My spouse and I recently visited a community in which we lived some years ago.  We had been anticipating the visit because it was the opportunity to re-connect with some old friends and visit some of those old stompin’ grounds.  When we arrived, the first thing we noticed is how much construction had gone on.  In fact, we both commented that we weren’t sure where we were for a few minutes.  And it led to at least a momentary sensation of disorientation, confusion and fear.  Fortunately we quickly identified some of the familiar landmarks, and the disorientation passed.  But even those brief moments of confusion and fear were not pleasant.  And it made the meetings with each of our long-time friends all the sweeter!

            I tell you this because it seems to be a lot like what many organizations like SACEM are experiencing these days.  In the past six months the SACEM board has twice spent significant time looking at the changing landscape surrounding continuing education and lifelong learning.  Some of the things we’ve noticed include:

• An awareness that continuing education and lifelong learning aren’t necessarily the same

• New sets of challenges, including learning challenges, facing clergy

• Shifting of many leadership roles to lay persons

• New challenges facing institutionally-based continuing education centers

• Emergence of a new generation of lifelong learning providers

• The impacts of cyberspace on learning habits and styles

• Growing awareness of the global, multi-cultural contexts of ministry

• Ministry contexts that require self-directed learning

• New issues of accountability and assessment in lifelong learning

• The different roles the faith community plays in a post-modern culture

• An emergent church that is working successfully with young adults

            Elsewhere in this issue of the newsletter you’ll read about some of the ways in which the board has been responding to these “noticings.”  They include enhancing the website to create multiple entry points for different kinds of users, opportunity for community building and discussion, an e-bookstore and possible development of an e-journal.  I hope you’ll take a look at those very promising plans and developments. 

            I hope you’ll also take note of the exciting plans for the 2008 annual SACEM Gathering in Columbus, Ohio.  As I said above, when my spouse and I visited our old home town, there was some real comfort in identifying the landmarks.  They reoriented us.  But the real sweetness of the trip was being together with old friends.  I’ll look forward to being with you, old friends and new alike, in Columbus.

Dick Bruesehoff, President