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pastoral publishing in the 21st century

Don't Lecture Me

9/8/2011

3 Comments

 
"College students spend a lot of time listening to lectures. But research shows there are better ways to learn. And experts say students need to learn better because the 21st century economy demands more well-educated workers.  Lecturing was invented as a way to share information in a time before books were widely available. Now, there are better approaches."

My friend Andy Thompson turned me on to this article on lecture-based learning and college education.  See: http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/tomorrows-college/lectures. 

Basically, lecturing is old school and ineffective.  Maybe you already knew that.  But there are some ideas about what's next in education.  As a pastor, I'm always listening and learning.  The preaching and teaching of the Word of God demands our best.  Of course I'm not suggesting a change in the "content."  But our means can be as varied as the literary genres of the Bible.  From prophets to wisdom literature, historical narrative to acacolyptic literature.  And don't forget about the tactile nature of the sacraments.  You can touch and taste.

Two things I have learned educationally:

-  Learning is relational.  Preaching, teaching, and learning do not happen in a vacuum.  The Word is digested in community.  Discipleship is not a book, but people pouring into people.  This includes preaching, and also conversation, debate, prayer, and living together through shared experiences.

-  Learning is incarnational.  People relate what they learn to what they already know.  Preaching and teaching requires that we make connections to what people already know and experience.  Therefore it is vital for preachers and teachers to listen well and study their context. 

Let me know if you have educational insights or thoughts on this article.  Tell me what you've always wanted to tell your pastor about his preaching and teaching. 

3 Comments
Luke Timm link
9/8/2011 06:43:45 am

"Lecture is the the process by which the notes of a professor go to the notes of a student without passing through the brains of either." Jeff Jarvis

Reply
Megan Roegner link
9/8/2011 07:37:56 am

It's interesting to read this post today because I spent the day in technology training at school, where we talked about how traditional methods of teaching don't always reflect the way students process information now. The subtext of many of the teachers' comments was that today's media, especially the easy access of information, is dumbing down our youth. However, I like to look at humanity in a more positive way and think about the changes as neither bad nor good, but just different.

I will say that I see my most important role as a teacher as that of a facilitator of opportunities. I think if students aren't doing most of the work, I am probably doing something wrong.

Now, I'm not sure how much of this applies to the roles of pastor and congregation.

Reply
Crystal Bates
9/8/2011 11:00:43 am

Jeff,
I'm glad you have started this blog. You have a gift and always have even if you didn't think so before. When you married Wade & I people were so impressed with you. I think you could have had 50+ calls from that sermon. You have a gift to reach people and build relationships that are genuine with everyone you come in contact with. Love the latest post. Just set up the new "texting" device for my students to interact with me in my classroom.

Don't ever stop speaking to people...you have a way of reaching them and leaving a mark in their hearts.

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  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern