The Parish Experience as a Priority for Christian Education/Nurture
By Elizabeth Strickland, Director of Religious Education, Church of the Good Shepherd; Episcopal Church, USA, Raleigh, North Carolina.

I believe that Christian education/nurture is a life-long process. One of the most valuable places where faith education can occur is in a Christian setting, such as a parish. The parish has long been overlooked as a place where significant learning can happen, and while it may not prepare us to take the SAT's or the Bar Exam, the Christian education that we receive in a parish can forever shape our spiritual life.

I firmly feel that Christian education should not be something that occurs only for children and youth; it should take place for everyone in the parish. It doesn't have to just happen on Sunday mornings. But, it can take place on Wednesday nights, during a weekend symposia, or anytime a parish chooses to wisely use their "time" for faith-learning.

Christian education is not just for those people who are new to the parish and/or the Christian faith; every member or visitor should be able to learn something from the educational programs offered. I feel that if a parish is large enough, educational options/programs should be offered more than once a week. This in order to broaden the opportunities for participation and allow for those who are not able to attend at one time, to come at another. Since Christian education occurs also in worship, the sermon or homily can be part of that experience that provides for the development of faith.

Christian education/nurture does not happen in a vacuum. Educational experiences should occur outside of the church as well. Retreats away from the parish can be wonderful for learning and bonding experiences for a congregation. Mission projects are another option. My former home parish in Nashville, Tennessee has participated in the Build-A-House program (similar to Habitat for Humanity) for the past several years. Those older children, youth and adults who have participated have learned from hands-on experience what it can mean to fully live out the Gospel and our baptismal covenant.

As everything that a parish offers can turn out to be an opportunity for Christian education, every effort should and must be taken to provide all parishioners; adults, youth, and children, with experiences that will stimulate them intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

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