CONTINUING EDUCATION SURVEY

1) What areas of education do you see to be of importance for ministry in your own congregation (e.g., conflict resolution, visioning, youth and family ministry, Christian education)?

#1 – visioning, youth and family ministry

#2 – Multiple staff functioning in the large church; long term visioning for larger churches.

#3 – worship, education.

#4 – I’m doing fine personally, but the biggest and most important gap in our seminary training is conflict resolution – either within a congregation or congregation vs. pastor.

#5 – visioning.

#6 – conflict resolution and visioning – the trick is, “how to get the ideas from the theoretical to the practical.”

#7 - Circled visioning, youth and family ministry, and Christian education. Then added “studies of Scripture, the Confessions, and the doctrine of the church.”

#8 (one pastor) - “I need to speak to speak fluent Spanish. I believe that I would also benefit from seminars on growing and administrating churches from people who are actually administrating growing churches.

#9 – Adult discipleship, life transformation and leadership development and team-based ministry for laity.

#10 – Visioning, confirmation ministry, young adult ministry.

#11 – Lack of resources for busy people to use—need CD for our listening; training in how to interpret change in culture for mission opportunities. See T. Friedman, The Earth is Flat (major shift in world economy) and Goldman, Emotional Intelligence (a measure of social maturity.

#12 – Making connections between life in God’s kingdom, God’s calling into mission with the resources of people place in order to live fully and faithfully in this context.

#13 – Adult education/formation; visioning: long-range planning; worship/evangelism; youth.

#14 – the introduction of the new hymnal, family ministry, materials for small groups, visioning process (which we will do this coming fall). Also, an emphasis on time and talent stewardship.

#15 – Stewardship and youth/family ministry are perhaps the top two.

#16 – Bible study, prayer.

#17 – Evangelism, discipleship, Bible.

#18 – Visioning.

#19 – Stewardship as basis for preaching Gospel with congregation participation (each fall, Metro Chicago Synod has an event for pastors focused on preaching in the afternoon and then expanded for congregational participation based on the importance of stewardship in congregational living).

#20 – Leadership development – visionary; Scripture and theology.

#21 – Successful transition from pastoral size congregation (less than 200 worshippers per week) to program size congregation (more than 250).

#22 - Getting off from the next plateau 200/400/600.

#23 – Visioning (we are growing); youth and family ministry (we have a very young congregation), and Christian education (we need to always teach the gospel in new and creative ways).

#24 – Adult education, conforming to Christ, saintly fellowship, and stewardship of life—talents, skills, and possessions.

#25 Understanding what our congregation does well and building on that. Visioning and long range planning is always important.

#26 Council and other leaders: equipping and preparing new leaders. Some of this is being done at the LEAD events.

#27 – I see a need for updated information on church governance and organizational structure within congregations.

#28 – Circled “visioning” and “youth.” Also mentioned “contemporary worship” and “leadership training.”

#29 – Circled “conflict resolution” and “visioning” and “youth and family ministry” and “Christian education.” Added: sexism in the call process (in congregation, call committees, staff) and age-ism (in congregation, call committees, staff).

#30 - Ministry in rural congregations; preaching in context.

#31 – Underlined “visioning” and “youth and family ministry” and “Christian education.” Added: personal spiritual issues (prayer, faith development in tough times) and death and dying is still around.

#32 - Visioning, Stewardship (especially financial), and creative ministry (in worship, drama, teaching).

#33 – Visioning.

#34 – Areas of education for the congregation: I believe St. John’s needs two things: 1) Courage to face adversity or hope rather than fear, and 2) Ability to move quickly from the past into future possibilities or agility. I am not sure if “education” is the right venue to accomplish those things. But I applaud the synod lay leadership development efforts to enhance visionary lay leadership.

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Observations – Education needs for congregation’s ministry

• Examples offered – visioning (16), youth & family ministry (9), education (8), and conflict resolution (3).
• Other topics mentioned: worship (4), scripture study (4), stewardship (4), leadership development (3), church administration (3), evangelism (2), adult discipleship (2) prayer (2) preaching (2); mentioned once were multiple staff functioning, Confessions, doctrine of church, Spanish, Confirmation ministry, young adult ministry, changes in culture (for mission), introduction of new hymnal, small groups ministry, theology, sexism/ageism in the call process, rural ministry, and death/dying.
• Suggestion: Production of CDs for listening by busy pastors/lay leaders.

2) What areas of education would enhance your personal growth as a rostered leader (e.g., spirituality, wellness, leadership)?

#1 – church growth, ministry in a busy society

#2 – pace of life and work-related commitments, finding balance.

#3 – leadership, spiritual growth.

#4 – I am already participating in a two-year spiritual formation continuing education program.

#5 – no comments

#6 – any seminar in leadership would be helpful; Bible study – can’t get too much Bible study – how about a “read a book with the Bishop” (gather in various locations or online to discuss a single book/topic).

#7 (one pastor) – I participate in the Pastor-Theologian program with the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, NJ. I’d like to do more with liturgy and music.

#8 – Same as above.

#9 – A structured leadership development course, possibly leading toward an advanced degree, i.e., D.Min. – maybe in partnership with a seminary.

#10 – the prophetic books for the OT, staff management.

#11 – Handle on how to read and interpret the changes in our culture, which surround our members and often carry us like driftwood. How do we exercise “self direction”? How to practice “spiritual discipline” in our hectic, demanding culture?

#12 – Deepening my understanding of what the theology of the cross means in this context and living it out as witnesses.

#13 – Wellness and leadership.

#14 – Ministry tools are always helpful. Biblical and theological pursuits enhance personal growth.

#15 – Spirituality and making significant time for prayer and reflection would be good enhancers.

#16 – No comments.

#17 – Leadership, evangelism, preaching.

#18 – Pastoral care.

#19 – No comment.

#20 – Scripture – Theology; spirituality – leadership.

#21 – Spirituality; small group leadership; future church.

#22 – Emerging worship.

#23 – Theological seminars and retreats.

#24 – computer and/or internet expertise.

#25 – Leadership. How to develop leaders and reinforce their presence in the midst of the congregation.

#26 – Personal and congregational coaching and affirming group. I’m in one currently, through 2007, which does some of this.

#27 – I would like to see some opportunities to discuss theological issues in some depth (e.g., world religions and interfaith efforts).

#28 (signed but can’t read name) – Circled “leadership” – golf clinic for bishop (+ with).

#29 – No comment.

#30 – Biblical studies, leadership.

#31 – Computer use.

#32 – Leadership; Christology and ecclesiology in a pluralistic age.

#33 – Spirituality.

#34 – I would find these things valuable for me personally: 1) I’ve spent the last year reviewing my Greek language skills for New Testament Study, and I have felt deeply enriched by that, especially since this year we did a one year overview of the Bible rather than the lectionary for worship. So one thing I would appreciate is some time with other pastors reflecting on the Biblical source; 2) The year before, I spent time with members of our congregation visiting small, urban, mission centered congregations in Chicago, Baltimore, and New York similar to us to find out what they were doing and learning from them. These three trips with congregational members were deeply personally enriching for me. I think that learning what other people are doing in similar settings and the struggles they too face is personally uplifting. And I think learning alongside the congregation is good for all of us; and 3) I probably should not confess this (in the light of the next question), but whenever I go away to an event, for some time, I just go off by myself and think. Sometimes I make notes, sometimes I resolve some things, and sometimes I just need to think about God. Don’t you think that God is a rather baffling thing at times? Anyway, I believe that I have a personal and professional need for more time to think without any preconceived direction.

Observations – Areas of education to enhance personal growth as rostered leader?

• Again, two of the topics offered as examples received frequent mention – spirituality/spiritual formation (7) and leadership (10). Wellness was mentioned only once (but there was mention of ministry in a busy society and keeping a balance in living).
• Some pastors mentioned serious bible study and theological topics – bible study (5) and theology (6), including the theology of the cross and Christology and ecclesiology in a pluralistic society. One wants to know more about world religions.
• Other topics mentioned: liturgy/worship/music (2), use of computers/internet (2), and one mention of the following: church growth, administering a growing congregation, staff management, Spanish, evangelism, changes in the culture, preaching, pastoral care, small group ministry, future church, coaching groups, and relearning Greek.

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3) Knowing that rostered leaders are required to participate in continuing education, which of the following areas of learning are of greatest interest/importance to you or your congregational setting?

(Please feel free to add ideas for workshops in each area)

______ Bible and Tradition: Biblical and Theological topics

______ Church: Topics regarding church life and faithful daily living

______ Public Theology: Societal and global issues needing theological reflection and engagement by the church.

#1 – Ranked the above: 1^st Church, 2^nd Bible & Tradition, and 3^rd Public Theology.

#2 – Checked: only Church.

#3 – Checked: only Church

#4 – Checked: only Church (conflict resolution could come under this).

#5 – Checked: only Church

#6 - Checked: Bible & Tradition (Wartburg is an hour away; their Tri-State Forum is excellent; other ways of having faculty and clergy gather would be good) and Public Theology (rural ministry – confronting “conservative theology”; being Gospel people in this place; get Jim Wallis from Sojourners here or maybe at Synod Assembly).

#7 – Checked: all three categories and added: Participating in a continuing conversation with other clergy on theological and biblical issues, maybe a book study; and verbatim.

#8 (one pastor) – Checked: all three and then commented “These are all important but honestly, one of the helpful things for me might simply be a how-to seminar on effective options for learning and presenting the Gospel with the technological tools that are available, including accurate analysis of how ordinary people use and respond to these tools. Things are changing so quickly it is hard to keep up.”

#9 - Checked: Bible and then added: “Church renewal and multiplication/planting.”

#10 – Checked: only Bible and Tradition.

#11 – Ranked the above: 1^st Public Theology, 2^nd Church, and 3^rd Bible and Tradition.

#12 – Each of these is of great importance and interest to me. This is one reason I enjoy being a pastor. “Public Theology and Witness” is probably the greatest interest.

#13 – Ranked the above: 1^st Public Theology, 2^nd Bible & Tradition, and 3^rd Church. In particular, the growing gap between wealthy and poor, and the health care issue – and how the global economy relates to this trend—and unrest and terrorism.

#14 – Ranked the above: 1^st Church, 2^nd Bible & Tradition, and 3^rd Public Theology.

#15 – Personal favorite is “Bible and Tradition” – including church history; and the congregation’s need is “faithful daily living” under “Church.”

#16 – Checked “Bible & Tradition” and “Church” plus “Leadership.” Comment: I’m not expecting the Synod to do our planning. I appreciate your concern, but these matters are best left to individual churches.

#17 – Checked: only “Church.”

#18 – Checked: only “Bible and Tradition” (preaching in a postmodern culture).

#19 – Checked: only “Bible and Tradition” – healing stories as process for community wholeness. Shalom as congregational identity; shalom/peace as basis for reaching out to others.

#20 – Ranked the above: 1^st Bible and Tradition (new hymnal), 2^nd Public Theology, and 3^rd Church (affirmative inquiry, utilize Tentmakers events). Additional comment: Budget for Cluster groups to develop continuing ed. Events that others are invited to attend; join with CCL in providing and developing such events.

#21 – Checked: only “Church.”

#22 – Mentioned three: Spiritual empowered lay leadership, Evangelism in the 21^st century, and Post-modernism.

#23 – Ranked the above: 1^st Bible & Tradition; 2^nd Church, and 3^rd Public Theology.

#24 – Under Bible & Tradition: importance of historic faith and importance of historic liturgy (Lex Orandi and Lex Credendi); under Church: Word and Sacrament, funerals and marriages, Catechetics, and first communion; under Public Theology: hunger, Aids, wealth, poverty; natural resources; church/state issues; under “Social Ministry”: practical solutions and actions; food cupboards, housing, literacy, mental health, handicap issues, and racism/prejudices.

#25 – Checked: both “Bible & Tradition” and “Church.”

#26 – Checked: only “Bible & Tradition” – the issues and creativity which authors like Kelly Fryer deal with are refreshing and well received.

#27 – Checked: only “Bible & Tradition.”

#28 – Ranked the above: 1^st Bible & Tradition, 2^nd Church, and 3^rd Public Theology. Comments: “Communicating our identity vis-à-vis other denominations” (a national or regional ad campaign would be helpful).

#29 – Checked: both “Bible & Tradition” and “Public Theology.”

#30 – Checked: only “Bible & Tradition.”

#31 – Checked: all three areas.

#32 – Checked: “Bible & Tradition” (Christology, Scripture in other faith traditions) and “Public Theology” (How the local church can enhance the common good in the immediate community; how the local church can engage the local structures of community life)>

#33 – Checked: “Bible & Theology” and “Public Theology.”

#34 – I think that workshops and conferences are often dead and that it is an incorrect assumption to think that much growth, learning, and education takes place at these things. I think that the current funding mechanisms for these events subtly creates official theology and reduces the capacity of clergy to think independently. And I think that requiring people to attend official events for points is a form of cultural control. So I try to avoid these things as much as possible. (There, I said it, and I know that I overstated the position.)

That being said, I did register for the rural ministry conference in Dubuque the first week in March. Why would I do that when I am in one of the most urban congregations of the synod? Because the library is over there, because sometimes I get tired of the urban ecclesiastical rhetoric and want to learn how others are looking at things, because it was the only conference I have seen that has speakers focused on hope in discouraging circumstances, because once in awhile I want to get out of Madison, and I want to drive on that new highway down by Belmont.

Still, if I am to take seriously my own need for professional development in light of the fact that I am required to do so, the think I need most is someone to talk over with me two long new books which I am still digesting (O.C. Edwards, A History of Preaching and Diarrmaid MacCulloch, The Reformation: A History). I’m not sure a workshop is what I need for these, and both would make bad workshop topics. What I need is a way to hook up with someone else who is reading and also has some questions about these things.

Over the long haul, I would not emphasize the conference and workshop thing but continuing enrichment programs that fostered individual reading, study, and reflection; time in small groups reading books together; library projects at the seminary; travel opportunities to interesting congregations; peer review of problematic situations and challenges; systematic sharing by clergy of successes, challenges and unintended outcomes; and basic skills reviews.

Anyway, thanks for your interest in continuing education needs of persons in our synod, and may the peace of this season fill our hearts and world.

Observations

• Seven pastors ranked the three areas, with the following results: Bible & tradition (16), church (14) and public theology (12). Those who simply mentioned one or more categories without a ranking are as follows: Bible & tradition (16), church (11), and public theology (8).
• A number of specific items were mentioned: health care issue, gap between rich & poor, faithful daily living, preaching in a postmodern culture, healing stories for health in the congregations, spiritual empowerment of lay leadership, postmodernism, evangelism, and Kelly Fryer’s books.
• Mention of CCL’s working with Cluster Groups.
• Possibilities: clergy conversation (& book discussion) groups; online conversation (www. myfamily.com), bible study groups.

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