their pastor to have the energy of a teenager and the experience of a senior citizen. John Lutheran in Dundee, Mich., is a very forgiving congregation. I’ve made and owned up to enough mistakes to feel seasoned, which makes me even more vulnerable to making bigger ones that hamper Christ’s ministry in this church.įortunately, St. It’s a dangerous time for me as a pastor.
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