Open Arms

I don’t think I can go many more days without writing about Sunday School at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, and, since today is Sunday, today is a good day to do so. Sunday School “for every age” is definitely part of the “Heritage, Hope, and Home” that Hayes Barton Baptist Church is, and Sunday School teachers play special roles in their classes and for church members.  One usually doesn’t talk too long with members before finding out about their classes and their teachers. 

I’ve been thinking about my Sunday School teacher since attending the church’s Leadership Banquet for Sunday School leaders a few weeks ago.  During the Banquet, the question was asked, “Who was your favorite Sunday School teacher?”  For me, I didn’t have to think too far back as, for me, my favorite Sunday School teacher is my current one, Bruce Thompson.

Why is Bruce Thompson my favorite Sunday School teacher?  Let me count the ways.  From the warm hugs freely given to all the women in the class to the hardy handshakes with all the men, Bruce makes a person attending the Koinonia Class feel welcomed and loved.  He is always prepared for the lesson he gives as he does his research, right down to the maps he brings to share with the class when geography is important to understand the lesson.  He is a life-long learner and reader, often offering recommendations about his current choice of book.   He knows the Bible, and he prays strong prayers.  In short, he does what you’d expect a Sunday School teacher to do; yet, he does much more.

Bruce is someone who cares about people.  You know that from the start, from the first hug.  You know that from watching the interplay between he and his wife Neta.  You know that from the stories he tells about his sons, whether they are stories from when “the boys” were young or stories about something that happened last weekend.  You know it from how he talks about his granddaughters, his many, many cousins, his friends, his coworkers.   It doesn’t take long to know it; you just do.

Bruce has been a member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church for over twenty years.  Bruce and Neta joined the church when they moved to Raleigh from Greenville.  Not surprisingly, they quickly determined Hayes Barton Baptist Church was the church for them.  “It is a joy for me to be a part of this church,” he said in today’s class. “It is a great church.”

Bruce and Neta joined the Koinonia Class, and Bruce soon became the class’s teacher.  From 1990 to 2002, he shared the responsibility with Julian Bunn and Doug Holland.   In recent years, he has shared that responsibility with Sharon Holland.

Bruce has served Hayes Barton Baptist Church in many ways, including as a deacon and 2010 chairman of the diaconate. “It was a privilege to serve and a tremendous responsibility,” Bruce told me when I interviewed him for the newsletter Faith Points last year. “It was also one of the most rewarding experiences.” 

Bruce oftentimes begins our Sunday School lesson with a story and usually one that generates laughter.  “What does that have to do with today’s lesson?” Bruce will ask. “Nothing,” he’ll say with his southern accent accentuating just how long one word can be said.  He’ll then slide into the lesson, giving background that likely took at least a few hours to establish, asking questions that do not have easy answers, and prompting dialog that reveals both the comfort and challenge we have as Christians.  He works hard to make the class have relevance, even though he makes teaching the class look easy.   

Today’s class was typical from the perspective of what a class taught by Bruce is like. The lesson was about Matthew and how God’s will redefines community.  “Let’s find out who Matthew is,” Bruce starts, providing information about Matthew’s name, his tribe, and his occupation.  He goes on to talk about why Jesus chose Matthew and notes that, given Matthew’s occupation of tax collector, he may not have been too popular a person; yet Jesus chose him.   “Would we have chosen him?” asks Bruce.  “Do we choose people who are different, or when different people show up, do we, like the title of our lesson, say ‘There goes the neighborhood’?”

“Think about that this week,” Bruce prompts.  “We all have a responsibility to do the will of God.  We need to take a look at who we are and have open arms for others who may not be like us.  We need to open our arms and make sure we accept all people.”

Bruce practices what he preaches and what he teaches.  With his warm hugs and handshakes, he opens his arms to others.  When you hear him teach, you hear a man who cares.  He knows it is challenging to do God’s will, and he knows that we have a responsibility try to do God’s will. As our teacher, he teaches, guides, cares, and challenges.  “We have a lot of work to do,” says Bruce.  What a great Sunday School teacher.