Faithful Gestures: Rebooting the Educational Mission of the Church

Abstract

The authors contend that two haunting conditions foster frailty within the North American church's efforts at educating its adherents—first, the curious gap in theological education segregating clergy and laity; and second, an American-style penchant slouching toward unchecked pragmatism. An analysis of the obstacles that spring from these conditions is offered. Finally, the authors articulate a distinctive educational philosophy of Christian education and propose four distinctive, although not new, theological “tent posts” to guide professors and church leaders in conceptualizing how God's people might be better educated in faith for the 21st century.