The Pastor as Educator
by Diana L. Hynson

The "parson" in the "olden days" was so called because he was likely the only "parson" in the village or town who had an education, at least beyond the rudiments. He was looked to as the resident scholar and by default, if no other reason, was the one the other residents could count on for a learned opinion. The parson had an obligation to make his education available to the other villagers.

As a pastor who just loves educational ministry, I find that exciting. When I served the local church, I discovered that my congregation really enjoyed having an opportunity to go beyond what they got on their own from Bible reading. In my first appointment to a cluster of Baltimore City churches many years ago, my formal education far exceeded the average attainment of most of my parishioners, and it was fun for them (and for me) to get some new insights and nuggets of information that they had not before heard or considered. I say this not to suggest that my education made me in some way better than they or that it was a power or ego thing to see them "sit at my feet," as it were. We just had a good time taking advantage of a gift within the parish — my theological education. I shared it in a way that was accessible and comfortable, and we learned and grew together in a safe environment. As a young adult then, I must say that I also took advantage of their gifts of wisdom. Learning works both ways when it works well.

When good folk have an opportunity to think and grow theologically, they make meaning of what their own call to discipleship is all about. They have the tools to reflect thoughtfully about God's claim on their lives, about what their baptism means, about the vagaries and difficulties that life dishes out, about their future and the kind of legacy they want to leave their family and community. As we seek to build a sensitive and strong discipleship system within the church so that we can fulfill God's call to help make disciples, one of the gifts and strengths we have is the benefit of the pastor's shared theological education.

So why do so few pastors take an active role in the educational life of the congregation? On Sunday morning, one obvious constraint is time and scheduling. For most of my local church service, I was obligated to be in worship when the Sunday school groups were meeting, either because the one church had multiple worship services or because I was splitting my morning between churches, each one having worship when the other had Sunday school. Solo pastors may have little choice in such a situation, but the creative use of lay speakers and liturgists can certainly free up some of the clergy staff. And that still leaves most of the rest of the week.

I find teaching to be a lot of fun because it also happens to be among what I consider to be my gifts. Perhaps teaching is not your gift. That's okay. There is still the opportunity for advocacy; for lifting up the importance of Christian education and formation; for celebrating the calling of others to an educational ministry; for working to find high quality, dedicated teachers and small-group leaders for the various classes and groups. Pastors, I encourage you to consider your role as "parson" and to build up the system of discipleship in your congregation by taking seriously the gifts and abilities you bring to the ministry of Christian education and formation. You are in a unique position to advocate for and to champion the teachers and leaders of your church and to help them learn and grow in spirit and in knowledge. When they are well equipped, their influence is felt over the entire life of the congregation. How exciting to take up that mantle!

Diana L. Hynson (dhynson@gbod.org) is the Director of Learning and Teaching Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship. She is an elder in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference and a Sunday school teacher at Edgehill United Methodist Church in Nashville.

Posted 11-8-04


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