Our Bishop

I recently attended the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Bishops Academy, a continuing education event that this year focused on learning from each other as teachers in the church. It made me think a lot about both teaching and learning.

You may or may not know that I have a background in teaching. I learned a lot about teaching during my education degree, especially from my student practicums. From working with other teachers, I gained knowledge I would use for years. And with others, I sometimes learned what I would never do.

I learned a lot more about teaching by doing it, especially during the steep learning curve of that first year.

And I learned even more as I went back as a student to seminary.

My learning continues. I love finding new teachers in unexpected places.

I am a proud great aunt to my great niece Juniper. On a recent visit, she was teaching me the joys of jumping in puddles. On the other hand, I did not like those around me teaching me the tune and lyrics to Baby Shark (which goes on and on and on).

The experience of being teacher and being the learner is not a new one.

Early on Jesus was lost for three days in Jerusalem. His parents eventually found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. “And all who heard Jesus were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” The young Jesus has a thirst for knowledge. But did you see the slight change? He begins listening and asking questions, but by the end they are amazed at his understanding and answers. Jesus quickly changes from learner to teacher.

Jesus himself employs various teaching techniques in his ministry. He calls the disciples and equips them by saying “follow me.” In other words, watch and learn.

He gives lectures, like the sermon on the mount, although they may have not been put together with educational goals and behavioural objectives.

He tells stories, using images and settings his hearers are familiar with. Sometimes he even explains them.

He teaches by example, healing the sick, providing food to those who are hungry, eating with undesirables.

He enters into discourses with unlikely people—Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the Syrophoenician woman. Sometimes he teaches and sometimes he learns.

He is the master of silence. Remember the woman caught in adultery when Jesus asks for any without sin to throw the first stone? Then he remains silent, drawing in the dust. Sometimes teaching happens in the inner reflection after a profound word has been spoken.

At the end of his ministry on earth he asks the disciples to carry on his teaching ministry. That request carries on to us today. But we are also called to be followers of Christ. We still learn from Christ. Many times, it will be through others.

I hope that is what has been happening during our four-year journey of Living our Faith. As we have focused on prayer, reading scripture, expanding our devotions, and show love of God through love of neighbour, I hope you have been teaching and learning from each other. I know I have learned from many of you.

We are called to be a community of teachers and learners together. Leaders in The Lutheran World Federation are wont to say, there is no church so small it does not have gifts to share with the rest of the church, and there is no church too big that it cannot receive gifts from others.

The same can be said for us in our congregations, synods and the National Church. There is no one of you that still can’t learn a thing or two. And there is no one among you that doesn’t have something to teach the rest of us.

Amen.

Rev. Susan Johnson
ELCIC National Bishop