A 21 st Century View of Children & Youth Faith Formation John Roberto, LifelongFaith Associates An Ecological Approach 1
Exemplary YM Research Congregational Culture It is the culture of the whole church that is most influen?al in nurturing youth of vital Chris?an faith. Family & Household Faith Congregational Life & Ministries Youth Ministry Congregational Leadership 2
Spiritual Influence Models Faith Interpersonal & Leadership Competence Support Teams & Leaders Congrega3onal Leadership Congrega3onal Faith & Quali3es Discipleship Scripture Prayer & Worship Mission Intergenera3onal Community Life Parental Faith Family Faith Prac3ces Family Harmony Family Rela3onships Family & Household Faith Age-Group Ministry Focus on Jesus Environment Rela3onships Mul3ple Approaches Well Organized Congregational Culture:44 Assets Congregational Faith & Qualities Congregational Leadership Qualities Youth Ministry Qualities Family & Household Faith Qualities 3
Faith Forming Processes Church Year Seasons Learning the Tradition Praying Spiritual Formation Reading the Bible Rituals & Milestones Serving Working for Justice Caring for Creation Caring Relationships GROWTH IN FAITH Worshipping Intergenerational Connections The congrega3on s basic ministries are thoroughly intergenera3onal. Young people are welcomed and expected to par?cipate. Young people lead in church-wide ministries: Ø Worship Ø Educa?on Ø Fellowship Ø Service and Outreach Ø Decision-making 4
Family Faith Parental Faith Life & Practice Parental Help with Problems Family Harmony Parental Affection toward Children Family Faith Parents possess and prac-ce a vital and informed faith understanding the Chris?an faith, par?cipa?ng in worship, praying, and engaging in service and mission. Family members expressions of respect and love create an atmosphere promo-ng faith. Parents engage youth and the whole family in conversa-ons, prayer, Bible reading, and service that nurture faith and life. 5
Youth Ministry Qualities Congrega3ons have developed age-level ministries. Marked by trusted rela?onships Custom-designed ministry prac?ces and ac?vi?es Caring atmosphere of high expecta?on Mul?ple nurturing rela?onships and ac?vi?es inten?onally planned to create: n atmosphere of respect n growth n belonging Generates an alterna?ve youth subculture Peer Ministry & Youth Leadership Retreats Service & Mission Trips Family & Intergenerational Activities Common YM Practices Bible Study & Religious Education Special Events Prayer Youth- Oriented Worship Spiritual Support Groups 6
Congregational Leadership Posi3ve Characteris3cs & Competence (devout faith and exemplary life, interpersonal competence, effec?ve role model for others, helps youth on their spiritual journey) Leadership Effec3veness (trusted and respected, leadership skills, recruits and trains leaders, supports leaders, good organizer, works with parents) Research to Practice 1. Take an ecological view. 2. Pay a_en?on to the culture of the whole congrega?on 3. Recognize the power of the congrega?on s theological commitments. 4. Make discipleship the heart of congrega?onal life & ministries. 7
Research to Practice 5. Nurture the power of faith-filled, mul?- genera?onal Chris?an rela?onships; create inten?onal intergenera?onal connec?ons, rela?onships, and faith experiences between all ages and genera?ons. 6. Equip parents for family socializa?on & faith prac?ce at home. 7. Deepen the faith and spiritual life of parents. A Network Approach 8
A shift from education to learning anywhere, anytime. A shift from consumption of information to participatory learning. A shift from institutions to networks. 9
Faith Formation Networks A network of rela-onships, content, experiences, & resources.... Ø Offering a variety of content, methods, formats, and delivery systems (online & physical seings) to address the diverse life tasks and situa?ons, needs and interests, and spiritual and faith journeys of people. Ø Offering content and experiences that is responsive to the diverse religious and spiritual needs of people today from the spiritually commi_ed and engaged to the spiritual but not religious and the unaffiliated. Ø Offering mul-ple environments to address people s busy lives and providing more ways to par?cipate: self-directed, mentored, at home, in small groups, in large groups, churchwide, in the community, and in the world. Faith Formation Networks Digitally-Enabled Blending gathered community seings with online learning environments and u?lizing the abundance of digital media and tools for learning and faith forma?on 10
Faith Forming Processes Learning the Tradition Praying Spiritual Formation Church Year Seasons Reading the Bible Rituals & Milestones Serving Working for Justice Caring for Creation Caring Relationships GROWTH IN FAITH Worshipping Faith Formation Networks 1. Caring Rela?onships 2. Celebra?ng the Seasons 3. Celebra?ng Rituals & Milestones 4. Learning the Chris?an Tradi?on 5. Praying & Spiritual Forma?on 6. Reading the Bible 7. Serving, Working for Jus?ce, & Caring for Crea?on 8. Worshipping God 9. Life Stage Issues 10. Missional Content Area Content Area Content Area Faith Community Content Area Content Area Content Area 11
Missional Outreach Youth Programs Confirmation Family Life For Parents Adolescent Faith Formation Network Adolescent Life Issues Bible Study & Religious Learning Youth Leadership Service & Mission Trips Prayer & Spiritual Formation 12