Is it wrong to hate teaching Confirmation class?
I have three middle school girls in the class this year. They are very sweet and I love them, but Confirmation is clearly not priority for them. They have mentors that they are supposed to meet with at least 4 times to talk about spiritual journey, worship, stewardship and mission. Then they are to do an assignment reflecting what they learned. We accomplished the spiritual journey portion at the opening retreat, but they have dragged their feet on the other assignments. In fact, I cancelled last week's meeting because none of them had done their assignments. Yesterday, one girl showed up on time (with out her assignment completed) and the other two completely forgot that we had class! I gave a schedule to them AND their parents at the beginning and I make phone calls to remind them. Grrrrrr....
So, I had a "come to Jesus" conversation with them and told them that perhaps we should just cancel the class all together and try again next year. They seemed shocked that I would even consider doing that and I could see them searching my face to see if I was bluffing. I wasn't and they realized that.
So, we'll see.
Reflections on being rooted and grounded in love.
6 comments:
Welcome to my world. My group is ending May 6th, and it is not soon enough for me.
I have never known so many self-involved, entitled kids. The apples don't fall far from the trees, either.
I don't have any wisdom for you, just empathy.
I wonder why we think Confirmation is so important, particularly when it is so often followed by disappearing from church.
Amen to that Songbird.
I know what you mean! There is a girl in our congregation whom I haven't laid eyes on since she was COnfirmatgion AND baptized 2 years ago. (I've called, but ahve always been rebuffed.) However, three of kids in that class tell me that the class was turning point for them spiritually and have greatly increased their invovlement since then. So, I don't know.
I do have a big problem with parents who make "deals" with their kids that if they do Confirmation then they won't be "made" to go to church anymore. These parents are hoping that something I teach them is going to make them excited about church membership. When that doesn't happen- who gets the blame?
Good for you. Our church is moving confirmation from 12 to 18ish, and I like that. It makes me a little crazy that there are parents who really want their kids to be confirmed, regardless of whether or not it means anything to the kid.
Proud of you for putting your foot down.
it sounds like you did EXACTLY what was needed! you go girl!
Post a Comment