PC(USA) - Ideas! For Church Leaders - The Present Word, Past and Present

Ideas! For Church Leaders My eyes have seen your salvation (Luke 2:30).


	The Present Word, Past and Present

	In last summer’s edition of The Present Word we invited participants to evaluate the Student’s Book and Leader’s Guide materials. From approximately 4,700 churches that use The Present Word, we received 452 responses. This represents about 10 percent of user-churches, a significant response rate for this type of survey. We gave especially close attention to those comments that echoed unsolicited sentiments expressed by users via e-mail, letters, or phone calls. We also compared the survey results to comments we heard from participants at regional and national denominational events or other churchwide educator events. Based on the ideas of those who faithfully use The Present Word and took the time to send us their comments we are making two simple changes to the format.

	The first change you will notice beginning with the fall 2004 quarter is that we’ve removed the shaded boxes from the sidebar material and also from the closing prayer in the Student’s Book. It was astounding how often we heard the message that the gray background made the print too difficult to read. It is a relatively simple change and yet one that will be greatly appreciated by the eyes that no longer have to strain to decipher the text.

			The second change resulted from the desire for “more meat” in the Leader’s Guide. (We’re pretty sure that wasn’t just a request to make the material Atkins-friendly!) Specifically, leaders found it redundant to have the lesson plan repeated in the Leader’s Helps, which takes up an entire page at the start of each session. Beginning with fall 2004, you will find the outline in a sidebar—still available for quick reference, but leaving additional space for commentary and useful background for the teacher. The “Preparing to Teach” material now begins on the first page, allowing us to add some of the “meat” for which the leaders asked.

	The Present Word is a quarterly Bible study curriculum for adults based on the International Sunday School Lessons: International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching. The curriculum provides a forum for God’s people to discuss and explore together the wisdom acquired through life experiences and faith journeys. The Present Word encourages participants to develop plans for applying their wisdom for the benefit of family, congregation, and community. This well-loved curriculum is available in English, Korean, Braille, and cassette (for the visually impaired). The English language student’s book is available in large print and on CD. Call (800) 524-2612 or go to www.pcusa.org/marketplace to order.

	Tammy Wiens is Editor of The Present Word. She may be contacted at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5496.



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