WHAT S HAPPENING IN YOUTH CONFIRMATION? Confirmation Leader Responses

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1 WHAT S HAPPENING IN YOUTH CONFIRMATION? Confirmation Leader Responses About You (Please check only one item in each question.) 1. You are a (1)_76%_Pastor (2)_13%DCE (3)_1.4%Teacher (4)_9% Youth Leader (5)Other_1% 2. Your age group is (1)_9% Younger than 30 (2)_9%_ages (3)_8% (4)_9%_41-45 (5)_15%_46-50 (6)_18%_51-55 (7)_12%_56-60 (8)_13%_61-65 (9)_7%_ For how many years have you been involved in congregational ministry? (1)_16%_ 1-5 (2)_13%_6-10 (3)_11%_ (4)_15%_16-20 (5)_16%_21-25 (6)_7% (7)_7% (8)_14%_More than 35 years 4. The population of the community in which your congregation is located is (1)_14%_Rural (Under 1,000) (2)_26%_A town (1,001 to 10,000) (3)_16%_A small city (10,001 to 50,000) (4)_17%_A medium-sized city (50, ,000 (5)_2%_Suburb of a medium-sized city (6)_7%_A large city (250,001 to 1 million) (7)_6% Suburb of a large city (8)_4%_A metropolis (more than 1 million) (9)_7% Suburb of a metropolis 5. The average weekly worship attendance of the congregation you serve is (1)_32%_100 or less (2)_44%_ (3)_16%_ (4)_4% (5)_2% 751-1,000 (6)_2% 1,00l - 1,500 (7)_.4% More than 1,500 About Youth Confirmation (Please check only one item in each question.) 6. Young people begin youth confirmation in grade (1)_14%_Five (2)_27%_Six (3)_55% Seven (4)_2% Eight (5)_3% Other (Please name) 7. Confirmation classes meet (1)_30% After school (2)_47%_Weekday evenings (3)_3% Saturdays (4)_13%_Sunday mornings (5)_3% During the day in a Lutheran school (For how many minutes per week?) (6)_5% Another time (Please identify) 8. The number of young people currently enrolled in each year of youth confirmation is? (1)_6.7*_1 st year (2)_6.8*_2 nd year (3)_7.5* 3 rd year (4)_3.8* 4 th year * The mean 9. How many minutes are spent by youth in a confirmation class or a confirmation event each week? (1)_3%_45 min. (2) 35%_60 min. (3)_13%_75 min. (4)_36%_90 min. (5)_8% 120 min. (6) _6% Other 10. How challenging is it for confirmands to find a time to meet during a week? (1)_33%_Not a challenge (2)_43%_A challenge (3)_12%_It s difficult (4)_11%_It s very difficult 11. As a leader, how challenging is it for you to find time in your schedule for youth confirmation? (1)_72%_Not a challenge (2)_22%_A challenge (3)_5% It s difficult (4)_.7%_It s very difficult 12. How many senior high school youth, not confirmed, do you know who could begin confirmation? (1)_7%_Many (2)_14%_Some (3)_31% Few (4)_49% None 1

2 13. Who leads confirmation classes or events? (Please check only one item in each question.) (1)_49%_A pastor alone (2)11%_A pastor and DCE (3)_4%_A pastor and a Lutheran teacher (4)_21%_A pastor and a layperson(s) (5)_2%_A DCE alone (6)_0 A Lutheran teacher alone (7)_1.4%_A layperson(s) alone (8)_2.5%_A DCE and a layperson(s) (9)_.4%_A Lutheran teacher and a layperson(s) (10)_9% Other (Please specify) 14. The amount of time which you spend each week to prepare for confirmation activities is approximately (1)_23%_Less than 1 hour (2)_32%_1 hour (3)_30%_1-2 hours (4)_11%_2-3 hours (5)_4%_3 hours The structure of youth confirmation ministry in your congregations consists of: (Please check one item.) (1)_64%_Classes for confirmands who meet as a group once each week during the school year (2)_6% Classes for confirmands who meet weekly as a large group and as small groups (3)_12% Classes for confirmands, small groups, and an occasional retreat (4)_3% Classes for confirmands and classes involving parents (5)_.4%_Classes and small groups for confirmands as well as classes for parents (6)_5%_Classes and small groups for confirmands, parent classes, and retreats (7) 0 Retreats only (8)_10% Another structure (Please name) 16. If youth confirmation consists of retreats only, how much time do confirmands invest in retreats? (1) 0 retreats: _97% _; 1 retreat: _2% ; 2 retreats _.4% ; 3 retreats.7% (2)Hours in one retreat: 0 hrs:_98%_ 3 hrs:.4% 8-15 hrs:.8%_ 24 hrs:.4% 40 hrs:.4% 48 hrs._.4%_ 17. In the context of your entire ministry, how important to you is youth confirmation ministry? (1)_65%_Very important (2)_31%_Important (3)_4% Somewhat important (4)_1% Not important 18. Do adult mentors (other than parents) meet with confirmands as part of confirmation ministry? (1) 15%_They meet on a regular basis (2) 13%_They meet at various times (3) 72%_Mentors are not involved 19. In your view, how much help can be provided by adult mentors who meet regularly with confirmands? (1)_34%_A great deal of help (2)_31% Some help (3)_3% Little help (4)_33% I m not sure 20. How much time before beginning youth confirmation is spent in classes (not including Sunday School)? (1)_75% None (2)_4% 1 year (3)_7% 2 years (4)_4% 3 years (5)_3% 4 years (6)_8%_4 years+ 21. The chief content of classes before one begins youth confirmation is (1)_46%_The Bible (2)_2%_Luther s Small Catechism (3) 21%_The Bible and Luther s Small Catechism (4)_9%_Other content (Please name) (5)_23%_There is no specific content for these years 22. Is requiring a knowledge of key Bible content prior to beginning confirmation classes a good idea? (1)_66%_Definitely, yes (2)_26%_Probably, yes (3)_5% Probably, no (4)_3% Definitely, no 23. In your perspective, who does the confirming in the rite of confirmation? (1)_37%_ The pastor (2)_16%_The congregation (3) _35%_The youth (4)_13%_Other (Please name 24. Are reports on sermons required of confirmands as part of confirmation ministry? (1)_36%_Sermon reports are not required (2)_63%_Sermon reports are required 25. When is a confirmand invited for the first time to Holy Communion in relation to the rite of confirmation? (1)15% Prior to the rite (2)_27% During the rite (3)_55%_After the rite (4)_4% When one is ready 2

3 26. In your perspective, most young people are ready to receive Holy Communion at ages (1)_15%_9-10 (2)_24%_11-12 (3)_35%_13-14 (4)_3% (5)_24%_When one is ready 27. The rite of confirmation includes an examination of confirmands in (Please check one item.) (1)_17%_A worship service (2)_4% The presence of family (3)_24%_The presence of family and elders (4)_14%_A written essay read in worship (5)_27% Other (Please specify) (6)_14%_There is no examination in our confirmation ministry 28. The value which you give to examining confirmands in some form as part of the rite of confirmation is a (1)_34%_High value (2)_41%_Moderate value (3)_18%_Low value (4)_6% No value The Rite of Confirmation (Please check only one item in each question.) 29. Young people ordinarily confess their faith in the rite of confirmation in grade (1)_4%_Six (2)_10% Seven (3)_79%_Eight (4)_6% Nine (5)_1%_Ten (6)_1%_No confirmation rite 30. In your perspective, the ideal, the best time for the rite of confirmation is grade (1)_2% Five (2)_9%_Six (3)_8% Seven (4)_42%_Eight (5)_7% Nine (6)_8% Ten (7)_4% Other (Please name) (8)_20%_One s grade level is not relevant 31. In your congregation, the rite of confirmation ordinarily is scheduled on which day? (1)_19%_Palm Sunday (2)_17%_Pentecost (3)_2% Reformation Sunday (4)_24%_At various times (5)_38%_Another day (Please name) In the rite of confirmation, which of these practices are included? Yes No 32. A confession of faith by confirmands as a group (1)_90% (2)_10% 33. A written, spoken testimony of faith by each confirmand (1)_47% (2)_53% 34. Confirmands kneel for prayer and blessing (1)_98% (2) 2% 35. A laying on of hands by the pastor (1)_99% (2) 1% 36. Intercessory prayer by the congregation (1)_88% (2)_12% 37. Reading by the pastor of a special verse of Scripture (1)_98% (2) 2% 38. Robes worn by confirmands (1)_78% (2)_22% 39. Certificates of confirmation (1)_99% (2) 1% Topics in Youth Confirmation (Please check only one space in each item.) How much attention in youth confirmation is given to: Major Some None 40. The Ten Commandments (1)_95%_ (2) 5%_ (3) The Apostles Creed (1)_97%_ (2) 3%_ (3) The Lord s Prayer (1)_90%_ (2)_10%_ (3)_.4%_ 43. Holy Baptism (1)_97%_ (2) 3%_ (3) Holy Communion (1)_98%_ (2) 2%_ (3) Confession of Sins and Absolution (1)_78%_ (2)_22%_ (3) Biblical foundations of the Six Chief Parts (1)_70%_ (2)_29%_ (3) 1%_ 47. People, events, teachings of The Bible (1)_43%_ (2)_53%_ (3) 4%_ 48. Practice of daily prayer and meditation (1)_22%_ (2)_71%_ (3) 7%_ 49. Worship, liturgies, hymns, songs (1)_16%_ (2)_61%_ (3)_23%_ 50. A Christian s vocation (1)_13%_ (2)_68%_ (3)_20%_ 51. Making moral decisions (1)_42%_ (2)_53%_ (3)_5% 52. Sharing one s faith with others (1)_32%_ (2)_63%_ (3)_5% 53. One s role in the church s mission (1)_24%_ (2)_69%_ (3)_8% 54. Ethical issues related to human life (1)_31%_ (2)_63%_ (3)_7% 3

4 55. Illegal drugs and drinking (1)_14%_ (2)_72%_ (3)_14%_ 56. Dating, marriage, and family (1)_24%_ (2)_67% (3) 9%_ 57. The supernatural world, as astrology (1) 7%_ (2)_65% (3)_28%_ If there are additional topics which you discuss in youth confirmation, what are two to add to the list? 58. (See attached summaries) 59. Goals of Youth Confirmation Many goals for youth confirmation have been proposed. How do you rate the importance of each of the following possible goals? (Please check only one space for each item.) Very Somewhat Not Important Important Important Important 60. Make a public confession of faith (1)_60%_ (2)_33%_ (3) 7%_ (4)_.4%_ 61. Renew one s baptismal covenant (1)_58%_ (2)_29%_ (3) 8%_ (4) 6%_ 62. Prepare to receive Holy Communion (1)_69%_ (2)_21%_ (3) 6%_ (4) 4%_ 63. Receive the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands (1)_24%_ (2)_24%_ (3)_24%_ (4)_28%_ 64. Help one to grow in faith (1)_83%_ (2)_15%_ (3) 2%_ (4) Affirm Scripture as source and norm of faith (1)_78%_ (2)_19%_ (3)_3% (4)_.4%_ 66. Declare one s intent to live as Christ s servant (1)_64%_ (2)_31%_ (3)_4% (4) 1%_ 67. Demonstrate a knowledge of Luther s Small Catechism (1)_37%_ (2)_43%_ (3)_20%_ (4)_.7%_ 68. Discuss what being a Lutheran means (1)_32%_ (2)_44%_ (3)_22%_ (4) 2% 69. Become a fuller member of the church (1)_33%_ (2)_46%_ (3)_16%_ (4) 6%_ 70. Live daily in the light of one s baptism (1)_65%_ (2)_31%_ (3) 4%_ (4)_.4%_ 71. Commit to the mission of the church (1)_38%_ (2)_49%_ (3)_12%_ (4)_2% 72. Worship and commune faithfully (1)_79%_ (2)_20%_ (3) 1%_ (4) Welcome one as a communing member (1)_43%_ (2)_39%_ (3)_14%_ (4) 4%_ 74. Strengthen one s relationship with a pastor and other called church workers (1)_29%_ (2)_43%_ (3)_25%_ (4) 3%_ 75. Identify one s gifts for service (1)_23%_ (2)_39%_ (3)_27%_ (4)_11%_ 76. Share one s faith with others (1)_43%_ (2)_44%_ (3)_12%_ (4) 2%_ 77. Make moral decisions which express faith (1)_49%_ (2)_41%_ (3) 9%_ (4) 2%_ 78. Describe biblical views of marriage and family (1)_32%_ (2)_46%_ (3)_19%_ (4) 4%_ 79. Engage in serving church and community (1)_31%_ (2)_49%_ (3)_17%_ (4) 3%_ As you see it, the two most important goals of youth confirmation ministry are: 80. (See attached summaries) 81. Confirmation Ministry Perspectives 82. In your current youth confirmation ministry, what is the level of your satisfaction in this ministry? (1)_25%_High (2)_59%_Moderate (3)_14%_Low (4)_2% I m not sure In your current youth confirmation ministry, what are two sources of great satisfaction for you? 83. (See attached summaries) 84. 4

5 In your current youth confirmation ministry, what are two frustrations which you have experienced? 85. (See attached summaries) 86. What are two issues related to youth confirmation which have come to your attention? 87. (See attached summaries) 88. In your perspective, what are two changes in confirmation ministry that are needed? 89. (See attached summaries) 90. Five years from now, what do you see as two challenges in youth confirmation ministry? 91. (See attached summaries) In your congregation, how visible is the confirmation is graduation view? (1)_19%_Very visible (2)_41% Visible (3)_32% Somewhat visible (4)_8% Not visible If the confirmation is graduation view is evident, what are two ways of changing this attitude? 94. (See attached summaries) For most Lutherans, youth confirmation is the most important Christian education event in their lives. (1)_24%_I agree totally (2)_56%_I agree to some extent (3)_17%_I disagree (4)_2% I disagree totally Confirmation Ministry Resources 97. In your confirmation classes which resources do you use? (Please check only one item.) (1)_.4%_Primarily, The Bible (2)_3% Primarily, Luther s Small Catechism (3)_19% Primarily, The Bible and Luther s Small Catechism (4)_0 Primarily, a hymnal (5) 5% The Bible, Luther s Small Catechism, and a hymnal (6)_0 A teacher and student guide (7)_26%_The Bible, Luther s Small Catechism, and a teacher-student guide (8)_8 %_The Bible, Luther s Small Catechism, a hymnal, a teacher and student guide (9)_1.4%_Primarily, your own resources and The Bible (10)_18% Your own resources, The Bible and Luther s Small Catechism (11) 5%Your own resources, The Bible, Luther s Small Catechism, and a hymnal (12)_ 3%_Primarily, Faith Inkubators (13)_10%_Other (Please specify) 98. Is Stepping Stones (Faith Inkubators) integrated in youth confirmation ministry? (1)_7% Yes (2)_93%_No 99. Do you use a published confirmation curriculum or a confirmation program? (1)_45%_No (2)_55%_Yes (Please name) 100. If you just responded with a Yes, what is the level of your satisfaction with the curriculum or program? (1)_27%_High (2)_55%_Moderate (3)_14%_Some (4)_4%_Low 5

6 101. If you develop and use your own confirmation ministry resources, what is the level of your satisfaction? (1)_32%_High (2)_63%_Moderate (3)_5%_Some (4) Low If you use confirmation resources developed by CPH, what are two resources which you value? 102. (See attached summaries) 103. What are two suggestions for CPH to consider in developing new youth confirmation resources? 104. (See attached summaries) 105. About Luther s Small Catechism (Please check only one item.) 106. Overall, how do you assess the level of confirmands interest in a study of Luther s Small Catechism? (1)_8%_High interest (2)_54%_Moderate interest (3)_34%_Low interest (4)_3% No interest 107. For you, how important is a confirmand s clear grasp of the key content of Luther s Small Catechism? (1)_58%_Very important (2)_35%_Important (3)_7% Somewhat important (4)_.7%_Not important 108. To what extent can confirmands connect the teachings of Luther s Small Catechism to their own lives? (1)_16%_They can make many connections (2)_70% They can make connections with guidance (3)_12%_Making connections is a challenge (4) 3% Making connections is very difficult 109. The format of Luther s Small Catechism: with Explanation (1986 edition) is easy for youth to use. (1)_11%_I strongly agree (2)_63%_I agree (3)_23%_I disagree (4)_4% I strongly disagree 110. Luther s Small Catechism: with Explanation (1986 edition) is appropriate for youth to use as a prayer book. (1)_8% I strongly agree (2)_43%_I agree (3)_43%_I disagree (4)_5% I strongly disagree 111. Luther s Small Catechism:with Explanation (1986 edition) is appropriate for families to use as a prayer book. (1)_11%_I strongly agree (2)_49%_I agree (3)_36%_I disagree (4)_5%_I strongly disagree 112. My recommendation to a publisher is that the format of Luther s Small Catechism: with Explanation (1986 edition) be (1)_58%_Retained (2)_41%_Revised If you checked Revised, what are two revisions which you would suggest? 113. (See attached summaries) Most young people continue to use Luther s Small Catechism after the rite of confirmation. (1)_3% I strongly agree (2)_11%_I agree (3)_67%_I disagree (4)_19%_I strongly disagree In your confirmation classes, youth memorize (Please check all that apply.) (116)_78%_Selected Bible passages (117)_62%_The Six Chief Parts with explanations (118)_23%_The Six Chief Parts without explanations (119)_6% Selected Psalms (120)_25%_Luther s Morning and Evening Prayers (121)_11%_Christian Questions with Their Answers (122) 4%_Table of Duties (123)_97%_Other selections (Please name) 6

7 Leading Confirmands (Please check only one item in each question.) 124. How often do unacceptable behaviors of confirmands call for your intervention? (1)_6% Never (2)_47%_On rare occasions (3)_39% From time to time (4)_8% Often 125. What is the level of your interest in developing your own teaching, planning, and group management skills in leading youth confirmation? (1)_32%_High (2)_38%_Moderate (3)_23%_Low (4)_7%_I m not sure In your confirmation classes, how often do you use each of these teaching methods? (Please check one space for each item.) Every Class Every 2-3 Classes Every 4-5 Classes Never Use 126. Leading a discussion (1)_86%_ (2)_11%_ (3)_ 3% (4).8%_ 127. Presenting a lecture (1)_55%_ (2)_12%_ (3)_10% (4)_23%_ 128. Leading small groups (1)_32%_ (2)_11%_ (3)_19% (4)_38%_ 129. Asking questions (1)_95%_ (2) 4%_ (3) 1% (4) Connecting mentors and confirmands (1)_16%_ (2) 4%_ (3)_11% (4)_70%_ 131. Teaching through videos or DVDs (1) 4%_ (2)_15%_ (3)_46% (4)_36%_ 132. Using the Internet (1) 0 (2) 3%_ (3)_10% (4)_87%_ 133. Helping confirmands do research (1) 4%_ (2) 8%_ (3)_36% (4)_52%_ 134. Power Point presentations (1) 7%_ (2) 6%_ (3) 9% (4)_78%_ 135. Engaging youth in memory activities (1)_57%_ (2)_19%_ (3)_15% (4) 8%_ 136. Involving youth in projects (1) 4%_ (2)_16%_ (3)_44% (4)_36%_ 137. Teaching through Bible stories (1)_54%_ (2)_34%_ (3)_10% (4) 2%_ 138. Sharing one s own life experiences (1)_39%_ (2)_41%_ (3)_17% (4) 2%_ 139. Discussing a student resource (1)_12%_ (2)_20%_ (3)_32% (4)_36%_ 140. Teaching through music and/or art (1) 8%_ (2)_15%_ (3)_33% (4)_44%_ 141. Doing Bible study (1)_47%_ (2)_30%_ (3)_14% (4)_10%_ 142. Overhead projector and transparencies (1)_10%_ (2) 9%_ (3)_14% (4)_67%_ 143. Other methods that are used (Please name) About Parents 144. In your congregation, is there an organized family ministry directed by a staff person? (1)_12%_Yes (2)_79%_No (3)_8%_No, but a family minister is being considered 145. What kind of participation by parents of confirmands in planned education events is expected? (1)_13%_A requirement (2)_49%_Participation is encouraged (3)_15%An option (4)_23%_None is expected If parents are involved in youth confirmation, how are they involved? (Please check all that apply.) (146)_22%_They attend a parent class (The number of sessions is.) (147) 8%_They are in all confirmation classes with their youth (148)_28%_They attend confirmation events with their youth at various times (149) 2% _They attend a class for parents while youth are in their own class (150)_34%_They are given resources to use at home with their youth (151)_12%_They are given resources to read (152)_12%_They serve as mentors of small groups (153)_57%_They provide support such as transportation (154)_25%_Other kinds of involvement (Please name) 7

8 155. What is the level of your satisfaction with parent participation in the confirmation ministry? (1)_8% High (2)_38%_Moderate (3)_43%_Low (4)_12%_There is no parent participation Two sources of your satisfaction in working with parents of confirmands are: 156. (See attached summaries) 157. What are two frustrations which you have experienced in working with parents of confirmands? 158. (See attached summaries) What is the attitude of parents toward their involvement in confirmation ministry? (1) _7%_Very positive (2)_67%_Positive (3)_24%_Negative (4)_1% Very Negative If parents are positive about being involved in youth confirmation, what are two reasons for their enthusiasm? 161. (See attached summaries) 162. If parents are negative about their involvement in youth confirmation, what are two reasons for this attitude? 163. (See attached summaries) In your view, resources for involving parents in youth confirmation ministry are (1)_5%_ Very available (2)_22%_ Available (3)_51%_Somewhat available (4)_22%_Not available What are two suggestions for CPH to consider in developing resources for parents of confirmands? 166. (See attached summaries) 167. Faith Practices of Youth (Please check only one item in each question.) 168. How often do most confirmands worship with the congregation? (1)_59%_3-4 times a month (2)_35%_2 times a month (3)_3% once a month (4)_3% Hardly ever 169. During youth confirmation, is participation in a youth Bible study group expected? (1)_29% A requirement (2)_48%_Participation is encouraged (3)_9%_A family decision (4)_15% Option 170. Are confirmands involved in service projects in the congregation or in the larger community? (1)_19%_Required (2)_21%_Expected (3)_28%_An option (4)_32%_Not part of confirmation ministry 171. The number of confirmands who are active in the congregation as seniors in high school is about (1)_8%_80% or more (2)_13%_60%-80% (3)_36%_40%-60% (4)_21%_20%-40% (5)_21%_20% or less 172. What are the opportunities for a youth confirmation ministry to reach youth not connected to Christ? (1)_8%_Many (2)_41%_Some (3)_43%_Limited (4)_9%_None 173. What are the opportunities for youth confirmation ministry to equip youth to share their faith? (1)_18%_Many (2)_47%_Some (3)_33%_Limited (4)_3% None 8

9 174. Is there a youth group organized for confirmands prior to the rite of confirmation? (1)_56%_Yes (2)_29%_No (3)_15%_Confirmands are part of a youth group for all ages 175. Is there an organized youth group for young people following the rite of confirmation? (1)_80%_Yes (2)_16%_No (3)_6%_No, but a youth group is being discussed 176. In your perspective, is offering a confirmation ministry on-line to those not close to a church a good idea? (1)_12%_Definitely, yes (2)_20%_I think so (3)_41%_I m not sure (4)_27%_Definitely not 177. Among current confirmands, how many have shown an interest in becoming a full-time church worker? (1)_23%_One person (2)_11%_Two persons (3)_8%_Three persons or more (4)_58%_None at this time 9