Instruction Class/Catechism

[JayP]

Eastern uses the same instruction class approach for their own youth as converts, the only difference being the physically split them up. That is all the youth, including converts meet together, adults separately.

[sojourner]

It’s based on the first hand accounts of plenty of seekers. It might be useful to identify the instruction class process in various affiliations. (When I say “more conservative”, I mean Wengers, Amish and so forth.)

That would be Old Orders.

And certain black car groups, who as I understand it vary but some also have an abbreviated (or no) instruction class for children of members? Plus Holdemans.

I am curious what exactly the origin of the instruction class even is - is it one of those modernist vs Old Order things?

Perhaps what you are describing is an exception to the norm. My father, after leaving the Wengers shortly after marriage, bounced around among various conservative groups. For most of my childhood I grew up in certain black car group from your state. People from non Mennonite background went thru instruction class just like the children of members. There was no such thing as an abbreviated or no instruction class. Instruction class has more to do with having folks understand what they are committing to. On occasion some might need more time than others. It is completely irrelevant to their respective background.

I don't really have a problem with baptism immediately upon someone's confession of their faith however it can present a few issues. I tend to think that church membership and baptism go hand in hand. We aren't in the business of baptizing and sending people on their way. Unfortunately some folks would like to get baptized but have no desire for membership. Folks want to be baptized without the commitment preferring to live out their Christianity the way they want to. And that is what I have a problem with. Is our system perfect? No, I don't think it is. But I have a hard time seeing a better way.

[joshuabgood]

What is the difference between instruction class and Christian education in schools and at FBEP and in SS.

Also, I think instruction class falls into the the "discipleship" category which is the Great Commission (which speaks of making disciples - rather than saving souls for instance). So I don't have an issue with it, before after, or along with baptism.

[Ernie]

It’s based on the first hand accounts of plenty of seekers. It might be useful to identify the instruction class process in various affiliations. (When I say “more conservative”, I mean Wengers, Amish and so forth.)

That would be Old Orders.

And certain black car groups, who as I understand it vary but some also have an abbreviated (or no) instruction class for children of members?

I'm not aware of any such groups.

[Ernie]

What is the difference between instruction class and Christian education in schools and at FBEP and in SS.

It the Old Order and more conservatives churches, it is, as someone mentioned, covering the basic doctrines of Christianity and the Anabaptist distinctives.

[joshuabgood]

What is the difference between instruction class and Christian education in schools and at FBEP and in SS.

It the Old Order and more conservatives churches, it is, as someone mentioned, covering the basic doctrines of Christianity and the Anabaptist distinctives.

Are those not taught in SS and Anabaptist Christian schools? Not to mention over the pulpit?

[Judas Maccabeus]

What is the difference between instruction class and Christian education in schools and at FBEP and in SS.

It the Old Order and more conservatives churches, it is, as someone mentioned, covering the basic doctrines of Christianity and the Anabaptist distinctives.

Are those not taught in SS and Anabaptist Christian schools? Not to mention over the pulpit?

It is never really gone over systematically in those settings. It also provides an opportunity for the ministry to make sure the individuals understand our distinctivees as well as our application. That won't happen in a Sunday school setting, and clearly won't happen in a Christian school.

[joshuabgood]

It is never really gone over systematically in those settings.

Why not? Does that tell us anything about perceived appropriateness/importance?

[JohnH]

It is never really gone over systematically in those settings.

Why not? Does that tell us anything about perceived appropriateness/importance?

Our schools consider that their purpose is secular education, not spiritual instruction, and try to avoid teaching doctrines and so on. That is reserved for Sunday school and the pulpit.

Topics like history may be relevant though, and there are simple things like singing and devotionals.

[ken_sylvania]

It is never really gone over systematically in those settings.

Why not? Does that tell us anything about perceived appropriateness/importance?

It tells us a number of things, actually:
* That we believe the basic doctrines and Anabaptist distinctives are of such importance as to merit being taught by the ministry
* That we believe it is appropriate for these important doctrines to be taught by those who have been ordained to teach and preach the gospel
* That it may be more suitable for the doctrines of the church to be taught by those who have been ordained to teach and preach the gospel than by one who is skilled in teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic.
* That studying the doctrines of the church and Anabaptist distinctives together is an excellent opportunity for the ministers of the gospel to learn something about the applicants for baptism
* That we believe it is appropriate to teach these things after a young person is sufficiently mature as to better understand them
* That our view of our Christian Day Schools is not for them to take the place of the church in the spiritual instruction of our children. That while Bible study is and should be a part of our curriculum it should not be instead of instruction by the church.
* That the basic doctrines and Anabaptist distinctives are sufficiently important that they ought to be taught, in an orderly way, to those who have been awakened to their need of salvation and have repented of their sins and desire to follow after righteousness and true holiness.