For many engaged in the work of lifelong learning and professional continuing education, this time of year is our “bread and butter” time.  We’re engaged, day-by-day, in the business of lifelong learning.  There may be a time when it was not so, but for each of us, we need to attend to this business.  The expectation placed on many of our organizations is that they will be at least self-sustaining, if not profit-generating.  Fortunately, many of us are also finding that the learners we’re working with have become accustomed to paying for good learning experiences.  The addition of a growing number of people who are not employed by church organizations, but who are seeking substantial theological education, is also making it easier to attend to the business.  But attend we must.

            I want to encourage you once again to take advantage of the opportunity to “come apart for a time” that the upcoming SACEM Annual Conference.  This is our opportunity to gather with colleagues for the kind of learning, encouragement and refreshment that we’ve come to expect from each other.

Dr. Mary Hess, author of Engaging Technology in Theological Education and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Luther Seminary, will be a keynote speaker for the 40th Anniversary SACEM Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, February 15-17, 2008. (See also Interview with Dr. Mary Hess )

The 2008 Annual Gathering of SACEM members and others interested in lifelong learning for ministry will be held at the Blackwell Hotel and Conference Center on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus.