Change is Hard

I’ve been thinking a lot about transitions lately. Perhaps it’s the time of year that has helped put me in that frame of mind; the intensity of summer has (thankfully!) passed as we head to fall (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere!), and the start of the new academic year comes with that. It turns out we don’t really know who first said that “the only constant in life is change,” but whoever it was? They were right.

Some transitions are causes for celebration and delight: new jobs, budding friendships, births, and second chances. Others not so much. And the world (waves hands wildly) is rife with transitions these days – some good, some not so good, and some downright awful.

I recently put the finishing touches on a research project inquiring into lifelong learning programs and their leaders in theological schools. (I’ll be talking about what we learned at a webinar on Oct 21; join us!). This was a reboot of a survey ALLLM sponsored in 2020-21, early in the pandemic. Interestingly, COVID was a boon to most lifelong learning programs; the leaders pivoted, their work boomed, and there was a real sense of hope and optimism. Survey respondents held a prevailing sense that this work – in all its creativity, responsiveness, and nimbleness – could provide the way forward for theological education.

Fast forward five years; the respondents still overwhelmingly affirm that lifelong learning is a crucial part of the future of theological education – yet few of them have seen the kinds of financial and structural support shift in ways that affirm that conviction. Offices are still minimally staffed as programs grow, and administrations still hold onto the primacy of degree programs, despite two decades of continual decline. Five years later, the conviction is still there – but the edges of the optimism have rounded off.

Change is hard.

Some of our research interviewees reflected that “centering” lifelong learning in theological schools as a primary means for delivering educational mission would require institutional restructuring. This would mean a reallocation of resources - a challenging and unlikely prospect. Yet, they remain committed to the excellence and importance of their work.

The irony, of course, is that lifelong learning programs are typically intended to address the consequences of ongoing transition in ministry contexts. And they do so within the context of institutions that are having a hard time with change.

ALLLM is committed to being a resource provider, a think tank, and a community of practice for the remarkable people (like you!) who lead these programs. This community provides something of a periscope up, giving members a chance to check in with each other for mutual support and fresh ideas for their work. After all, the lifelong learning leaders need to be lifelong learners themselves, right? (Which is, of course, why you should consider joining us for our Community of Practice gathering January 21-23 at Columbia Theological Seminary!)

And speaking of change, your ALLLM Exec has had to bid farewell to two members. Jennifer Sanborn, our VP, has taken a new position as development director for The American Baptist Churches of MA. Aaron Stauffer will be the associate Presbyter for congregational vitality in Heartland Presbytery. We are a better organization for the work these two extraordinary colleagues did. Jennifer has been a brilliant, compassionate thought partner and advocate for edge voices and the work of denominations in lifelong learning. Aaron spearheaded our Theological Education Between the Times webinar series last year and reminded us on a regular basis of the need for both community feedback and scholarly excellence in the work we do. They have been colleagues and friends; I’ll miss working with them.

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Dr. Helen Blier is the Director of Lifelong Learning at the Center for Lifelong Learning. She is deeply knowledgeable about lifelong learning for ministers, church leaders, and theologically curious laity, having served in the field for over ten years.