"There is never an assignment in this class," said Coach Foster, as he handed out our chemistry books on the first day of our junior year at Gallatin Senior High School, in Gallatin, Tennessee. "By the same token, there is always an assignment."

Not one of us knew what he meant.

On Taking Responsibility

The next day, he asked whether there were any questions on chapter one. No one moved, so he said, "Take out a clean sheet of paper, and we'll take the test on chapter one." Oh.

The next day, he asked whether there were any questions on chapter two. A lot of hands went up, and mine may have been first. He answered our questions one by one. This went on for about a week, until one day there were no more questions on chapter two. Then we took that test.

This continued for the rest of the year, about a week at a time, as we worked our way through the text.

It could be argued that this track coach and assistant football coach, required by law in Tennessee to teach classes, also, had found a way to avoid preparing lesson plans. That would miss the point entirely.

What Coach Foster taught me, far beyond chemistry, was that my education was my responsibility. My education was not his responsibility. It was my responsibility. And in teaching me that, he fulfilled his responsibility many times over.

When I have told this story before, my hearers have often commented that he did a lot to help get us ready for college. That is true, of course, but the far greater truth is that he did a lot to help get us ready for life.

Thank you, Coach Foster.

On Ministry and Studying Theology

It could be said of continuing education in the pastoral ministry, "There is never an assignment in this calling. By the same token, there is always an assignment." Some people still don't get it.

It is the responsibility of each of us teaching elders, especially, to read, study, absorb, inwardly digest, recover, explicate, and apply today the great, historic faith, teachings, and Reformed theology of the church. This is who we are. This is what we are about. This is what we are to do.

The risk of irresponsibility is great. The cost of irresponsibility is incalculable. But let us not be such servants. Let us take up the task and privilege of learning with great joy and eagerness.

The Foundation for Reformed Theology

The Foundation for Reformed Theology exists, in large part, to assist ministers in fulfilling their responsibility for their own ongoing education. See, for instance, the many aids available on our website, and especially on these pages and their sub-pages:

Seminars

Resources

It is also the case, of course, that our work costs a great deal of money. Therefore I invite and urge us all to give and to give generously and even sacrificially to help the Foundation help our ministers fulfill their responsibilities. For information on various ways of giving, please visit this page:

Donate

Your gifts will bear fruit in ministry to congregations for years to come. Thank you!

Grace and Peace,

Dr. James C. Goodloe IV,
Executive Director