Church Education

[Jo]

If you've read my posts, you know I'm an old HAC grad. There are lots of things to gripe about, but I've been there and done that.

Since I didn't learn much about church education, other than the obvious negative things, at HAC, I'm wondering if some of you older folks would like to tell what you've learned about the importance of church and how it shaped your life.

I'll start with something I placed in a separate thread.

"In the '70s, some Christians called themselves "Jesus Freaks". There was even a Bible cover with psychedelic colors. I think it was called "The Way" or something like that. I should know because I carried it to my public high school a couple of times. I also attended a Friday night church service that had several young people of every denomination, long haired hippie people, and girls in pants - you know all those outward signs of apostasy...lol. The charismatic movement was alive and well in the 1970s. It wasn't all bad. It was great to hear about Jesus' love for us and to hear songs like, "Come to the Water". It brings back good memories."

Come to the Water

 

[Bob Jones VI]

I remember Mrs. Hazel Fulmer, 4'10 or so, led the Elementary Sunday School at my Presbyterian church growing up. She had us memorize Psalm 23, Psalm 100, a Name Verse so we could get a Bible in 2nd grade, and many songs. Little did she know that knowing Psalm 23 would, many years later be instrumental in my conversion. I was driving down the road in college and turned to a radio station where the man was reading Psalm 23. I still knew it word for word. As he read, I quoted, and God began speaking deeply to my soul. It took several weeks until I clearly heard the gospel, but God knows what he is doing through little 4'10" Sunday School teachers.

 

[ALAYMAN]

This is an extremely short version....


I grew up as an introvert. While in state University I dropped out of Speech class the first time I took it (but had to have it to graduate so eventually very grudgingly took and passed it). My nature towards avoiding attention would make for a poor trait in a preacher, yet that is exactly what God has made me. I would have never learned of that calling without numerous encouraging prompts and patience from saints who saw something in me that I never would have imagined, and all that is due to God, and His church.

 

[DrHuk&Duck]

This is an extremely short version....


I grew up as an introvert. While in state University I dropped out of Speech class the first time I took it (but had to have it to graduate so eventually very grudgingly took and passed it). My nature towards avoiding attention would make for a poor trait in a preacher, yet that is exactly what God has made me. I would have never learned of that calling without numerous encouraging prompts and patience from saints who saw something in me that I never would have imagined, and all that is due to God, and His church.

My former pastor has told the story many times of being an introvert and painfully shy. He said his own family laughed at him when he said he was called to the ministry, and his brother said he was misunderstood God’s calling. Well, the man spent several decades in the pulpit—quite successfully, I’d add.

 

[Bob Jones VI]

This is an extremely short version....


I grew up as an introvert. While in state University I dropped out of Speech class the first time I took it (but had to have it to graduate so eventually very grudgingly took and passed it). My nature towards avoiding attention would make for a poor trait in a preacher, yet that is exactly what God has made me. I would have never learned of that calling without numerous encouraging prompts and patience from saints who saw something in me that I never would have imagined, and all that is due to God, and His church.

John Piper is an introvert. He took an f in speech in high school because he literally could not speak in front of people. He tells a famous story of being asked to pray at Wheaton, and he asked "How long do I have to pray?" "30 seconds. " He said he prayed and said, "Lord if you get me through these 30 seconds I will never turn down a public speaking opportunity for fear again. "