Unfortunately the emphasis on Eileen Lindner's interesting statistics missed the real thrust of her message. They were given only to give a picture of where we are and not an excuse for staying there. Following the APCE theme "A Light to the Nations," she challenged us a church, as educators to remember that we are not the source of the Light. Jesus Christ is the Light and we are called to be stewards of that Light. We were reminded that to be a Covenant people means to enlist to be servants of the living God. As Christian Educators we were challenged to carry that Light into the world for that Light was given to all people. As the advocate she is, she raised the issues of injustice in the world and people given to despair. I left the conference not with trying to justify our decreasing membership but challenged to be a Light bearer. I believe this is missional.
