letter from the editor... christine yount jones

If you can't teach an old dog new tricks, can you teach a new dog old tricks? Questions like that gnaw at me.

Old, new. Age is relative. Especially when people my age make comments like, "Oh, we're too old to understand that." Them's fightin' words to me! If nothing else, this statement is an attempt to marginalize people. "You're too old to try that." "You're too young to remember that." "You're too (fill in the blank)."

A word of advice? If people in your life use statements like that, don't let them silence you... put you in your place... stop you with ageism of any kind.

Instead, understand that there are very few things in life that add up as much as teachability -- and not just a willingness to learn but an insatiable appetite for learning. That never gets old.

There's a story told about the philosopher Socrates lecturing a group of students around a body of water. One student asked Socrates, "When, great teacher, do I know when I am truly seeking knowledge?" Without answering, Socrates walked over and pushed the student's head under-water. When the student tried desperately to push up out of the water, Socrates finally let him go. Then the wise philosopher said, "When you desire knowledge as desperately as you desired air to breathe, you know you're truly seeking knowledge."

How desperate are you to keep learning? How much do you gasp for the air of truth and knowledge in your relationship with God and your children's ministry?

If I'm completely honest, there are times I just want to settle...to relax...to coast. But then a choking sensation rises up in my throat, and I sense that I'm going to be left behind. That's when I gasp for more knowledge.

So, yes, an old dog can learn new tricks and a new dog can learn old tricks -- if he or she is wise. Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." Wise words for the wise.

And it's in that vein that we asked children's ministers of all ages and levels of experience for the best advice they've ever gotten and the truth they know without a shadow of doubt (I've found myself quoting them already). Learn from our friends in "Something Borrowed, Something True" on page 72.

And in the quest to keep learning, I'm now loving Facebook (I didn't think I would, but I'm hooked) and I'm tweeting on Twitter (I'm still learning about this one). Come and join me. If you're at all intimidated by it, I believe in your ability to learn! (And it's not that hard.) Friend me on Facebook...and follow me on Twitter (ChristineYJones). I look forward to learning about you!

email me at cyjones@cmmag.com