SHARP POINTS

 

    “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we

 

    who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

 

                        —  James 3:1 New Revised Standard Version

 

 

 

    As school begins, I find myself especially aware of the importance of our great teachers. I don’t know about you, but I still remember the teachers who shaped my life: Mrs. Knox in Fourth Grade, Mrs. Rollins taught me English and Latin, Mr. Dittberner showed me that I could cope with Algebra, Weldon Crowley (History) and Gwen Kennedy Neville (Sociology) at Southwestern, Don Saliers (Liturgy), Roberta Bondi (Church History), & Fred Craddock (Preaching) at Candler, Duncan Forrester (everything!) at New College. Who I am, how I think, live, and act, is largely due to the profound influence of these special teachers.

 

    The power of these teachers wasn’t just in the quality of their teaching. I had other teachers who were equally intelligent, were similarly gifted in communicating ideas, concepts, and information, who were every bit as excited about teaching. The difference, the importance of these teachers for my life came from the incarnational authority of their lived faith. Now Fourth graders, high school students, even university students don’t think along those lines – I simply knew that these teachers cared deeply about me – as me – and our common encounter with their subject. Though we were teacher and students, we were also learning together, and somehow, that work was holy. Who have been your teachers? With whom are you learning the deep things of life? I give thanks for all our teachers, all who accept the challenge of leading us deeper into the mystery of life together.

 

Your servant in Christ Jesus,

 

Jarrell V. Sharp