[THE ANGLICAN CATECHIST A Column for Catechists or Teachers who share their Christian faith with children, youth and adults in congregations of the Episcopal Church.]

Paul Understood - At Least in Part 

Some days - perhaps just in November - it seems no one in the congregation appreciates the week by week dedication of the teaching staff who oft times are closeted with the children and youth while others are sharing coffee and conversation or even worship. Paul understood.

In his First Letter to Timothy, Paul stressed that "those who labor in preaching and teaching" should be "considered worthy of double honor" - or "doubly paid" in other translations (1 Tim 5.17)! It is not because of the time given. That's commendable, but putting in one's time is never deemed worthy of praise let alone "double honor". What makes teaching so special, so worthy, is the relationship between teaching and the total well-being not only of each individual, but of the whole Christian Community at well.

"In the Church, God has given the first place to apostles, the second to prophets, the third to teachers;" and after them the many other gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12.28). The apostle helps found and guide the community, the prophet helps discern where the Spirit is leading, and the teacher helps develop "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" so disciples can walk faithfully in "the way of the Lord". The Psalmist characterizes those who have not been well taught as "mules which have no understanding" and which must, therefore, be fitted with a bit and bridle in order to be led in the path of salvation, i.e. toward their true well-being (Psalm 32.9-10).

Catechists typically appreciate more than many parents the need for each child to have a firm foundation in the faith as the bedrock of their lives, learning which is more important than tennis or piano lessons, let alone Little League! It is out of such a heritage that men and women who taught others the spiritual basis of life became called "fathers" or "mothers" for indeed they give "life" to their spiritual children. In such a way Paul addressed Timothy as "true child of mine in the faith" (1 Tim 1.2).

Herein lies the frustration, for the theory and the practice differ widely. In many congregations the catechists are viewed as baby sitters who take care of the children so the real adult business of worship and coffee hour can take place with a minimum of disruption. Some older members even frown at the presence of children in Church much like the early disciples did when parents were bringing children to Jesus. "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them" Jesus rebuked his disciples (Mt. 19.14). And while were noting the teaching of Jesus, we might as well be reminded He stressed that who ever caused "one of these little ones who believe in me" (whether adult or child) to sin, "it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Mt 18.5-6). Something to think about before entering the classroom or frowning at children in Church!

If teaching is so important to the life of ourselves and our children, and to the life of the whole congregation, we simply must give a greater priority to what happens in the educational mission in the local church. Episcopalians have a tendency to be not only biblically illiterate, but also doctrinally ignorant as well. We spend more time discussing incense than the teachings of Jesus. Yet within each congregation there are both those who want to learn and those who are capable of teaching. And there are the faithful catechists who week after week loving profess their faith in the Lord in the midst of caulk dust and crayons. They are truly worthy of "double honor," as Paul understood. But Paul was a man of his own era, and he also told Timothy: "I am not giving permission for a woman to teach...." (1 Tim 2.12). Thanks be to God, Paul admitted as well that he and we see truth only in part or "in a mirror dimly" (1 Cor 13.) The Spirit has to set us free in each generation as we labor like Paul, "striving with all the energy which He mightily inspires" within us "to make the word of God fully known" (Col 1.24-29).

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