In our Presbyterian Church, those of us who are ordained are actually described two ways in our Book of Order: Teaching Elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament. A teaching elder is different from the ruling elders who are members of our congregation and elected to serve on our Session. I like the fact that our Presbyterian tradition holds high the role of teachers.

In the New Testament book of Romans, it lists “teaching” as one of the spiritual gifts bestowed upon the church to build it up. And throughout the New Testament, Jesus is called “Teacher.” One of my tasks as a Presbyterian pastor is to teach. Over the years, more than one person has described me as a “teaching preacher.” I think that makes sense because my preaching has always been tied into helping us understand scripture and what God is saying to us today through those words.

This Sunday I begin teaching our “Pastors’ Class” at 10:00 a.m. in Room 112/the Small Dining Room across from the Great Hall. We will be wearing masks as required by our Session indoors and we will be socially distanced. This fall I plan for us to revisit some of the topics I have covered in recent years by asking these questions: Have these topics and truths been affected by the pandemic? If so, how have these insights changed? What have we learned that can help us move forward with our lives? This Sunday’s topic is “12 Bad Habits to Stop Doing After the Pandemic.”

Here are some of the other topics:

•  Is God a Democrat or Republican?
• Intergenerational theory
• More Polarized than Ever?
• The Smaller Faster Stronger Church
• The State of the Church
• The Wisdom Pyramid
• Crisis and/or Opportunity?
• Spirituality Types and Personality
• Polarity Theory
• I think - I feel - I believe: What’s the Difference?
• The Sixth Stage of Grief: Finding Meaning

So, come try us out this Sunday. See you then!

Prayer for Today

God of all truth and wisdom, we thank you that you sent Jesus to teach us. As we begin a new time of learning, fill us with your Spirit -- that we might be open to all you would have us learn at this point in our lives. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus, the preeminent Teacher, and our Lord and Savior. Ame