It’s that time of year when those running religious education programs are either praying desperately, canceling classes, or just spinning in circles.
I don’t run a religious education program, but I am a parish staffer and I work closely in, for, and with our religious education director. I’ve seen it time and again, from the office, from the front of the class, from the back of the church. Just the other day at lunch, someone said it to me again.
“I can’t teach.”
There’s always more to it than that, usually a reason to the effect of:
- “I don’t know my faith as well as you.”
- “I am too busy.”
- “You can’t make me.”
OK, so the last one is slightly exaggerated, but it’s how it feels sometimes. I’ll admit, it’s my response to God much of the time, especially at the beginning of any endeavor.
You can learn.
The best way for most people to learn, in fact, is to teach. You might be surprised. Most of the catechists I’ve talked to (myself included) insist that they learn far more than the students.
Busy is a matter of priority.
This is not to downplay your hectic schedule or the amount of commitments you already have. I know, because I’m the queen of busy. And I’m related to many other busy people. And I work with busy people. And…well, wait, are there people who aren’t busy?
You can’t make me.
True. I have no good rebuttal to this.
Consider: is God calling you to share your faith?
Could it be as a catechist? One great way to try it out is to offer to be an aide in a class or to find someone to team teach with.
And no, it’s not for everyone. But, as a good friend of mine reminds me (usually weekly), God doesn’t always call the qualified, but he does qualify the called.
Copyright © 2013, Sarah Reinhard
Sarah Reinhard
Sarah Reinhard continues to be shocked and delighted that her life as a grown-up involve horses, writing, and sparkly dress shoes. In her work in the New Evangelization as a Catholic wife, mom, writer, parish employee, and catechist, she’s learned a lot of lessons, had a lot of laughs, and consumed mass amounts of coffee. She’s online at SnoringScholar.com and CatholicMom.com, and is the author of a number of books.
One response to “Yes, you CAN teach”
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You wrote a great piece, Sarah. I am starting my seventh year of teaching catechism. Every summer, I try to talk myself out of returning with the “I’m too busy” excuse, but, every May, I feel grateful that I had another year with the kids. You are spot-on abut learning more about the Catholic faith from teaching. I have fallen in love with Catholicism so much more just by seeking interesting material for class. Catechism really is one of those things that gives back more than I could ever contribute.