"Educators often refer to a concept called the hidden curriculum. This concept suggests that in a classroom, there is a formal curriculum that includes things like math problems, writing assignments, or science experiments. But there's also the hidden curriculum, which involves issues like who wants to sit next to whom, and who does the teacher look at, and who does the teacher tend to call on?
The hidden curriculum teaches students who matters and who does not, who's bright and who's left out.
If there is an inconsistency between the hidden curriculum and the formal curriculum, research shows that students always believe the hidden curriculum."
John Ortberg, "Speaking from my Holy of Holies," Leadership (Spring 2007), 40.
What we do says what we really mean. The problem is that we often do not see what we are really doing!
While this is true in every pursuit in our fallen world, I find it particularly troubling in the world of ministry and Christian community. We are called to be salt and light in the world. We are called to love one another well. We are called to live such holy lives that people will want to know the source of our life- the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yet, we fall so short of these lofty callings! Why?
Because what we do exposes our heart, and our hearts are not really in tune with God's designs and calling.
While this is true in every pursuit in our fallen world, I find it particularly troubling in the world of ministry and Christian community. We are called to be salt and light in the world. We are called to love one another well. We are called to live such holy lives that people will want to know the source of our life- the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yet, we fall so short of these lofty callings! Why?
Because what we do exposes our heart, and our hearts are not really in tune with God's designs and calling.
In other words, much of what passes for "ministry" is marked by a hidden agenda/curriculum.
We might say we want to reach out to new people, but our hidden agenda says we are a closed system that really does not want new people or ideas. We might say we love families, but our hidden curriculum says that we really love a certain type of family (intact, white, smart, having it all together, who knows what else?). We might claim we wish our church or ministry to grow, but our hidden agenda screams, "We only want you if you agree with us!"
New people who come into our ministry will pick up upon and believe the hidden curriculum more than the "official" statement of belief and intent.
What is the hidden curriculum/thought that dominates your life? Your ministry? Your church? As I stated, we often cannot see it. How can we discover what is hidden?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you have eyes to see. Humbly confess that you have blind spots that you need the Spirit to reveal. Then ask for outside eyes to see what is really happening. Pray. Trust what the Spirit reveals. Repent. Ask for grace to change the hidden curriculum.
Psalm 139: 23-24 is a great place to start the journey of identifying our hidden curriculum. Why not join me in praying,
Search me, of God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
See if here be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
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