20110424 Ownbey Class Curriculum Survey 101

Hi Don
Appreciate you asking for feedback. Thanks

Here are my comments; Don, please let me know you get this, either by email or 704  . . . .
I am sending a copy by postal mail in case you do not get this email.

don
4/28/2011
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20110424 Ownbey Class Curriculum Survey 101
also on line at http://ownbey101.blogspot.com/ need special signin

Given out by Don Hammer who asked that we consider Sunday May 01, 2011

We have a great group of teachers who have been diligent through the years in presenting many outstanding classes. I am thankful for the time they have spent, the variety of books and authors I would not have known otherwise, and their dedication.

Do you Prefer single-session Topics? or Topics that take multiple Sessions to complete?

1. Continue single session topics AND multiple sessions topics.
2. Multi part session  of up to 3 to 5  classes unless is a larger planned church wide program.
3. Plan in sequence instead of skipping to other subject In multiple session topic, especially if a book,
4. Teachers later to participate in Multi session topic 
5. should be present for previous lessons
6. Use Adult Bible Series periodically for a multi part session

Think about these topic categories

1. Current Events/Issues Some ok
   Examples:
   Peace Building
   Israel-Palestine
   Liked Don H on Israel, we need to understand that country better.
   
   
2. Biblical Analysis Definitely yes
   Example:
   Ace's Lessons on Paul
   Our Study of Philippians
   Use Adult Bible Series more periodically for a multi part session
   Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Sayings of Jesus that seem impossible to do, etc
   
   
3. Mission Field  Yes, especially if class members have been there and done that
   Examples:
   Projects in USA
   Projects in Africa, etc
   
   
4. Current Religious Books Yes
   Examples:
   Writing of Peter Gomes No
   Leighton Ford Maybe
   Marcus Borg Ok
   Witherington yes, more of him
   BART D. EHRMAN, more yes
   
   
5. Church History Some
   Examples:
   Methodism/the Wesleys
   Protestantism
   Myers Park United Methodist Church
   Myers Park United Methodist Church Tour
   Myers Park United Methodist Church Windows and Pictures
   Methodists in Charlotte
   
   
6. Theology:Yes
   Examples:
   The Trinity
   Sacraments
   Is it really the blood of Christ as we are told each communion
   Are we really in the image of God
   Original Sin
   How can the death of one person save every one else, what is the logic?
   Inerrancy of the Bible with  so many contradictions in it
                Just Sunday 4/24/2011we were told Jesus was in the tomb when the ladies came (John 20:1-18), in another reading it was a :young man" (Mark 16:1-7). Would you say the young
   man was Jesus?
   
   
7. Other -Another Topic of you choosing
   Offer the  class members chance to present 7 minute lessons on various subjects of interest to them and call it "Member Talks" or something similar; stick to time limit. This is a good technique for giving practice to class members in doing a lesson.
   Class on other denominations such as Baptist, Episcopalians,Catholics, Mormons, Masons, etc.
   Had enough Muslim for a while
   The readings and poetry are good and appropriate changes of pace
   Discussion of  Church programs available such as the session we did on the Library- Adults Plus, Disciple Program, Steven Ministry,South Tryon efforts, etc some would work into the 7 minute format
   
   

 Your Comments:
 (from  suggestions begun for meeting in February)
(Some are above in specific questions)

1. Good we all all invited to the  meetings
2. Give us chance for feedback other ways - thanks for the 4/24/2011 survey.
   
3. Let class discuss/decide, based on recommendation of the Curriculum Committee, if we want to be a part of the periodic Church wide efforts
4. Have periodic mention and a summary prepared of the Background of the Teachers; after all these years, I still do not know some basic info on Speakers.
   
5. Periodic or Quarterly  outside speakers
1. Have James Howell lead a class  - he promised in 2003 he would drop in when I told him we were studying one of his books, but he has not..
   
2. Other names of interest would be Loy Witherspoon, Mark Edwards, Melvin McIntosh, Danny Watts, etc
3. Invite to teach children of members such who are minister/speaker as the Thompsons, Hatfields. 
4. Also invite people who have been to war zones and mission trips
5. Folks from South Tryon Church
   
6. Offer the  class members chance to present 7 minute lessons on various subjects of interest to them and call it "member Talks" or something similar; stick to time limit. This is a good technique for giving practice to class members in doing a lesson.
7. Can we figure out how to get class to read books before lessons; at least encourage it.
8. Summarize Class Lessons for communication to folks not present
9. Each Teacher-on book taught, prepare a book review (they are  brief, according to practice here and the guidelines) for the Library Web Site . With all the teachers' hours of preparation already, perhaps it would take only a few minutes to do.
   
10. One of the benefits of this class is the exposure to so many books and thoughts over the years, and we could  emphasize that  in discussing with others and publicity.and in flyers about the class.
11. Prepare a list of the books we have studied
12. Teachers present as often as possible when others teaching, especially if the same Book
13. Families of members come to class when in town
14. Teachers  and speakers use  mikes or  no teachers use them as the switching back and forth does not work well.
15. Use some books on the Reading list for the Methodist Women 
16. Plan and distribute Lesson Schedule well in advance of  Quarter, such as by middle of previous quarter. 
17. Following items new to this list prompted by the 4/24/2011 Survey: 
18. Continue single session topics AND multiple sessions topics.
19. Multi part session  of up to 3 to 5  classes unless is a larger planned church wide program.
20. Plan in sequence instead of skipping to other subject In multiple session topic, especially if a book,
21. Teachers later to participate in Multi session topic present for previous lessons
22. Use Adult Bible Series more periodically for a multi part session 
23. Recognize Teachers by a special dinner.
24. Get a picture of all teachers annually.
25. Publicize our classes in  various church publications as others do. 
26. Add Audio Visuals (TV, DVD/VHS Player)  and curtains to room to make it easier to use  media.
27. Handouts by teachers such as outline and notes  often would be helpful
28. Class on other denominations such as Baptist, Episcopalians, Mormons, a class on Masons. 
29. Added even later:
30. The more teachers present for other teachers classes, the better 
31. Change in lessons or teachers emailed up to day before session 
32. Subjects should match the season when possible. 
33. A joint lesson with Youth, invite to our class, let them present a class to us. 
34.  Be aware of the season and what is happening in the real world when selecting lessons - Christmas and Jesus birth, Easter, Mothers' Day.