(posted by Paul Zilmer)
People have busy lives, and with regard to BEC classes that translates into students sometimes missing a class.
Since we began, we have offered make-up sessions, if we can work out a mutually agreeable time. At last week's first session for How to Study the Bible, we had two students who couldn't make it, but very much wanted to catch up. Then at the class, two more said they were going to have to miss the second session.
So, yesterday late afternoon, we had two make-up sessions, one for the first class and one for the second. One of the students didn't make it, but the other three are now up to date and current, and plan to be with us for the third class next week.
We are here to serve the needs of our students. It's gratifying that these don't want to miss anything, so we are happy to offer the opportunity to help them catch up. Surely Jesus faced the same situation. Not everyone could get out to see him on a given occasion. He was bound to have given the same "classes" multiple times, for different audiences – including going back to the same towns he'd been to before. We see hints of this in the gospels, where we read very similar things being said by Jesus, but in different contexts or at different times.
The focus on the student is a key to our operating philosophy (which may sound kind of pretentious, but really just means "the way we intend to do things"). We send reminder notes, and follow up with a call or a card when someone misses a class, to say we missed them and offering a make-up. Making a personal connection, actually caring about each individual, is just so important! Our Father cares for each one – so should we!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Fall Term launches!
(posted by Paul Zilmer)
Our Fall Term is underway!
On Wednesday, Bro Bruce & Sis Joanie Parker came down from the Chicago area to work in the BEC for the day, and Bruce kicked off our Fall Term with the first installment of his class titled "2nd Kings? Why Should a Christian Care About THAT?" They will come down each week through September to lead this class. Thank you, Bruce and Joanie!
The picture below shows Bruce (standing) and Joanie (sitting in back) along with the students. Bruce is being introduced and is about to begin the class. We had 3 of the 5 registered students show up, along with one who didn't register, for a total of 4. For the more advanced classes this is a normal number. The 2 who didn't make it have told us they will try to be there next week.
On Thursday I started the "How to Study the Bible" class. This is the third time we've offered this course, and it has become something of our "signature" course. It has proved to be the main entry course for new students. We had 16 registered, and 11 of them came, along with one other who didn't register, for 12 in all. Two of those who didn't come contacted us in advance and asked for make-up sessions — one had a prior commitment, and another had outpatient surgery yesterday. Almost all of these students are new to the Center, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them a little bit last night. The picture below shows the students, with a couple of them hidden.
Our Fall Term is underway!
On Wednesday, Bro Bruce & Sis Joanie Parker came down from the Chicago area to work in the BEC for the day, and Bruce kicked off our Fall Term with the first installment of his class titled "2nd Kings? Why Should a Christian Care About THAT?" They will come down each week through September to lead this class. Thank you, Bruce and Joanie!
The picture below shows Bruce (standing) and Joanie (sitting in back) along with the students. Bruce is being introduced and is about to begin the class. We had 3 of the 5 registered students show up, along with one who didn't register, for a total of 4. For the more advanced classes this is a normal number. The 2 who didn't make it have told us they will try to be there next week.
On Thursday I started the "How to Study the Bible" class. This is the third time we've offered this course, and it has become something of our "signature" course. It has proved to be the main entry course for new students. We had 16 registered, and 11 of them came, along with one other who didn't register, for 12 in all. Two of those who didn't come contacted us in advance and asked for make-up sessions — one had a prior commitment, and another had outpatient surgery yesterday. Almost all of these students are new to the Center, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them a little bit last night. The picture below shows the students, with a couple of them hidden.
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