In times of change learners inherit the earth
while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped
to deal with a world that no longer exists.
(Eric Hoffer, 1973, p. 32)
Call it what you want: continuing education, spiritual formation, lifelong learning, or non credit learning, the work of those associated with the Society for the Advancement of Continuing Education in Ministry (SACEM) is changing. Older traditional approaches are becoming more problematic and new challenges are emerging. Programs and topics that once generated large enthusiastic audiences are waning. Educational institutions are insisting that the non-credit parts of their programs generate more revenue and control expenses, difficult in the best of times with participants who often have limited incomes.
In today’s time of economic challenge, most
organizations working in non credit learning have to do more with fewer
resources and work harder to satisfy the growing needs of diverse
constituency groups. The Internet promises new challenges and
opportunities for teaching and learning, program planning and
publicity. In today’s global, multi-cultural environment with its
heightened awareness of contextual diversity, it is hard to design
learning events that can address the complex needs represented by
participants. In addressing these challenges there are no silver
bullets, much less golden parachutes. In today’s world we are all
learners, maybe even novices, and learning takes persistence and hard
work.
Addressing the challenges of sustaining vital pastoral leadership in a
study sponsored by Pulpit and Pew , Jackson Carroll observed that
“those who practice excellent pastoral leadership… are not so much a
‘learned’ clergy as a ‘learning’ clergy” (p. 214). Carroll goes on to
say: “The willingness to be a learner, formally and informally, is, I
believe, a sine qua non of excellent pastoral leadership, and will only
grow in importance” (p. 215). The same could be said about continuing
educators.
We live in a time of extraordinary change, and in such times of change
there are no experts, only learners. Because of the magnitude of change
it is no longer possible, if it ever was, for one person, program or
institution to learn fast enough or broadly enough to be effective.
Collaboration is no longer just a nice idea; it is essential to
survival. That is why I am part of SACEM and I suspect that is true for
most of you as well.
Although we are considering other possibilities, such as an online
journal, to enhance the learning opportunities available through SACEM,
at this point we use the Continuing Educator, the SACEM website, and
our annual conference to facilitate our learning and professional
development. Elsewhere in this issue you will read more about the 2009
SACEM Conference. Each year we come together in our annual conference
to learn together to conduct our craft of lifelong learning for
ministry more effectively and faithfully. I believe that each of us
brings important experiences, data, and ideas to the table. Together we
can learn ways to strengthen our practice as continuing educators that
we could never learn alone, or in our particular denominational or
institutional communities of practice. Your involvement in our work is
important as we learn how we can help to strengthen the practice of
ministry for pastors and church leaders in our changing world. I hope
you will plan to join us in March 2009 in Atlanta.
References:
Hoffer, E. (1973). Reflections on the Human Condition. Titusville, NJ:
Hopewell Publications.
Jackson Carroll, 2006, God’s Potters: Pastoral Leadership and the Shaping of Congregations. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans.
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