ABOUT

Christian Education has been defined as those “deliberate and sustained efforts of the community of faith that enable people to evolve Christian lifestyles.” The goal of this process of faith formation – to which all Christians are called — is a fullness of life found in Christ, supported and enriched by fellowship and worship in the Church. Towards that end, the continuing task of the Department of Christian Education is to help the faithful answer basic questions of Armenian Christianity: Who is Jesus Christ? How do we come to know the Lord through the familiar and life-giving traditions of the Armenian Church? How are our lives transformed by that knowledge?

For the school-age faithful, the DCE oversees the Sunday Schools, offers workshops in teacher education, and produces curriculum and related resources such as family devotionals, Lenten calendars, cartoon histories, children’s story books, and scouting award manuals. The Department also coordinates school-related matters: graduation, the annual Lenten Drive, seasonal communications, and weekly Scripture and Feast Day memo.

Adult and family education is extremely important and the Department conducts this ministry in two significant ways: print and electronic works including translations of Armenian theological, historical, and devotional work, prayer journals, topical studies, and worship resources. Secondly it offers retreats in spiritual formation, leadership principles, and Armenian Christian literacy; these “immersion” experiences are often the most effective means of cultivating faith in uplifting fellowship with others.

 

PROGRAMS

 

The Purpose-Driven Church

Intended for: Parish council members, Diocesan delegates, all parish auxiliary leaders

A 4-6 hour seminar or retreat (can be focused either way). Based on Rick Warren’s book of the same name, but adapted to the specifics of Armenian parish life, sessions will focus on the why’s and how’s of purpose-driven planning.

 

Christian Leadership for Today’s World

Intended for: Parish council members, Diocesan delegates, all parish auxiliary leaders

A 2-4 hour seminar in new strategies for parish health and growth, basic Christian leadership skills, and the dynamics of cooperative effort.

 

A Renewed Church

Intended for: All interested parish members

A 2-hour coffee-hour visioning exercise for a parish or fledgling community ready for unflinching self-assessment and forward movement. Members will evaluate assets and challenges and set goals for the future.

 

The Experience of Worship

Intended for: All interested adults

A 2-5 hour seminar of interactive lectures and hands-on activities with the liturgy book and the Bible designed to help participants become active worshippers in conversation with God and one another. Can be geared to specific topics of interest, e.g. The Liturgy of the Word, The Eucharist, The People of God at Prayer (a general overview).

 

Walk Thru The Bible

Intended for: All interested adults (and children ages 9 and up)

A half or full day program taught by world-renowned Walk Thru the Bible instructors; participants are taken on an unforgettable adventure, learning about the major people, places, and events of the Bible. And forget tedious note taking. Attendees will learn the material using hand signs, catch phrases, group reviews, and enjoyable interaction with the instructor. A new thirst for Christ and a desire to know Him through Scripture invariably follows.

 

Focus on Teachers: Building a School

Intended for: Sunday School teachers and staff; volunteers ready to launch a new school

A 2-5 hour seminar for seasoned as well as new teachers that is tailored to your community’s needs. Presentation topics will cover lesson planning, how to build a curriculum from the textbook up, how to engage parents and community, teen resources, the student-centered classroom, dynamic teaching tips, etc.

 

Focus on Teachers: Faith Fundamentals

Intended for: Sunday School teachers and staff

A 2-5 hour seminar on the faith of the Armenian Church, addressing such questions as: What do we believe as Armenian Christians? How do we read Scripture? How do we understand the life and teachings of Jesus Christ? What is the Church? What is the purpose of the Divine Liturgy? Emphasis can be tailored to the needs of individual parish Sunday School staffs. Also featured is a session on basic teaching principles.

 

A Day of Spiritual Reflection: Parish-Wide/Women/Men/Families

Intended for: All interested adults

A day of close encounter with our own faith, doubts, questions and certainties. Interspersed with the warm fellowship of simply being together and breaking bread, features interactive lectures, Bible study, DVD presentations and discussion. Tailor-made topics such as Impacting Our World: Faith in Action; The Holy Spirit: At Work in the Lives of Women; A Living Faith: What Do I Do Come Monday Morning?; Prayer: A Way of Life; Searching Faith: Is It Okay to Doubt? Faith Development: How Do Souls Grow?

 

Christian Parenting

Intended for: Parents of school-age children

A 2-3 hour workshop exploring parenting from the perspective of Biblical principles, Armenian Church tradition, and 21st-century family life.

 

Marriage: Growing Together in Christ

Intended for: Couples

A 2-5 hour seminar of lectures, video and discussion, and skits designed to explore the challenges and joys of married life in the Armenian Christian context.