The Education Task Force (ETF) met together for the first time in a few years on Feb. 11-12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss various issues pertaining to education for all ages in the Church. Those who were present were: Jeff Brown and fiancée Julie Zutz, Scott and Michelle Delamater, John and Cindy Karlik, Jim and Sue Kocher, Dan Salcedo, Randy and Kay Schreiber, Keith Tomes and Gary and Barbara Antion. The ETF is composed of school educators, counselors, professors, elders and promotional professionals. It was a privilege for everyone to meet.

The team had an array of topics to discuss and work on. After everyone introduced themselves, Julie Zutz gave a presentation on the results of the church-wide survey about educational issues. Members are very interested in having Ambassador Bible Center classes online and having more ABC Continuing Education classes in their areas. Julie Zutz gave an example of a potential method for hosting ABC classes online for brethren to take as actual classes, with discussion sessions including the faculty member who presented the class. Julie and her fiancé Jeff Brown did outstanding work on the sample that they showed the ETF.

The task force also had much discussion about youth education and how to make effective programs available to the congregations. Several were discussed and a team from the ETF was assigned to pursue this and bring product to fruition that could be made available to the church for Sabbath instruction and for the Feasts. Randy and Kay Schreiber, Scott and Michelle Delamater and Keith and Christy Tomes were asked to be on that team.

Another item of discussion was how the church could help parents learn to teach their children the Bible. An educational video explaining and showing how to teach children was proposed, and Dr. Keith Tomes volunteered to lead this project.

Feast presentations on focused education issues were also discussed. The task force decided to try this idea at one site this year and then build on the experience gained for future years at other sites. The idea of having ABC presentations done at several of the Feast sites was also brought up. Poster sessions were suggested to promote programs for the church at the General Conference of Elders in May.

Also suggested were articles in the United News in a potential section called “Family Issues and Your Health,” in which helpful information could be disseminated.

The task force discussed religious persecution, which is beginning in the form of resistance to students taking off time for the Sabbath and Holy Days. Jim Kocher mentioned that this was a concern of several families in congregations that he has visited. The team decided to ask Larry Darden for his expertise for a possible article advising brethren and students of brethren on what steps to take when facing this form of persecution.

Ministerial education was mentioned as well as helping improve the speaking at church services and at the Feast. A list of basic books for elders to read was suggested by John Karlik and is being developed by Randy Schreiber to help with equipping the ministry with essential knowledge for elders.

Music for children’s instruction on Sabbath was introduced by Dan Salcedo. He mentioned how good it was to involve young children by teaching them some of the hymns that have beautiful words and rhythm. Having younger children sing with the choirs to back up the song service would help them be involved and teach them meaningful words set to music. He is going to recommend hymns that are good to use with young children. Jim and Sue Kocher are going to help Dan with this project. He also has written an article for the United News, which is on page 12.

John Karlik was the secretary and took copious notes of the meetings, which lasted nearly eight hours from Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

This was a wonderful start on moving forward with the important aspect of “Preparing a People” through education for all ages.