First, the Session held a Monday evening special session meeting. The meeting was to discuss the recent youth and advisor policy and some of the actions and issues surrounding it. No need for the details here but the evening was a very difficult one. People were hurting, angry, frustrated, and remorseful. The redeeming and grace filled part of the evening for me was that we were talking and listening like a loving family! (Albeit an upset one.) The Session admitted making some mistakes and laid out a course of action to adjust the policy and work toward reconciliation. It’s up to all of us to support our Session and help them fulfill their promises. If we approach this honestly and faithfully we will end up with a sound implementation plan that will significantly enhance the safety of our children as well as forming a stronger Christian bond between us all.
On Wednesday the University of Faith team found out one of the previous classes wanted to get back together in their old form during Sunday school hour. I personally found this disappointing. The UofF team has tried very hard to listen to the expressed needs and establish an open and flexible Sunday school hour. The survey comments collected after the first quarter indicated the majority of folks were pleased with the arrangements. The decision by this class came as a surprise to me. I wish they had been more forthcoming in the survey process to allow the team to make other adjustments. I understand the desire for nurturing Christian relationships and, in that regard, this is a good thing. I guess I, and I think the team, had different objectives for the Sunday school hour. Sunday morning worship and Sunday school time is the prime time for us to invite and welcome guests into our Christian family. We felt the flexibility and variety would be an asset to providing a more comfortable entry environment for our guests rather than trying to mix into a well established group. I felt the small community group opportunities would be more effective at times other than Sunday morning. I guess we didn’t do a very good job of promoting other avenues for what I call nurture groups. It was just too big a job for the UofF team alone. Well, I know I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Akaloo class and will pray for guidance during the summer session in discerning the future shape of UofF and the Sunday school hour. We could always use some more input, help, and teachers!
Looking forward in Faith, Dave
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Here's an excerpt from my UofF resignation email of August 27, 2008:
I also don't think we've quite yet nailed down the basic function of Sunday school. (Or we have but left a number of frayed edges?) I will continue to mull this over and keep my ear open for the Spirit but I need to step away from the regular duties of coming up with classes to do that.
From the outset the team has faithfully attempted to address the most urgent need and demand of providing varied, interesting, and flexible educational choices. In doing so it reluctantly, but realistically, set aside other traditional aspects of "Sunday School" in the hopes these aspects would be picked up in other ways. This was done at a time when traditional Sunday School leadership within the classes was seriously flagging, with several classes folding or seriously diminishing. The team has identified a number of times that "Sunday School" implies much more than just education or Discipleship. There is also a general, traditional expectation of Nurture and Fellowship. Unfortunately the team has not been able to tackle this broad goal and has not been able to foster any support across those three committees. The team either needs help from all three committees; Discipleship, Nurture, and Fellowship; or these three committees need to address jointly how they affect Faith's community life in an integrated way and better define the "Sunday School" piece. Right now UofF, in some ways, is an easy target for disatisfaction across that broader goal, which it was never equiped to handle.
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