1. Who are the Christian Educators in your congregation? Are they paid staff or volunteers? Volunteers X 11 Pastor and Volunteers X 5 None The associate pastors who work on this as a paid position, but relies heavily on volunteers to teach, organize, etc... Both One part-time (20 hours) Minister of Christian Education They are mostly volunteers with some staff Both paid: Pastor, Youth Director and volunteers: Christian Education team 20 hr./week paid For the most part, volunteer. Pastor occasionally 2. How would you define Faith Formation? What do you see as the mission of Faith Formation in your congregation? Faith formation is a life time learning what it means to be a "faith full believer in Jesus Christ and how to live our our lives knowing that Christ died for us. Very lacking...does not seem to be an area of high priority...we need to grow here, and not in giant steps! Slow, well thought out process is needed here...we need to realize it is not just the children, but the whole family. Faith formation begins by supporting families with infants throughout life. Faith formation happens as part of Sunday school, discussion groups, small bible study groups, as well as service projects that help us live out our faith. Worship is a strong partner of faith formation. One strengthens the other. Helping people to grow in the use of their faith. sanctification Helping people grow in their spirit walk with Christ While Faith Formation is one of our main focuses in the church, it is also one we struggle with a great deal. In some ways, as one lady said, "all" of what we do when we gather together is forming our faith. So we may need to be careful about the use of the term. I think you are more interested in "intentional" instruction. The difficulty in our congregation is building and maintaining interest. The mission is to grow the faith - so we can better follow Jesus. Faith Formation is a lifelong process of growing in relationship with God. As a congregation, we provide resources and experiences to help people with this process. To know our personal stories, to know how our personal stories fit into the larger story of the Church, and to be able to share our story with others. The process of growing Christians. Mutual experience of discipline that occurs in relationship & community. Formation through "Learning" is done together as shared experience that all have something to offer in discovering meaning through scripture, tradition, & witness. The mission is to nurture a vibrant and mature faith for the sake of vocational witness in the world. Faith going in search of understanding. Learning to trust God. Beginning to see him working in our lives. The building up of belief in the Triune God through curriculum based education, worship experience, and active participation within the life of the church by all ages. Mission: To steward and build upon the gift of faith as given by the Holy Spirit. discipleship - "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15) - more prayer (corporate & private) - Christ centered worship (Biblical preaching & Communion) - Spiritual gifts (understanding one's own & using them to build up each other) - helping people outside the congregation - lifting up Jesus Christ (welcoming people in and actually telling people about Christ and Him crucified) Help people mature as Disciples of Christ so that through their lives Christ is present in the world today. Growing the baptized people of God into their identity. That's the mission of Faith Formation in our congregation What we used to call Christian Education. In our congregation we try to see it as a life-long journey To make disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, proclamation of the word, Scripture study, and community service Faith Formation is the process of knowledge and relationships that God uses to lead us to a deeper faith in God. The Mission is for our Faith Formation teams to work to have an environment that encourages, supports and prods people toward a deeper faith. Giving people the God in Christ who can go with them anywhere on their journey and know they are loved, forgiven, and saved. 1
It's the 'next step' beyond 'just attending church'. It's the 'next step' beyond 'just Sunday School Bible stories'. learning to be like Christ growing deeper in faith lifelong learning we grow as we age and as we live life with all its ups and downs growing stronger Christians, growing stewards, growing church leaders 3. What is the most effective Faith Formation idea that you are using to equip adults to be Ambassadors for Christ? We have a weekly adult Bible Study. Bible Study that focuses on how we can be Ambassadors for Christ. Feasting on the Word, but other books that the lead pastor and adults choose, devotional materials provided in the tract rack--monthly materials to seasonal. Mentoring Sunday school discussion and various outreach activities in the community We have a Wednesday in the Word evening Bible Study that has welcomed 14-17 faithful adult students this year who are excited about reading and discussing scripture. We have a few who have participated in ACTS, almost no one goes to Power In The Spirit, we have a Wed morning and evening "class" (using different materials), and we have one remaining class Sunday morning, it goes over the Lectionary, with with only a couple people attending. Small group discussion We use a process loosely based on Wayne Muller's "How Then Shall We Live?" Bible studies and sermons As of now, interactive preaching and interactive bible study such as Lectio Divina. Sunday school classes with various topics of interest. Not sure. Bible Study and two adult ed classes lots of Bible study - biblical preaching - (talk a lot about prayer, but unsure how well its being heard) two -- small disciple ship groups; disaster-recovery work trips I'm working on getting them to come to faith formation. Donuts and coffee before church is getting them ready. Preaching Adult religious education. That people are responsible for their on formation. A good way to handle and read Scripture. A small number of members regularly attend PITS, several others attending ACTS bible study encouraging it so much lack of basic knowledge Ventures 4. What is the most effective Faith Formation idea that you are using to equip youth to be Ambassadors for Christ? Weekly Youth Meetings Confirmation Feasting on the Word, reform Mentoring Overnight lock ins, servant trips and synod youth gatherings Beyond Confirmation class, we have had little success. Sunday School has all but passed away, with two youth currently attending and little support from parents to make it a priority. They remain active in Synod events which are very helpful, and we have a few hit and miss for Sunday School - led by a young adult. (Materials vary) service opportunities Grow by example, encouragement, participation in youth events Same as adults; also allowing them to ask questions in our time together, and giving them leadership roles in the church (assisting minister, etc) 2
Confirmation camp Not sure. Confirmation Cluster of northern end of Central Valley Conference. encouraging them to lead in worship (including youth lead services) - trying to make parents understand that their children will value what they value Letting them plan their service activities and help them carry them out themselves. Youth events sponsored by Synod supplemented by youth events here in the congregation Sunday School Worship, Arts and Music program Youth group Youth Sunday That faith and action go together. Walking with them, helping them see where God is in everything they go through. Synod events, Lost & Found, Kairos, Winter Cell, help the get 'pumped up' to return home and get engaged in regular worship and service confirmation class and youth group activities involvement in the church as lectors acolytes etc We have dedicated teachers in the junior high and senior high age groups 5. What is the most effective Faith Formation idea that you are using to equip children to be Ambassadors for Christ? Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Community held events. Feasting on the Word Use of songs Sunday school and involving them in various parts of the worship such as readers, helpers for communion, ushers, taking up the offering etc. Not much beyond children's messages as part of our Sunday morning worship. We've struggled to have positive contact with parents to support Faith Formation programs, having tried Sunday morning and non-sunday morning offerings alike. They'll come out for "fun" holiday oriented events, but not make a weekly commitment. We've been using Holy Moly with good success. service opportunities Our youth are very young, so we are mostly teaching them Bible stories for now. Bible school and Sunday school Teaching of Small catechism elements, the Lord's Prayer, Creed, Sacraments. Not so much the meaning, but so that they know them and are familiar with central things of Christian faith. First communion classes Not sure. Sunday School Opening Sunday School - participating in worship - trying to make parents understand that their children will value what they value They also get to choose service activities and carry them out with adult help. Sunday School Children's Church and the Children's Message during worship services Youth Sunday That worship is a deep connection with God and people of all ages can enter into it. Tell them stories and be the strong foundation for them. Minister of Music has annual sessions of WAM! - Worship, Arts & Music program VBS and Easter and Christmas parties with the story the focus using curriculum that follows the gospel lessons and following up with many and varied activites to reinforce those lessons 3
6. What is the most effective Faith Formation idea that you are using to equip preschoolers to be Ambassadors for Christ? I do weekly devotions with the Preschool Children at St. John. It is a 20 minute Chapel time of singing and a Bible story. Sunday School, and a good Nursery Program. Splash, involving them in worship and other areas Sunday school Not much beyond cradle roll mailings. Holy Moly modeling healthy relationships Bible School Using Spark Bible to tell Gospel stories each week in children's chapel and children's sermon. Familiarity with the biblical narrative. Loving environment Our preschool Children's Sermons trying to make parents understand that their children will value what they value See #4 and #5 Sunday School Children's Church during the worship service Sunday School (And family members) That God loves them. Modeling love and structure. Very few preschoolers right now - children's chat and children's church sending roots and wings vbs inclusion as above Simple lessons that follow the church year. Easy songs, drama and story telling 7. What is something innovative that your congregation is doing or has tried in its Faith Formation ministry that worked well? We were having monthly Sunday Night Programs inviting the Community. Example would be an Epiphany Party, Mentoring Doing lots of various outreach trying to appeal to different interests such as Micah's backpack, Oasis soup kitchen, sponsorship of missionary, sponsorship of compassion international child, baskets of promise, noisy offerings etc. In my past church we were able to a "living the faith" program where we took you to member's work sites and learn what they do and how they apply their faith to their jobs. Haven't been able to find a comparable way to do that in the current setting. I don't know that we have, other than the Holy Moly stuff. We are about to start increasing our cultivation and sharing of online resources with youth and adults. Adult Bible School during the little ones' Bible School. Not necessarily innovative, however the ACTS program provided education for our lay leaders growth and experience. Yes. Interactive sermons as a norm, rather than exception in worship. Also, we are beginning to have congregation members write intercessory prayers in their own words. Sunday school opening for all ages women's retreats - women's Bible study (not very innovative, but seem to help members grow as disciples Our lead faith formation teacher wrote the curriculum we are using for the year. She took all the water stories in the Bible and has been teaching them to the children. Along with the water emphasis, we have been raising money for water systems for countries that need them. We rasied enough for 5 towns! 4
The Pastor, Christian Education chair and Sunday School interdependent work together to discuss/plan the Faith Formation ministry Youth Sunday Community Service Prrojects A weekly pot-luck for everyone no matter where they are on their journey so they can share and listen We ran a Sunday evening 'contemporary service' for about 6 to 8 years. Like a lot of programs, they, run their course, so did ours. movie bible study We went back to the "old fashioned Sunday School opening for preschool through elementary grades. Storytelling, music and drama - then children to classes or a rotation 8. In what ways can the Syndical Minister for Faith Formation be helpful to your congregation? More opportunities closer to Southwest Virginia so we can get other people interested. Local events that may help people in this local task-that are more than selling a particular product or line of products. There is nothing wrong with that--but helpful ways to teach, study the Bible etc... Share ideas of what other congregations are doing that are working for them. I'd be interested in ways we could be using technology better to get the message out and maybe enhance family opportunities for devotion as well as their connection to their church. Step by step instructions would be helpful, but unfortunately we can't make the event hosted at the far side of the Synod. Share ideas I guess. Point us toward the most current and most helpful resources and ideas. Generate ideas or adaptations of ideas for very small rural churches. As of now, I find the resources and programs offered by the Synod significantly lacking to meet the challenges of faith formation in a post-modern, globalized, technological world. Be available to help with planning. Give us ideas and information so that faith can be shared more than Sundays. Roots and Wings is good, but perhaps there are other ideas. pray for us Hold events on this topic on the conference and synod level Identify resources Organize workshops Create a webpage Identify grant resources Always suggesting resources and ideas Brain storming - creative ideas to startle the imagination. Periodic area seminars? PRAY for us offer things around the synod our folks wont travel We benefitted from workshops similar to FISH None in recent years 9. What specific resources do you need to strengthen your preschoolers, children, youth, adult and family ministries? We need families to participate...use the older part of the Congregation to help build up and strengthen the younger group of the Congregation. I think a workshop that the sexual misconduct for clergy-making something like that available regionally for volunteers with these age groups. How to make it required if you are going to work with vulnerable age groups. Sunday school curriculum that is fun, easy to use and gets the messages across to different types of learners. Can't think of any.???????? The most helpful resource to strengthen our faith formation ministries is actually paid staff. We have reached a point where continued growth will require staffed leadership. Haven't a clue as to how to respond. We'll need to develop the direction or ideas or programs and then we'll understand the resource needs we might have. 5
Resources for the home; resources that help people develop the ability to interpret and "do theology" on their own and in their contexts (practical theology). Same as above. More people involved More volunteers An educated laity Some key adults to participate in leadership out of a conviction of their giftedness. Children and Youth are always a struggle. We want to be authentic and yet timely. Parental participation and enthusiasm. alternative Sunday school ideas they just won t come or be brought?? 10. Please offer any additional comments or suggestions. Thank you for your input! Thanks for asking Keep the small, rural churches tucked into the back of your mind as you develop programs and events with the larger, urban Lutheran congregations. Often we little churches can adapt, modify, spark and idea from reading about the bigger churches' undertakings. I question the current faith formation program's ability to nurture faith. I have found in my congregations that even those that attend them seem to have little understanding of basic tenants of faith (mainly communicating grace!) It is heavily information based, relying on "teacher/learner" dynamics that worked in a Christendom world. This creates the power dynamic that simply disengages people today. Scripture, tradition and witness inform our experiences in life, they do not dictate them as in previous generations. Those resources exist, so I suggest looking outside the synod at what other synods and denominations are doing in other areas of the country. We are exploring the idea of adding a part-time, paid Faith Formation person to our staff Need ideas on how to operate a strong Faith Formation program in a small congregation. 6