Christian Education

Once a year, The United Methodist Church encourages congregations to celebrate the influence of Christian education in people’s lives. At a time set by your annual conference, your congregation can observe Christian Education Sunday and Christian Education Week. The materials in this PDF leaflet (available in English, Spanish and Korean) offer a number of ways to lift up the importance of the church’s ministry of teaching and learning. This year’s theme is Partners in Faith Formation and Discipleship: Pastors Are Key Leaders in Vital Christian Formation.

An archive of 2013 ITeach Newsletters.

Like many generations of parents, today's parents are usually preoccupied with a daily struggle to ensure that their children have food, clothing, and shelter, as well as love. Even with easier access to resources and information, the time needed to provide stimulating experiences that foster optimal brain development may not seem realistic. Young children need direct interaction with parents and caregivers, time with quality toys and manipulatives, and the opportunity to explore and experiment with their environment.

The United Methodist Church has a process for approving curriculum for use with Sunday school classes and small groups. Material is identified for each age level. That material is recommended by the Curriculum Resources Committee and approved by the board members of the General Board of Discipleship.  

This workshop model was created by the Christian education staff specialists of the General Board of Discipleship. At the end of this approximately 2 1⁄2-hour session, teachers will have Received information on teaching in the congregation Explored reasons for teaching Learned ways to increase effectiveness Assessed their own knowledge in the areas covered in the What Every Teacher Needs to Know leaflets Gained information and knowledge in at least two areas covered in the leaflets  

The  purpose of this document is to help congregations as they develop standards as part of a comprehensive plan to invite people and communities to know and experience God through Jesus Christ, to claim and live God’s promises, and to grow and serve as Christian disciples. 

Number 4 in the series, “Pathways to Congregational Vitality.”  Clear expectations and standards are crucial for teachers and leaders, but we also need a foundation in place that supports those standards.  

Vital congregations engage in a ministry of Christian education and formation through small groups and classes. The pastor and key laity are crucial leaders, equippers, and advocates. Establishing measures helps to evaluate this ministry and keep it strong. This is the second article in the series, "Pathways to Congregational Vitality."  

Vital congregations engage in a holistic ministry that brings together the "pillars" -- Christian education and formation, evangelism, stewardship, and worship -- to serve each other in the whole process of disciple-making. This is the first article in the series, "Pathways to Congregational Vitality."  

What does it mean to be spiritually formed and how do I get there?