Adult Education
It has been pointed out that Jesus taught adults and played with children. While many churches do the opposite, and focus the majority of their educational efforts on children's Sunday school and confirmation, Pastor Andersen places a strong emphasis on adult education.
Adult Education at St. John works on a trimester system with trimesters scheduled for the Fall, Spring, and Summer seasons.
"Pastor Andersen's Book Club" has by far been the most successful and effective adult education opportunity at St. John during Pastor Andersen's tenure, and as a result the book club will continue to figure prominently in the educational ministry of the congregation.
Through the winter of 2008-2009 the members of the book club will be reading Changing Lenses by Howard Zehr. Despite the title the book actually has nothing to do with photography, but rather it examines the issue of the criminal justice system in the western world and proposes an biblically based alternative known as restorative justice. Pastor Andersen believes that this text should be required reading for anyone who understands oneself to be a Christian; or even a well informed American for that matter. Participants will read a chapter a week and get together to discuss the reading and how it affects their views.
Additionally for the fall of 2008, Pastor Andersen will be opening the confirmation class to adult members who are interested in learning to do very basic biblical interpretation. The class will use resources from the ELCA's new Book of Faith initiative as well as resources from other sources.
If you are interested in any of the upcoming offerings keep an eye on your bulletin and newsletter for scheduling information.