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Book Review: The Adult Learner – Knowles

August 9, 2012 — Leave a comment

Knowles’, Holton’s, and Swanson’s The Adult Learner serves as a comprehensive overview of the field of adult education.

Andragogy, in contrast to pedagogy, is a field that focuses on adult learning and everything that ensues. It is “any intentional and professionally guided activity that aims at a change in adult persons” (Location 1174). It does not merely translate pedagogical principles to an adult context, but it is an attempt to focus on the adult learner and “provide an alternative to the methodology-centered instructional design perspective” (Location 124).

This book proposes and argues for six principles of andragogy: the learner’s need to know, the self-concept of the learner, the prior experience of the learner, the readiness to learn, the orientation to learning, and the motivation to learn (Location 155). These core principles are set in the context of individual and situational differences, which are subject matter differences, individual learner differences, and situational differences. This is then set in the context of the broader goals and purposes for learning, which are institutional growth, individual growth, and societal growth (Location 164).

In Books, Leadership, Technology adult education, book review, Ministry, small groups

A New Form of Community?

April 26, 2012 — Leave a comment

In the 1960s, Edward T. Hall developed a theory based on the relationship between space, culture, community, and belonging. His research is becoming increasingly important for us as we discern how to better engage in community.

After all, the biblical mandate for us is to be in community, but what does that actually look like? The wineskins can change, can’t they?

Public Space (50+ people present) - Our weekend gathering or a sporting event is what the public space looks like. You belong, you are part of a community, you somewhat get to know those around you, but there is not much of an opportunity to really get to know others.
Social Space (20-50 people present) - This is a party-like environment where we are safe to decide who we would like to grow a deeper relationship with. It’s big enough that a newcomer won’t feel like they’re the centre of attention, yet it’s small enough that no one will fall through the cracks. It’s big enough that everyone will find someone to connect with, but it’s small enough that meaningful conversation can take place, without it being uncomfortable. You belong, you are part of a community, and it’s a safe place to take that next step.
Personal Space (8-12 people present) - This is the typical small group environment, where you intentionally are connecting with others to go deeper, share life together, pray with one another, and allow yourself to be known. Private information is shared, but this isn’t the place where you are completely vulnerable and baring your whole soul.
Intimate Space ( 1-3 people present) - This is an environment that you let only a few people into. It could be a spouse, a best friend, or an accountability group. This is an environment where nothing is held back and there is a lot of intentionality in sharpening one another, being accountable to one another, and being intentional in community.

In churches, we have been very intentional with the public and personal space, and sometimes with the intimate space, but not really with the social space.

In Discipleship, Mid-Size Communities, Ministry Church, edward t hall, Groups, small group, small groups, social space, Spirituality, thoughts, Western Church

A New Paradigm on Serving

February 17, 2012 — Leave a comment

Since we all understand “serving” differently, my goal in this post is to re-envision or redefine our understanding of serving. In a way, if our understanding of serving is a box, then instead of thinking outside of the box, I want to grab an eraser and give you a blank canvas.

So I want you take a moment and indicate where you are personally at in regards to serving and where your group is at in regards to serving on this diagram.

The fact is, our lives are filled with opportunities to serve in every moment, and most of us are serving on a regular basis, without even knowing it.

i.e. When you choose to do those dishes, that’s an act of service.
i.e. When you choose to shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk as you do your own, that’s an act of service.
i.e. When you wave “thank you” while you are driving, rather than giving people another gesture, that’s an act of service.

However, especially in group life, serving has become a task, rather than a regular rhythm of our groups. Serving has become a task because we myopically view serving merely as a project that we do together, in a concerted effort, rather than something that we would do ourselves. It’s unnatural for us.

Now, I’m not saying, “Don’t get together to serve.” What I am suggesting is that we admit that there are some inherent problems in service projects as we’ve come to know them.

In Culture, Discipleship, Ministry community, Faith, group life, Ministry, North American Church, Religion, service projects, small groups, Spirituality, thinking outside of the box, thoughts, Western Church

Living as a Missional Community

January 27, 2012 — 2 Comments

One of the things that fascinates me about Jesus was that he was a masterful communicator. One of the ways that he loved to communicate was via word pictures.

Jesus loved to paint word pictures.

He did this because he knew that, through word pictures, we would be able to intrinsically understand and connect the truths that he was teaching us with our real lives today.

Two of the most powerful word pictures that he used to describe you and I were salt and light.

Matt. 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Matt. 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

When we read these verses, we, in our western individualistic world views, think that he’s talking about you and I individually – that we are individually the salt of the earth and the light of the world. However, when you look at the original language, the word “you” is actually plural.

You (the community together) are the salt of the earth.

You (the community together) are the light of the world – a city on a hill.

You (the community together) are the body of Christ, and each of us is a part of it (1 Cor 12:27).

Jesus never intended any of us to journey through life alone. Faith is not a private thing, it’s a community thing. We each have our own relationship with God, but it is in the context of community that we live it out and grow.

In Discipleship, Ministry, Multi-Site & Church Planting body of christ, Christianity, Church, city on a hill, Faith, life, Ministry, Missional, North American Church, salt and light, small groups, Spirituality, thoughts, Western Church

Community Over the Summer

June 10, 2011 — 2 Comments

One thing we know for sure is that the wonderful summer months do not take away our need for community. In fact, with the long Edmonton winters, summer is THE thing many of us look forward to. Instead of doing things just by yourself, or with your family, what do you think about the idea of scheduling opportunities to have fun, eat a meal, and just fellowship together with those in your group?

Groups are not about meetings, they are about relationships – it’s about doing life together and living life together. As a result, even though you may suspend your regular group studies for the summer months, make an effort to do life together.

Here are a list of things to do together with your group to get your creative juices flowing:

Continue Reading…

In Culture, Discipleship, Ministry life, Ministry, small groups