Merton and Teachers.

“Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. You gradually struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything.” 
― Thomas Merton

Merton said little about education and teaching, and this is not one of the things he said.  He was speaking to those involved in the peace movement in the '60's and he was warning against disappointment because our goals and targets for change never seem to be reached. Yet I suggest it could apply to teachers.

Teachers strive to be transformational and often the transformation they seek is delayed, to put it mildly.  How do you remain motivated, involved and focussed when the class in front of you is slipping into inertia, on the road to amnesia and a journey around some distant planet no scientist has yet discovered?

Merton suggests letting go of the destination and remembering why you are a teacher, why it is right to be teacher and why teachers are necessary.To let go of the idea of making a difference and to develop a relationship with the individuals, not the class and not the curriculum outcome.

He affirms what all good teachers know but need to be reminded of every now and then, that 'it is the reality of the personal relationship that saves everything', and in the case of teachers, everyone including the teacher herself.

It is interesting to note that he says we are to have that relationship with specific persons, not everyone. How does that work?  I suggest that in every class there are leaders, significant influencers whose 'buy-in' is required to move the whole class. Students who wield influence, are early adopters, who lead by achievement, it is these students we are to identify and to develop the particular relationship aimed at helping them achieve their goals, whether that be learning, prestige, success and/or the need for a relationship with teacher, students or parents.

Is this easy? No but perhaps it is the difference between burning out and remaining what you already are, a great teacher.

Hay, That's Not Church Music!

What do you do for music when you are a small church and singing is a challenge?  Do you persist in singing and watch as the faithful try but are embarrassed by their efforts? Or is there an alternative?

At our church we have decided that there is an alternative and it is this - we hand the music over to the professionals.  Today we invited Mumford & Sons along to share their music with us.  Well, not in person. Via video.

Over the last few weeks we have had Neil Young, Carole King, Jimmy Cliff, Ed Sherrin, Bobby McFerrin, the Beatles and more join us for Sunday worship. We have listened and discussed their lyrics and reflected on the Gospel as it appears in contemporary thought and music. And it has been a blessing to all.

No longer have we had to try and sing songs and pretend that it is worship. No longer did we dread the words, ‘Now, next hymn is….’ When the video comes on we sit back and concentrate on the music and the lyrics, and receive an additional perspective on the Good News we came to hear.

For me, the process of selecting the music is now an enjoyable exploration of contemporary music. And I have discovered that theology is entwined within the lyrics of some of our most popular songwriters. It is not all God-less, much of it includes God and the Christian story, all we need to do is listen to it in the right place and space.

An added benefit is that when these songs come on the radio in the car they remind us of the Gospel and the connection we made when we put the two together in liturgy.

Try it some time. It works.

For suggestions on music to use, go to You Call That Church Music?