Yount, William R, (1999). Called to Teach: An Introduction to the Ministry of Teaching. Tennessee: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

    The book is written for Christians who are called to teach in the context of the church, Christian colleges, mission schools and theological education institutions.

    The text begins with the two qualities of an effective teacher.  A teacher who is a dynamic synergist who "integrates thinking [cognitive], feeling [affective] and doing elements together in a single, global, balanced teaching style" (p.22).  The focus is on teaching and developing a whole person to avoid an unhealthy emphasis on either the cognitive (theory) or the practical (doing).  Secondly, an effective teacher is one who possesses a mature Christian personality discussed in chapter 2.  The second and third part of the book spell out the effects of the different roles of the teacher upon student learning and the learning environment.  In each chapter, Yount  discusses the integration of the teaching principles of Christ and the Scripture with  the learning theories of Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, Jerome Bruner, Carl Roger, Erik Erikson and others.  The discussion includes case studies that are helpful to illustrate and reinforce the crucial role of the teacher in constructing a learning environment that is relevant and conducive to motivate students to learn and grow.  However, teachers who are not familiar with the leading theories of learning may not benefit from the discussion on integrating Christian faith with social science research on teaching and learning.
    The concluding chapter highlights the spiritual role of the teacher as a prophet, priest, leader, evangelist and discipler that distinguishes him or her from other teaching professionals. This may imply that certified or trained teachers require further credentials to be effective church or Sunday school teachers.
    The title, "Called to Teach" communicates the intent of the author but readers arriving at the end of the book may request for an additional chapter on, "How does a Christian discover the gift of teaching?"  Or, "How does one know that he or she is called to teach?"  However, the sole focus of the content on the teacher makes the text comprehensive and useful for teacher training and for developing criteria for evaluating teacher effectiveness and efficiency. 

(Book Review by Ng Peh Cheng)

Chapel on 26^th December was led by Dr. Ng Peh Cheng.  She spoke on the relationship between Spiritual Determination and New Year resolutions.
    Christians have just celebrated the birthday of Jesus Christ and soon we will be celebrating New Year to usher in 2002.  Some of us may be making New Year resolutions and this reminds me of a caller.  One ministry responsibility at BGST is to handle telephone calls from inquirers and one such individual called a few weeks ago about registering for courses next year.  She mentioned that she had inquired before but had not taken the step to signing up for courses. She was given the challenge to make it a New Year resolution to begin her course of study at BGST.  She responded positively.
    Two types of responses can happen when making a New Year resolution.  We can make a resolution by making a decision to do something. Or, one can make a resolution by making a determination to do something for the coming New Year.  I tend to believe that we can make a decision without determination to follow through what is intended.  To cover up our inconsistency, we generalize, "resolutions are meant to be broken!"  For that particular caller, she has turned a decision into a determination for her life in the coming New Year.  Reflecting on the word, "determination" reminds me of Paul's determination in Philippians 3:4-14 and I have entitled it, "Spiritual Determination of Paul."

1. Paul's Determination to Make a Complete Commitment to Christ (3: 4-7)
    Paul had an impressive biographical data with a good record of achievements including persecuting the church. His remarkable resume made him a self-righteous man believing that he could gain righteousness through his own effort.  But, his personal encounter with Christ made him realized that he could only gain a right relationship with God through the grace of Jesus Christ alone.  Th divine intervention drove him to consider his glorious past as a "loss," a loss with no regrets.
    Christmas speaks of God's gift of love, gift of His Son through whom we can gain a right relationship with Him. Toward the ending of the year, it is a worthwhile habit to reflect on the testimony we have written in our heart when we first acknowledged and accepted Him as our Saviour and asking a question, "Have we given up our past without regrets?"

2. Paul's Determination to Trust Christ as the Lord of His Life (3:8-11)
   Paul reiterated his will to renounce his past glories which he labeled them as "rubbish" to be thrown away so that he could have Christ completely in control of his life and service.  His desire to "knowing Christ" generated in him the determination to "share Christ's suffering."  Readers are aware that Paul's ministry was marked with much suffering in his quest to know Christ and to make Him known.
   Paul's identification with Christ's death and the "power of his resurrection" helps us to recall the significance of our baptism that we "were baptized into his death.  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:3-4).  It is one determination to accept Christ as our Saviour, it is another determination to allow Him to be the Lord of our Christian life and service.
   A question to reflect on, "Is Christ the Lord or a guest of our heart?"

3. Paul's Determination to Press On toward the Goal (3: 12-14)
   Paul is a "perfectionist."  He has one goal, one purpose, one aim, one objective to pursue.  That is, to "press on" and "straining toward" the end to accomplish God's calling for his life and service.
   We may enter the New Year with this question for reflection, "What do we need to persevere to fulfill His calling for our Christian lifestyle and work?"  Following Paul's teaching, we are asked to forget "what is behind" (our failures, mistakes or wrong doings) and press on toward our spiritual ambition for 2002.
   Let us not forget to make our resolutions within the framework of our spiritual determination for the New Year. In making a decision to enroll as a student, I believe she is determined to know God and be equipped to serve Him better.  New Year resolutions must add value and significance to our walk with Him.
Have a blessed New Year!

Chapel speaker for this week (2 Jan) will be Rev Ng Seng Chuan. Come & join us at 12 noon at Rm 302.