More Experience

We all reach age when learning what others seek to teach us is not as powerful as learning what we want, or need to know.  It's called adult learning, and, I don't know if there is a magic age threshold we cross.  I do know that adult learning  builds upon those years of accumulated knowledge and means that we become interested in those lessons that help us gain confidence and competence.  Adult learning means that we need to always we aware of what we need to learn next and shape our lives toward that goal.

Adult learning also means that while new information will come to us, we are also learning by reflecting on our lives.  This is the action-reflection- action model.    To retain new information, we must practice it. 

The keen interest to gain competence and confident is at its height when we begin a new role.  Elected to the governing board, what do I need to learn to contribute at meetings. Teaching Sunday Schol for the first time, what do I need to do to prepare? How will I be in front of the  class?    

New clergy have a particularly steep learning curve because  role and integration of academic learning take place similtaneously.  A safe place to learn becomes particularly important.