Spring 2000 Newsletter

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. – Matthew 28:19-20

This year we are privileged to have as our plenary speaker Dr. Michael J. Wilkins, Professor of New Testament Language and Literature and Dean of the Faculty at the Talbot School of Theology. In light of his scholarship, pastoral experiences and personal faith journey, Dr. Wilkins is uniquely qualified to help those of us in Christian education reconcile the act of becoming a disciple (evangelism) with the process of growth in discipleship (Christian growth). Dr. Wilkins will address the conference three times and challenge us to consider the role of Christian education in reaching those who are far from God. Dr. Wilkins has published several books including Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship (Zondervan) and In His Image: Reflecting Christ in Everyday Life (Navpress).

If you have not been to a NAPCE conference in awhile, this will be a great year to join us once again, and if you are a familiar face at the conferences, this is not one that you will want to miss. This year’s conference will impact you in a variety of ways.

#1 Your theology will be challenged
Mike Wilkins will challenge the paradigms of evangelism and discipleship to which we have become accustomed. He will help us think about the proper role of evangelism in the context of Christian education, and he will bring together the fields of practical theology, missions and Christian education, which often are held as distinct and isolated fields.

#2 You will experience the riches of a different culture
Toronto is one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities, and we plan to take full advantage of the educational opportunities that this city provides. There will be time for you to explore the city on your own and there will be structured "Field Trip" options for which you can register and become exposed to one of the many dynamic Christian ministries in the Toronto area. For more information see the "Field Trips Options at the Toronto Annual Conference" article by Mark Senter.

#3 Your professional life will be developed
Whether you are a new professor or a veteran, there is always room for improvement in our teaching and our scholarship. This year there will be a vast number of practical seminars. Some seminars will be specifically related to the theme of the conference, while other seminars will focus on more general areas of professional development. Seminars will include: Writing for Publication, Sharpening your Research Skills, Christian Education and Theology in Dialogue, Christian Education and Missions in Dialogue, Teaching for Justice, Writing Research Grants, Distance Learning, Creative Teaching Skills, and Family Life Education to name a few.

#4 Your teaching will be enhanced through current research
If you are looking for the most current research in Christian education this is the place to be. Our teaching is always enhanced when we stay current with the latest research. A variety of research presentations covering a myriad of topics will be yours to choose from. If you are involved in cutting-edge research there is no better place to present your scholarly work than the NAPCE conference. For information on presenting a research paper please see the "Wanted: Current Research Presentations" article by Kevin Lawson.

#5 Your stress level will be reduced (at least for a few days) through fellowship
Our opening plenary session will be a time of celebrating NAPCE at the turn of the century as we explore the lessons we have learned from the past and the implications of those lessons for the future. There will be time to relax together, worship together, renew old friendships and ignite new ones.

Come join us as we challenge one another, learn together and support our common mission in Christian education!

21 Questions for the Twenty-First Century
Greg Carlson, President

I had a Jewish boss during undergraduate days. He would enjoy teasing this Gentile! I asked one day, "Why do Jews always answer questions with questions?" He answered, "Why not?" Questions are great, especially if they help us clarify, summarize, stimulate learning, motivate, provoke thinking, or develop need. I've listed 21 questions I'm pondering for the 21st Century. (In no particular order.)

1. What are my top ten prayer needs? Eph. 6:18,19.

2. "What exactly do you do?" Only the housewife is more questioned about their task. Col. 1:28,29.

3. What would happen if we required our educational ministry/Christian education students to share Christ regularly or else they wouldn't graduate? (A missionary friend from Mali does not graduate his Bible institute students unless they plant a church!) II Tim. 4:5

4. Does my family know how much I love God and them? Deut. 6:4_9.

5. What three computer tools do I need to learn for my ministry in 2000? II Tim. 2:15.

6. Who is a friend I need to email, call, or visit? Heb. 10:24,25.

7. Who would I consider the top 100 Christian educators of the 2nd millennia since Christ's birth? (I'm using this one as an assignment in Historical and Philosophical Perspectives of Christian Education class next semester.) Heb. 13:7.

8. What are the qualities of these top 100?

9. Am I likely to find these kind of people in my classroom and at my school?

10. If I would happen to have one of the top Christian educators for the next millennium in my classroom, would I recognize them?

11. What are three pressing needs in the church that I feel need to be addressed? II Cor. 11:28.

12. If I could write one art