Guide to New Church's Teaching Series

The Episcopal church in the twentieth century took advantage of the general availability of publishing to good advantage, compiling through several auspices different collections and teaching series, the latest of which was only completed a few years ago. There have been 'unofficial' collections of teaching texts, such as the Anglican Studies Series by Morehouse press, put out in the 1980s, as well as an earlier teaching series. However, each generation approaches things anew; the New Church Teaching Series, published by Cowley Publications (a company operated as part of the ministry of the Society of St. John the Evangelist - SSJE - one of the religious/monastic communities in the Episcopal church, based in the Boston area) is the most recent series, and in its thirteen volumes, explores in depth and breadth the theology, history, liturgy, ethics, mission and more of the modern Anglican vision in America.Each of the texts is relatively short (only two of the volumes exceed 200 pages), the print and text of each easy to read, designed not for scholars but for the regular church-goer, but not condescending either - the authors operate on the assumption that the readers are genuinely interested in deepening their faith and practice. Each volume concludes with questions for use in discussion group settings, and with annotated lists of further readings recommended.This volume, an 'outside' volume, is in fact a user's guide for the rest of the new Church Teaching Series, assembled by Linda Grenz. Linda Grenz is an Episcopal priest, and director of a consulting and publishing/educational organization based in Massachusetts. She also teaches Christian education at General Theological Seminary, the Episcopal seminary in New York City. The first chapter gives quick summaries of each of the other volumes - these are largely the same blurbs as occur on the backs of the books, with a few sentences on the authors' biographies, and a listing of chapters. Following this information, Grenz writes about the different uses for series for particular audiences. The first broad heading is for education and formation groups: these may include youth groups, adult education groups, bible study groups, catechism and inquirer classes, and more. The second broad heading is for ministry and interest groups: these include groups around various ministry roles (lay readers, vestries, etc.) as well as committees, choirs and outreach. There is a nice two-page chart on pages 46-47 to show which books serve best with particular types of groups. As a Christian educator, Grenz doesn't stop with simple book selection and recommendation. She devotes a chapter to group aspects - starting and managing groups, knowing appropriate sizes and compositions for specific intentions, leading discussions, activities, even ending groups and finding appropriate closure. She devotes space to particular formats - 45-minute sessions, 2-hour sessions, retreats and conferences. The final