LEAven Blog

Backwards?
Hmmm…. Have I been thinking backwards all these years?
A noisy advocate of integrating the faith, I strongly advocated and emphasized the concept, probably as long as it has been around. Since I now well qualify to fit the description “elderly” (maybe even “ancient”), that’s a long, long time. And I still push it regularly—even try to practice it with my adult Bible class. It’s a word the LCMS religion curriculum publisher (Concordia Publishing House) uses and practices, and it remains a vital element in my present-day vocabulary. But is there another way to think about “integrating the faith?”
<! Moment for hushed shock !>
Did I really say it? If you’re over 60 or faint of heart, use caution. Here it is:
Should—could—integrating the faith better be considered integrating subject matter into faith? In other words, might we in Lutheran education teach mainly the faith, with things like science and social studies into it? Therefore, we would have something that sounds like a class titled Teaching the Faith with Geology Integrated Into It.
Some of our thinking would need modification. We would need to think of ourselves differently. We would need to see ourselves as primarily a school of religion with everything else we teach thrown into a potpourri of subject matter. An example might be a scriptural lesson on creation with a bunch of activities on animals mixed into it.
Another potential shortcoming of thinking backwards is the same threat as thinking forwards. Actually doing it.
Of course, something like the above would require a fresh supply of enthusiastic and theologically trained teachers and a curriculum designed to handle such a shift. And it sounds like a lot of extra thinking and planning laid on the brains of teachers who already work to the max. Would those teachers give up on Lutheran education due to unreasonable expectations? In the end, would any of this change the way we currently do it or not do it?
We can’t leave our stakeholders—especially the parents—out of the picture. What kind of marketing would we need to convince people that our school meets all the state standards? What would we do with National Lutheran School Accreditation wording?
Hmmm. Maybe this isn’t such a good thing on which to spend our musing minutes.
Perhaps taking time to muse about forwards and backwards was a waste of time. Thankful for the brevity of this particular blog; maybe you will go away thinking more of your important role as a teacher qualified and excited about teaching the faith. And maybe willing to take the time for the extra effort you already spend teaching the faith, knowing full well that you’re also a model of Christian learning and living for the students and parents in your school.
One other thing… consider how thinking differently—even inside out—might lead to new and even “just thinking” adventures in preserving the fine education you already offer. So go ahead and muse why this writer has enough time to think of crazy ideas. It might just be why I don’t drive anymore. There’s a significant difference between forward and backward. And toss in “inside out” just for those who prefer to stay in neutral—or park!
God bless you and your school. Keep faith in your focus.