Responsive Learning

Seminary learning is much different than learning in any other department of education. You may sit in nursing classes, business classes, ESL classes, biology classes, social work classes, even underwater basket-weaving classes, and never experience a learning environment similar to seminary.

In my defense, I earned my first degree in business administration. Decorum in class was thoughtful and organized. The syllabus ruled. Discussions followed a focused path. Questions rarely carried loaded meanings or poorly shrouded agendas. People exercised civility despite disagreements. When professors or classmates made a good point they were greeted with a handshake or slap on the back and encouraged to run with their idea. Writing about all of the ways seminary contrasts my undergraduate experience would lead to a far greater tome than you would wish to read today, so I'll save most of those for another day. Today we focus on responsive learning.

Long gone is the simplicity of shaking the hand or slapping the back of the commenters. We no longer wait for the end of class to encourage the speaker in their beliefs or presentation of their belief. Feedback is instant. Feedback is voracious. Feedback is robust. Feedback is loud.

Imagine you begin declaring the joy of God's grace and forgiveness. Be prepared to pause in appropriate spots for the hearty "amens" coming from those around you. Comment on pushy legalistic members and welcome a resounding "WELLLLL!!" from the classroom congregation. Bring up any one of the hot button items in the church (i.e. ordination of lady ministers, distrustful leadership, or seminarian finances) and out comes "Preach!" or "Take your time, take your time!" Sing with confidence and you may hear "Don't play with it, Girl! Sing that song!"

The importance of affirmation cannot be completely forsaken, but it seems silly the way church members and pastors holler their agreement without reserve. Never once did I have a fellow accountant holler their approval in a presentation of my work. My wife, an ER nurse, doesn't hear raucous whooping and clapping when she rants on the lack of team cohesion. Is the rest of the world just not appreciative of shared beliefs and complimentary ideas?

Sure, I've been caught up in the fervor and excitement of responsive learning. Yes, I have been known to offer boisterous, if not irreverent, affirmation to speakers and classmates. But maybe we should do more privately. Maybe instead of hollering for everyone within earshot to know how much we love or agree with someone we could quietly write it in a notebook full of our core values and beliefs. Or we could whisper a prayer of affirmation for how the comments, the ideas or the acts of worship of others move us closer to Jesus. I say the world doesn't need to hear our irreverence or praise of people but instead needs to hear the praise of Jesus Christ and what He's saying.