I love to teach! It surprises me that I’d never said – even thought – this before yesterday. To tell the truth, I didn’t always enjoy teaching. It’s not that I disliked preparing for class or transmitting my knowledge to others; I was fine with the concept. I think my problem with teaching was that I felt I wasn’t that good at it.

Although the seminary spent a lot of time and effort equipping us to preach, they weren’t nearly so thorough when preparing us to teach. Although they required us to take classes on the psychology and philosophy of teaching, learning the art of teaching was largely experiential. My earliest teaching experiences seemed akin to throwing a non-swimming child into the deep end of the pool, expecting the poor kid to learn swimming to survive. As first year seminarians, we were given “Field Education” positions, that is, we were each assigned to a local (within 30 miles or so) church for the year. There we learned from the parish pastor as we assisted him (they were all men in those days in that locale) in his various pastoral tasks. Again, we were carefully trained in liturgical leadership, but teaching was another matter. Our Field Ed. supervisors armed us only with the current catechism curriculum as they sent us into the arena to face the lions (8th and 9th graders!). Here we were facing kids that were only about 10 years younger than we were, and it was pretty scary!

Teaching adults was equally frightening, though for most of us that experience was reserved for our internship, two years down the road. Behavioral problems were fewer, but it was still challenging answering difficult questions and holding everyone’s interest. With either audience, teaching was something to be learned on the job, not in the classroom.

Besides teaching catechism and first communion classes, teaching opportunities were fairly few in the early days after ordination. St. Paul’s, Vandergrift, PA was a congregation largely made up of steel workers and their families. Although many of my parishioners were bright, they weren’t academically oriented. Moreover, they didn’t want this college boy from the suburbs to think he was smarter than they were. Launches of Bible studies and other religious classes for adults fell like lead balloons at St. Paul’s. I finally found some success when I announced the Gourmet Bible Institute which promised dessert along with a study of Mark’s gospel. The first few classes were well-attended, especially by Vandergrift standards, but interest began to wane by session #4. Debbie and I found ourselves with just one other couple in attendance. When no one else showed up, we started on the dessert and raided the very modest parsonage liquor cabinet.

When, after 9 years in Vandergrift, I was called as the pastor of St. Matthias Lutheran Church in Greensburg, PA, I hoped to find more teaching opportunities. I learned, however, that one of the true pillars of the congregation – we’ll call her Vera (because that was her name!) – had a long-running Bible study. She was a delightful woman, a committed Christian, well-versed in both the Old and New Testaments, and not a little territorial! I found it best not to compete with her (she was a trusted ally in my controversial move to weekly communion at St. Matthias!). I really wasn’t until I arrived at St. Timothy in 1996 that I had an opportunity to teach.

When I did offer classes during my early years in Wayne, I was astounded by the reception. I never expected large classes, but that’s what I got. I’ve found over the years that I’m not always comfortable with published curricula, and I’ve found it helpful either to revise what’s already been done or to create my own. This can make preparation a major undertaking, and I fear that I’ve not always had (or taken) as much time as I’d like to churn out classroom material.

Another issue is that Christian education is often perceived as something either for the very young or for their grandparents. I realize that younger folks with families have a hard time committing to weekly – or even monthly – study. Still, I really enjoy teaching, and I’d like the opportunity to offer classes to a larger segment of the congregation. And, without wanting to blow my own horn, you really should take the opportunity to study the Bible with me while you can. I find it fun, and I think that most of my students do as well.

Let’s discuss ways of making Bible studies available to more members of our congregation. I know you’re busy, and I’m busy too, but it’s important work, and I’m sure we can find the time. Moreover, note that the classes I offer are not just for those over the age of 50. Every confirmed member (and even older kids who aren’t yet confirmed) will benefit from the classes I offer.

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay