Goals for Christian Education

At the April voters’ meeting of Emmanuel Lutheran Church I presented an outline of Christian education goals for the congregation. Here is the text from a pamphlet I am working on:

The Gospel

of Christ rescues and renews human souls.

It is the heart and center of the Christian faith. Therefore, out of respect for peoples’ eternal souls, we at Emmanuel Lutheran Church maintain an absolute, unrelenting focus on forgiveness and the means by which Christ promises it.

 

 

We know that people—at school, at work, or wherever—are constantly confronted by personal and corporate “bait and switch” hypocrisy, so we strive to teach the Christian faith with historic authenticity: straight-up, no gimmicks. We know that Christ calls the church to be “in the world but not of the world.” Thus, like our Lord, we “meet people where they’re at”—we welcome all, regardless of background or situation—but we do not leave them there. All Christians are called to discipleship, and it is a lifelong journey.

 

                   

The purpose of all Christian education at Emmanuel is:

 

to develop a comprehensive Biblical literacy

     (i.e., know what the Bible says); and

to develop a comprehensive doctrinal literacy

     (i.e., know what the Bible means); so that we might

instill a comprehensive Christian worldview

     (i.e., believe the Gospel and live it out).

 

From Christian Education

 

The Church is not like a fast-food restaurant or department store selling products that are here today and gone tomorrow. Our “business” is the Word of God, which is eternal and true. Therefore, all instruction aims to instill in the Baptized the confidence that comes with Christ’s forgiveness; all instruction aims to teach people who they are in Christ and prepare them to think and act wisely; all instruction aims to help people lead lives of “daily contrition and repentance.” 

—The People of Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Adopted 26 April, A.D. 2009