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Volume 5 issue 9 |
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In history, the church functioned in the community as a religious centre: the focal point of celebrations such as baptisms, marriages, and deaths. People moved infrequently between parishes so the church was also a gathering place for folks to come together as a community of like-minded friends. Today, in our transient world, people rarely have a connection to one church or one community for life. As well, in the 21st century, people are increasingly looking for their community of friends outside of the church in secular associations. Finding a balance between the church as a religious centre and a social community still exists. It is not surprising to learn that there are people within the church today who attend for the sake of community, not because of their religious commitment. It should not be surprising then to find that there are those who attend church but are ‘illiterate’ when it comes to understanding and articulating their beliefs. Many Canadians believe there is a God and would not hesitate to dust off |
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the Bible and call on God in difficult times, but without a relationship with God, those prayers and readings are soon forgotten. The question to be asked then is why would someone choose the church community of friends instead of a secular one? The answer I feel, is found in churches that teach a set of Christian beliefs that are held in common among the members of that church. Teaching Congregants to understand and to articulate their belief based on the Bible has become the mission of the 21st century church. Instruction must begin early, with the children learning scripture, the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed. Passionate teachers are the key to effective learning environments. George F. Kneller in Introduction to the Philosophy of Education, states that “according to Buber, to be effective, a teacher must first become familiar with the subject to be taught and let it become ‘part of his inner experience’ so that he can share his own experience with the student” (p 81). Gregory the Illuminator (257-331 AD), was an example of a passionate teacher who was able to convince the King of Armenia as well as the nation in sixty-two days to convert to Christianity. How passionate are Christians about their |
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beliefs today and have they had an experience to be passionate about? A church that knows what they believe is a church that has been mentored by a passionate teacher. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) is an example of such learning. Although he studied philosophy, wisdom and truth at the University of Carthage, it was not until he met Bishop Ambrose that Augustine learned to read the Bible with understanding. If a scholar and student of Philosophy did not understand scripture until he received instruction, how can we expect ordinary church folk to gain meaning from the Bible without mentoring? I am sure that Augustine would say that one hour on Sunday morning and a mid-week Bible Study is only the beginning to understanding scripture and internalizing our Christian beliefs. (An excerpt from a paper submitted to Wycliffe College, U of T.) Submitted by Dona Simpson |
