1996 Book of Discipline: Paragraph 1108| General Conference 2000

¶ 1108. Education Responsibilities and Standards--The board shall organize as may be necessary for carrying on the educational ministry throughout the whole life span of persons. The board shall:

1. Formulate and interpret the philosophy of Christian education based on biblical, theological, and educational foundations as they relate to the church school and related activities; individual or group study; fellowship, education, and action groups for children, youth, and adults; related educational programs provided by civic youth-serving agencies; weekday nurseries and kindergartens; daycare centers; choirs, drama groups, mission studies; education for leisure; outdoor education; camping; education of persons with developmental disabilities and others of special need; special Bible study groups; confirmation and church membership training.

2. Develop educational approaches in a variety of settings that appeal to persons of different ages, lifestyles, learning needs, and theological perspectives.

3. Develop educational approaches that will enable persons of different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups to appropriate the gospel for their own life situations.

4. Promote church school extension in a variety of ways, such as providing resources and training that help persons in sponsoring new church schools, starting new church school classes, and expanding teaching and learning opportunities in the congregation and the community.

5. Provide resources and support services for pastors, parents, educational leaders, teachers, and others responsible for teaching and learning with persons across the life span at the local church, district, and conference levels.

6. Provide resources and support services for teacher recruitment, development, and training in biblical, theological, and ethical thinking, as well as in procedures and methods; work with the colleges and seminaries of the Church wherever possible to forward the common interest in the training of professional Christian educators and the training of ministerial students in local church Christian education; provide national camp training events and assist jurisdictions and annual conferences in designing, guiding, and resourcing camp training programs and outdoor Christian education.

7. Set standards and provide guidance concerning programming, leadership, and grouping for the various educational settings of the Church, including the church school.

8. Establish guidelines for the organization and administration of the church school, for recording and reporting membership and attendance of the church school, and for the equipment, arrangement, and design for church school buildings and rooms, with particular attention given to the needs of persons with disabilities.

9. Provide resources and services related to the training and work of local church directors, ordained and diaconal ministers, and associates of Christian education and educational assistants.

10. Develop standards governing all types of camping in regard to physical facilities, program, and leadership. To the extent possible, all camps shall be accessible to persons with disabilities.

11. Cooperate with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry as they develop standards for certifying professional ministry careers as provided in ¶ 1426.1 and promote the continuing growth of local church staff related to educational ministries.

12. Provide resources, models, and training to support annual conferences and local churches as they help people make decisions related to their general Christian vocation as well as their specific occupations or careers.

13. Review and recommend for approval the curriculum plans developed in cooperation with the other boards and agencies in the Curriculum Resources Committee and interpret and support the curriculum developed by the committee.

14. Promote the observance of Christian Education Sunday (¶¶ 269.1, 1806.12).



	1996 Discipline ¶ 1108
	`¶ 1108. Education Responsibilities and Standards--The board shall organize as may be necessary for carrying on the educational ministry throughout the whole life span of persons. The board shall:` 1. Formulate and interpret the philosophy of Christian education based on biblical, theological, and educational foundations as they relate to the church school and related activities; individual or group study; fellowship, education, and action groups for children, youth, and adults; related educational programs provided by civic youth-serving agencies; weekday nurseries and kindergartens; daycare centers; choirs, drama groups, mission studies; education for leisure; outdoor education; camping; education of persons with developmental disabilities and others of special need; special Bible study groups; confirmation and church membership training. `2. Develop educational approaches in a variety of settings that appeal to persons of different ages, lifestyles, learning needs, and theological perspectives.` `3. Develop educational approaches that will enable persons of different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups to appropriate the gospel for their own life situations.` `4. Promote church school extension in a variety of ways, such as providing resources and training that help persons in sponsoring new church schools, starting new church school classes, and expanding teaching and learning opportunities in the congregation and the community.` `5. Provide resources and support services for pastors, parents, educational leaders, teachers, and others responsible for teaching and learning with persons across the life span at the local church, district, and conference levels.` 6. Provide resources and support services for teacher recruitment, development, and training in biblical, theological, and ethical thinking, as well as in procedures and methods; work with the colleges and seminaries of the Church wherever possible to forward the common interest in the training of professional Christian educators and the training of ministerial students in local church Christian education; provide national camp training events and assist jurisdictions and annual conferences in designing, guiding, and resourcing camp training programs and outdoor Christian education. `7. Set standards and provide guidance concerning programming, leadership, and grouping for the various educational settings of the Church, including the church school.` `8. Establish guidelines for the organization and administration of the church school, for recording and reporting membership and attendance of the church school, and for the equipment, arrangement, and design for church school buildings and rooms, with particular attention given to the needs of persons with disabilities.` `9. Provide resources and services related to the training and work of local church directors, ordained and diaconal ministers, and associates of Christian education and educational assistants.` `10. Develop standards governing all types of camping in regard to physical facilities, program, and leadership. To the extent possible, all camps shall be accessible to persons with disabilities.` `11. Cooperate with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry as they develop standards for certifying professional ministry careers as provided in ¶ 1426.1 and promote the continuing growth of local church staff related to educational ministries.` `12. Provide resources, models, and training to support annual conferences and local churches as they help people make decisions related to their general Christian vocation as well as their specific occupations or careers.` `13. Review and recommend for approval the curriculum plans developed in cooperation with the other boards and agencies in the Curriculum Resources Committee and interpret and support the curriculum developed by the committee.` `14. Promote the observance of Christian Education Sunday (¶¶ 269.1, 1806.12).`
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1996 Discipline ¶ 1108