In the New Testament, Paul encourages the recipients of his letters to "grow in your knowledge of God". Peter, likewise, exhorts his readers to "add knowledge to your faith". Our Christian Education Programme offers that very opportunity.

After a baby is born, it's not long before onlookers begin to comment, "Oh, he's fair coming on!" "Isn't she getting big!" And so it should be. We do not remain babies. We grow into toddlers, children, teenagers and into adulthood. It's the natural way of things. We grow!

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he speaks of them as being 'as babies' in the faith and encouragees them to begin to 'grow up'. The writer to the Hebrews encourages his readers, likewise, to 'go on to maturity'.

Our circumstances require that we too seek to become mature in our Christian faith. The very future of the Church depends upon it.

"We are called to a knowledge of God; not a knowledge which merely fits in the brain, but that which will be sound and fruitful if we duly preserve it, and if it takes root in the heart." (John Calvin, Institutes)
"Adults need to grow and renew their commitment to God over the course of their lives. Therefore, the restoration of a Church that can teach with authority may be the pressing issue before the churches today." (Richard Osmer, Professor of Christian Education, Princeton)

As Christians, we're called to be disciples of Jesus… that means 'followers' and 'learners'. It's clear from that that there's no such thing as standing still in the Christian life. Jesus calls us to accompany him on a journey, all the time being faithful to him and, as we travel, to learn more about him.

And yet, more often than not, we make no provision to ensure our further progress. We have Sunday Schools for our children but what happens beyond that? To address this very concern, St Andrew's has a comprehensive adult Christian Education Programme:

Sunday and Wednesday Worship
Digging Deeper
Short Courses