Christian Education and Teaching Skills

Elise Antreassian asks the seminarians to define Christian Education

Second-year seminarian Gregory Andonian and Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan in the background

"Faith is not a thing, it is a process," began Elise Antreassian, Director of Christian Education at the Armenian Diocese in New York. "So Christian Education is not primarily about transmitting data, but about leading people in faith."

Antreassian presented a full-day workshop on Christian Education for the St. Nersess seminarians on Friday, February 8 at the Seminary. She was assisted by Megan Jendian, who recently completed her course requirements at St. Nersess and will be graduated in May. Topics of discussion ranged from educational theory and faith development to designing a lesson plan and developing effective communication and teaching skills.

"I have only been a student so far, but I feel like Elise has helped me to begin to see things from the perspective of the teacher," said Justin Ajamian, a second-year seminarian.

Indeed, one of the most important skills that seminarians need to master is how to engage the hearts and minds of our people with the knowledge of God and life with him, in Christ, in the Armenian Church.