Focus


What could faith formation in
Christian churches look like in
2020?
Specifically, how can Christian
congregations provide vibrant
faith formation to address the
spiritual and religious needs of
all ages and generations over
the next 10 years?
Thinking about
the Future
Scenario Thinking


Scenarios are not predictions or strategies.
They are more like hypotheses of different
futures specifically designed to highlight the
risks and opportunities involved in specific
strategic issues.
The purpose of scenario thinking is not to
identify the most likely future, but to create
a map of uncertainty — to acknowledge and
examine the visible and hidden forces that
are driving us toward the unknown future.
Thinking about
the Future
The point is not to gather evidence for
some “most probable” future. The
point is rather to entertain a number of
different possibilities in order to make
better choices about the future in the
face of inevitable uncertainties.
 The test of a good set of scenarios is
not whether in the end it turns out to
portray the future accurately, but
whether it enables an organization to
learn, adapt, and take effective action.

Driving
Forces

Driving forces are the forces of
change—social, economic, political,
technological, educational, cultural,
and religious—that are most likely
to affect the future shape of faith
formation and significantly
influence the nature or direction of
the faith formation scenarios.
Driving
Forces
8 Key Driving Forces
1.
2.
3.
4.
Declining number of Christians
and growing number of people
with no religious affiliation.
Increasing number of people
becoming more “spiritual” and
less “religious”
Declining participation in
Christian churches
Increasing diversity and pluralism
in U.S. society
Driving
Forces
8 Key Driving Forces
5.
6.
7.
8.
Increasing influence of
individualism on Christian identity
and community life
Changing patterns of marriage
and family life
Declining family religious
socialization
Increasing use of digital age &
web technologies
Driving
Forces
1. Declining number of Christians &
growing number with no religious
affiliation
 15% of all Americans claim no
religious affiliation
 25% of all 18-29 year
 10% drop in the number of Christians
 The challenge to Christianity in the U.S.
does not come from other religions but
from a rejection of all forms of
organized religion.
Driving
Forces
2. Increasing number of people
becoming more “Spiritual” and
less “Religious”
 Today, 18% of 18-39 year olds say
that are “spiritual, but not religious”
compared to only 11% a decade
ago.
 Religious tinkering & developing a
religious or spiritual identity
Driving
Forces
3. Declining Participation in Churches
 Steady erosion in Mass attendance:
44% in 1987
37% in 1999
33% in 2005
 Pre-Vatican II (before 1940): 60%
 Vatican II (1941-60): 35%
 Post-Vatican II (Gen X 1960-79): 26%
 Post-Vatican II (Millennial 1980-99):
15%
Driving
Forces
 Marrying later and beginning families
later
 Dramatic decline in the number of
marriages in the Church
▪ 50% decline in the past 20 years
▪ 33% of Post-Vatican II Catholics
marry outside the Church
 Increase in interfaith marriages
▪ 40% among Post-Vatican II
generation
▪ 50% of all non-Latino marriages
Driving
Forces
Participation Trends in the Catholic Church 2001-2008
(Using figures from the Official Catholic Directory)
Catholic population
Parishes
Marriages
Infant Baptisms
Adult Baptisms
Confirmations
First Communions
Children (parish)
Teens (parish)
Grade school students
HS students
2001
65.3 million
19,496
257,000
1 million
162,000
629,000
893,000
3.5 million
767,000
2 million
682,000
2008
68.1 million
18,674
192,000
887,000
124,000
622,000
822,000
3.1 million
722,000
1.6 million
674,380
Driving
Forces
4. Increasing Diversity & Pluralism
in U.S. Society
 Diversity of ethnic cultures and
nationalities
 No single authority exercises
supremacy; no single belief or
ideology dominations
 Tapestry of religious and spiritual
alternatives and choices
 Crisscrossing religious boundaries
 “Spiritual tinkerers”
Driving
Forces
5. Influence of Individualism on
Christian Identity and
Community
 Religious identity is more
autonomous and deliberate today.
 Decline in the perceived necessity of
communal or institutional
structures as constituent of religious
identity.
Driving
Forces
6. Changing Structures & Patterns
of Family Life in the U.S.
 Delaying marriage
 Having fewer children and later in
life
 Decreasing number of children in
two-parent households
 Increasing number of unmarried
couples living together
 Increasing time caring for children
Driving
Forces
7. Declining Family Religious
Socialization
 Parent Influence: The single most
important social influence on the
religious and spiritual lives of
adolescents is their parents.
 Embedded Family Religious
Practices: Effective religious
socialization comes about through
specific religious activities that are
firmly intertwined with the daily
habits of family life.
Driving
Forces
“. . . teenagers with seriously religious
parents are more likely that those without
such parents to have been trained in their
lives to think, feel, believe, and act as
serious religious believers, and that that
training “sticks” with them even when the
leave home and enter emerging
adulthood”
Driving
Forces
“Emerging adults who grew up with
seriously religious parents are through
socialization more likely (1) to have
internalized their parents religious
worldview, (2) to possess the practical
religious know-how needed to live more
highly religious lives, and (3) to embody
the identity orientations and behavioral
tendencies toward continuing to practice
what they have been taught religiously.”
Driving
Forces
“At the heart of this social causal
mechanism stands the elementary process
of teaching—both formal and informal,
verbal and nonverbal, oral and behavioral,
intentional and unconscious, through both
instruction and role modeling. We believe
that one of the main ways by which
empirically observed strong parental religion
produced strong emerging adult religion in
offspring is through the teaching involved in
socialization.”
(Souls in Transition: The Religious & Spiritual Lives of
Emerging Adults by Christian Smith with Patricia Snell)
Driving
Forces
8. Increasing Impact of Digital Media
& Web Technologies
 93% of teens & young adults are
online
 “Computer in your pocket” increasing mobile access - iPhone
 8-18 year olds spend on average 7½
hours a day with media
4 Scenarios

Scenarios are built around critical
uncertainties about the external
environment. That is, the stories are
based on different outcomes of a
few key uncertainties that are both
most important to the future of
faith formation in Christian
churches and most uncertain in
terms of future outcome.
4 Scenarios
Two Critical Uncertainties
1.
Will trends in U.S. culture lead people
to become more receptive to organized
religion, and in particular Christianity
or will trends lead people to become
more resistant to organized religion
and Christianity?
2.
Will people’s hunger for and openness
to God and the spiritual life increase
over the next decade or will people’s
hunger for and openness to God and
the spiritual life decrease.
4 Scenarios

The “Future of Faith Formation
Framework” was developed
because the combination of
receptivity to organized religion
and Christianity, and openness or
hunger for God and the spiritual life
seemed to best express people’s
contemporary experience today and
over the next decade.
Dominant Cultural Attitude toward Organized Religion
Receptive
Low
High
People’s Hunger for God and the Spiritual Life
Resistant
4 Scenarios
Receptive to Organized Religion
Scenario #4
Scenario #1
Uncommitted but
Vibrant Faith and
Participating
Active Engagement
Low
Hunger for God
Scenario #3
Unaffiliated and
Uninterested
High
Scenario #2
Spiritual but Not
Religious
Resistant to Organized Religion
Scenario #1. Vibrant Faith & Active Engagement
The first scenario describes a world in which people
of all ages and generations are actively engaged in
a Christian church, are spiritually committed, and
growing in their faith. People have found their
spiritual home within an established Christian
tradition and a local faith community that provides
ways for all ages and generations to grow in faith,
worship God, and live their faith in the world.
Congregations are challenged to provide lifelong
faith formation for all ages and generations, at
home and at church, that develops vibrant faith, is
continuous throughout life, and engages all people
in the life and mission of the church community.
Scenario #2. Spiritual, but Not Religious
The second scenario describes a world in which people
are spiritually hungry and searching for God and the
spiritual life, but mostly likely not affiliated with
organized religion and an established Christian
tradition. Some may join a nondenominational
Christian church focused on their spiritual needs, while
others may find an outlet for their spiritual hunger in
small communities of like-minded spiritual seekers, in
acts of service—locally or globally, or in online spiritual
resources and communities. The Spiritual, but Not
Religious reflect a growing minority of the American
population, especially among the 18-39 year olds.
Congregations are challenged to engage people
where their live (physical and virtual communities),
build relationships, engage in spiritual conversations,
and offer programs and activities that nurture their
spiritual growth.
Scenario #3. Unaffiliated & Uninterested
The third scenario describes a world in
which people experience little need for God
and the spiritual life and are not affiliated
with organized religion and established
Christian churches. The Unaffiliated and
Uninterested reject all forms of organized
religion and reflect a steadily increasing
percentage of the American population,
especially among the 18-29 year olds.
Congregations are challenged to find ways
to “plant” themselves in the midst of the
cultures and worlds of the Unaffiliated and
Uninterested, build relationships, and be
witnesses to the Christian faith in the world
today .
Scenario #4. Uncommitted but Participating
The fourth scenario describes a world in which
people attend church activities, but are not actively
engaged in their church community or spiritually
committed. They may participate in significant
seasonal celebrations and celebrate sacraments
and milestone events. Some may even attend
worship regularly, and send their children to
religious education classes. Their spiritual
commitment is low and their connection to the
church is more social and utilitarian than spiritual.
Congregations are challenged to provide faith
formation that recognizes that belonging
(engagement) leads to believing (spiritual
commitment) and a more vibrant faith, and develop
approaches for increasing people’s engagement
with the church community and the Christian
tradition.
4 Scenarios
Receptive to Organized Religion
Scenario #4
Scenario #1
Uncommitted but
Vibrant Faith and
Participating
Active Engagement
Low
Hunger for God
Scenario #3
Unaffiliated and
Uninterested
High
Scenario #2
Spiritual but Not
Religious
Resistant to Organized Religion
Apply
Applying the 4 Scenarios
 Who are we currently
reaching/serving/engaging in each
scenario?
 What is your doing in faith formation in
each scenario?
 Who should are we not
reaching/serving/engaging in each
scenario?
 What are the religious and spiritual
needs of people we are not
reaching/serving/engaging?
Assess
Assessing the Impact of the 4 Scenarios
What are the challenges that this scenario
presents for the future of faith formation in
your church community?
What are the opportunities that this
scenario presents for the future of faith
formation in your church community?
What are the implications of not
addressing the future of faith formation in
this scenario?
What are the implications of addressing
the future of faith formation in this
scenario?
Focus


What could faith formation in
Christian churches look like in
2020?
Specifically, how can Christian
congregations provide vibrant
faith formation to address the
spiritual and religious needs of
all ages and generations over
the next 10 years?
Strategies
1. Faith Formation through the Life of
the Whole Church
2. Faith Formation with Digital Media
and Web Technologies
3. Family Faith Formation
4. Intergenerational Faith Formation
5. Generational Faith Formation:
▪ iGeneration (2000 - )
▪ Millennials (1980-1999)
▪ Gen X (1964-1979)
▪ Boomers (1946-1964)
▪ Builders (1945 and earlier)
Strategies
6. Milestones Faith Formation
7. Faith Formation in Christian
Practice
8. Transforming the World
9. Spiritual Formation
10. Multi-Ethnic Faith Formation
11. Faith Formation for Spiritual
Seekers
Strategies
12. Apprenticeships in Discipleship
13. Pathways to Vibrant Faith and
Active Engagement
14. Faith Formation in Third Place
Settings
15. Empowering the Community to
Share their Faith
16. Interfaith Education and Dialogue
4 Scenarios
Receptive to Organized Religion
Scenario #4
Scenario #1
Uncommitted but
Vibrant Faith and
Participating
Active Engagement
Low
Hunger for God
Scenario #3
Unaffiliated and
Uninterested
High
Scenario #2
Spiritual but Not
Religious
Resistant to Organized Religion
Developing Strategies for
W
Each hScenario
a
t
Scenario #4
+ Faith formation using digital
media & web technologies
+ Family faith formation
+ Milestones faith formation
+ Pathways to vibrant faith &
active engagement
Scenario #1
+ Faith formation using digital
d
media
& web technologies
o
+ Faithe formation with the
s
iGeneration
& Millennials
+ Empowering the community
to share their faith
Scenario #3
+ Faith formation using digital
media & web technologies
+ Faith formation in Third Place
settings
+ Transforming the world
projects
Scenario #2
+ Faith formation using digital
media & web technologies
+ Faith formation in Third Place
settings
+ Faith formation with spiritual
seekers
Digital
Faith Formation

Blend face-to-face, interactive faith
formation with virtual faith formation
using web-based technologies and
digital media to provide 24x7 faith
formation for all ages and
generations, anytime and anywhere.
Digital
Faith Formation


Blended faith formation: virtual and
face-to-face
Interactive faith formation: people
connecting online with each other,
share their stories and faith
experiences, give witness to the ways
they are living their faith (practices),
create faith formation content (print,
audio, video) to share with others, and
so many other user-generated
activities.
Digital
Faith Formation
Digital media resources in faith
formation
 Church website & online faith
formation center
 Online learning programs, courses,
and resources

Digital
Faith Formation
Online
Community
& Blog
Learning
Resources
Audio,
Video, Print
Face-to-Face
Interactive
Transformative
Experiences
UserGenerated
Content
Courses &
Webinars
Small Groups
Study
Family Faith Formation


Strengthen family religious
socialization, especially in the first
decade of life—by nurturing a vibrant
faith in parents and equipping them
with the skills and tools for developing
faith at home.
Develop the home as a center of faith
formation by promoting foundational
family faith practices: caring
conversations, rituals and traditions,
prayer, Bible reading, and service.
Family Faith Formation



Educate and equip parents to embed
foundational faith practices into the
daily experience of family life.
Develop family programs: milestone
faith formation, family learning, family
service
Engage families more fully in the life
and ministries of the church community.
Family Faith Formation

Family Socialization: Begin faith
formation early in life – at Baptism
and focusing on early childhood.
 family faith formation at home –
family faith practices
 parent formation
 parent support system /
mentoring
 resources for the first 5-6 years of
life
 milestone faith formation
Generational &
W
Intergenerational
h
a
t
Lifelong faith formation that is
d
generationally-specific,
developed
o
around the specifices characteristics of
the five generations in a faith
community
AND
intentionally intergenerational
across all generations in learning,
service/mission, worship, community
life
W
h
a
t
Intergenerational
Intentionally Intergenerational
 intergenerationaldo learning: large
group and small egroup
s
 intergenerational Bible study
 intergenerational service projects
and mission trips
 infuse intergenerational
relationships into existing agegroup programming , e.g.,
mentoring
W
h
a
t
formation
Intergenerational

Develop a faith
curriculum for
the whole communityd using
o
intergenerational learning.
e
 Church Year Feasts
s and Seasons
 Creed & Catholic Beliefs
 Sacraments
 Morality / “Ten Commandments for
Today”
 Justice, Peace, Care for Creation,
Service, Catholic Social Teaching
 Prayer Practices and Traditions
W
h
a
t
Intergenerational
Example: Church Year Feasts and Seasons
Dec Advent & Christmasd Seasons
o
(Preparing for and Birth
of the Messiah)
e
Feb Lenten Season
s
(Praying, Fasting, Almsgiving)
Mar Triduum
(Death of the Messiah)
April Easter Season
(Resurrection of the Messiah)
May Feast of Pentecost
(Mission of the Church)
Nov Feast of All Saints
(Communion of Saints)
Generational &
W
Intergenerational
h
a
t
Generationally-Specific
d
 iGeneration (2000
o -)
e
s
 Millennials (1980-1999)
 Generation X (1964-1979)
 Boomers (1946-1964)
 Builders (up to 1945)
iGeneration &
W
New Ways
to Learn
h






a
t
digital natives: web, social
networking, digitaldo media
formed by media &e visual learners
s
ability to use technology to create a
vast array of content
openness to change
desire for immediacy
learning style: active, engaged,
creative (project-centered), visual,
practice & performance, digital
Millennials & Faith
Expressive Communalism
Emerging adults have embedded their lives
in spiritual communities in which their
desire and need for both
expressive/experiential activities,
whether through art, music, or serviceoriented activities, and for a close-knit,
physical community and communion
with others are met. They are seeking to
develop a balance for individualism and
rational asceticism through religious
experience and spiritual meaning in an
embodied faith.
Millennials & Faith
The dominant characteristic was a desire for a
theologically grounded belief that makes sense
cognitively, combined with nonrational
expressive tendencies—they want a faith that
makes cognitive sense to them and that is also an
expressive, embodied spiritual experience. Young
adult Christians are searching for a more holistic
faith than what a purely cognitive and rational
approach can offer. They are seeking both a deep
spiritual experience and a community experience,
each of which provides them with meaning in
their lives, and each of which is meaningless
without the other.
(Finding Faith by Richard Flory & Donald Miller)
Millennials & Faith


Expressive Communalism
expressive/experiential faith
activities (worship, learning, rituals,
prayer) and physical community
with others
a faith that makes cognitive sense
to them and that is also an
expressive, embodied spiritual
experience
Millennials & Faith







Creating deeper community through small
groups
Making a difference through service
Experiencing worship – reflecting their culture
and revering and revealing God (visual,
musical, artistic, experiential)
Exploring the Bible and Christian tradition
with depth, questioning, and applying faith to
life
Utilizing the technology to communicate the
message and to connect people
Building cross-generational relationships
Forming the spiritual life – spiritual practices
& disciplines
Generation X


Desire first for community and belonging, and
second for personal fulfillment. Personal
fulfillment comes through commitment to the
community, and through the experience of
belong to such a religious/spiritual
community.
Religious truth, while important to them, is
not a fixed target, and is found through their
religious experience, not in texts and
doctrines. Truth, for Xers, is best conveyed
through stories and myth, and is
authenticated through the lived experience of
themselves and others, rather than through
the pronouncements—and propositional
arguments—of external authorities.
Generation X
Generation X is moving from written text
to narrative and image as a basis for
religious belief. Image and story have
become dominant and text background.
 There is a move from the essentially
individualistic spiritual quest that
characterizes baby boomers to a
religious/spiritual identity rooted in the
larger community.
 Greater individual authority in religious
and moral decisions.

Generation X
Religious identity chosen through
experience and study.
 Choosing a specific community, rather
than committing to a larger denomination.
 Being experientially engaged in a religious
community, not “show up and watch”
 interpersonal relationships with people
who express and explore their religious
identities in similar ways

Baby Boomers @ 60
Baby Boomers @ 60

Service: Boomers want to do something
interesting and challenging. They are ready
to jump into a worthwhile cause where they
feel that can make a significant difference.
Boomers want service opportunities that
have a mission. They want do to do things
that give their lives purpose, meaning, and
fulfillment. They want to know their
contributions truly matter. Show Boomers
how they might use their past work
experiences as tools for service. Help them
tap into their passion.
Baby Boomers @ 60

Spiritual Growth: Later Adulthood is a season
of significant life transitions and people are
more responsive to religion. A second reason
is Boomers quest to find meaning and purpose
in life as they enter the second half of life and
evaluate the things that really provide lasting
fulfillment. A third reason adults are open to
faith and spiritual growth is their desire for
meaningful relationships.
 small group faith formation
 host events that appeal to interests & needs
 service opportunities
Baby Boomers @ 60

Intergenerational Relationships: Developing
intergenerational relationships is one of the
best ways to break age-related stereotypes, to
share faith across generations, and to help the
church become more unified
 encourage generations to serve together
 form groups according to similar interests
rather than age
 encourage adults to pray for young people
and vice versa
 host strategic intergenerational events
 ask adults to tell their stories, at events or
programs, and capture them on video or in
print
Builder Generation






Spiritual enrichment: “spirituality of
aging” programs, spiritual disciplines and
practices, retreats, rituals to acknowledge
life transitions
Learning: book clubs, classes and courses,
Bible study, small groups, trips
Nutrition and wellness: exercise
programs, nutrition classes, healthy meals
with programs
Intergenerational: activities, coaching,
mentoring
Service: tutoring, service—local and
global, church ministry
Community: social activities, trips,
dinners, pilgrimages
Milestones
Faith Formation

Develop faith formation (learning,
worship/ritual, faith practices)
around lifecycle milestones,
sacramental celebrations, and life
transitions to deepen people’s faith,
strengthen their engagement in
church life, and equip them with
practices for living their faith.
Milestones
Faith Formation

















Birth / Baptism & Anniversaries of Baptism
Welcoming Young Children to Worship
Starting Faith Formation at Church
Starting School
Kids and Money
Blessing of Backpacks
First Communion
Receiving a first Bible
Confirmation
Graduation (HS, College)
A New Home / Apartment
Career / First Job
Engagement
Wedding
Retirement or AARP Card
Adult Transitions
Death / Funeral
Stone 1: Raising a Healthy Baby

physical, emotional and spiritual needs
of infants and their parents; nightly
blessing as a family faith practice.
Stone 2: Raising a Healthy
Preschooler

physical, emotional and spiritual needs
of preschoolers and their parents; add
prayer to the nightly blessing as a faith
practice
Stone 3: Entry Into School

physical, emotional and spiritual needs
of kindergarteners and their parents;
share highs & lows with children and add
it to their nightly prayers and blessing
Stone 4: My Bible

120 key verses in young readers’ Bibles;
reading a Bible verse nightly, continue
with highs & lows, prayer and blessing
nightly
Stone 5: Livin’ Forgiven

Passover to Lord’s Supper, with nightly
confession and absolution added to the
faith practices of Bible reading, highs &
lows, prayer and blessing
Stone 6: Surviving Adolescence

theological reflection (i.e. setting the
Bible verse and the highs & lows of the
day together to ask “What is God saying
to us today?”), adding to confession/
absolution, Bible reading, highs & lows,
prayer and blessing continue
Stone 7: Confirmation As Ordination
 youth and parents look at their
confession, their confirmation, and
their call.
Stone 8: Graduation Blessing
 seniors and their parents look back
God’s blessings, look to the moment,
and look to the future of their new
callings
Prepare
Celebrate/Experience
Deepen/Extend
Milestones
Faith Formation
Multi-faceted Milestones Faith Formation





a ritual celebration or a blessing marking the
milestone with the whole church community
a home ritual celebration or blessing
marking the milestone
a learning program, often for the whole
family or intergenerational, that prepares
the individual and the whole family for the
milestone and for faith practice at home
a tangible, visible reminder or symbol of the
occasion being marked
resources to support continuing faith growth
and practice after the milestone
Christian Practices
W
Faith Formation
h
a
t
essential
“In my view, an
task of education in
faith is to teach all thed basic practices of the
Christian faith. The fundamental
aim of
o
Christian education in eall its forms, varieties,
and settings should besthat individuals—and
indeed whole communities—learn these
practices, be drawn into participation in them,
learn to do them with increasingly deepened
understanding and skill, learn to extend them
more broadly and fully in their own lives and
into their world, and learn to correct them,
strengthen them, and improve them.”
(Craig Dykstra)
Christian Practices
W
Faith Formation
h

a
t
Make Christian practices central to faith
d and generations, at
formation for all ages
o
church and home, by
focusing on historic
e
Christian practices: shonoring the body,
celebrating life, discernment, dying well,
eating well, forgiving, healing, hospitality,
keeping Sabbath, managing household
life, living in community, praying, reading
the Bible, singing our lives, testimony and
witness, and transforming the world
(caring for creation, doing justice,
peacemaking, serving).
Christian Practices
W
Faith Formation
h
a
t
in Christian
Form people
practices
through educational
d programs,
o immersion
apprenticeships, and
e
experiences that give
people a firsthand
s
experience of a Christian practice, equip
people to live the Christian practice in
their daily lives, and guide reflection on
living the practices.
 Incorporate Christians practices
education into faith formation
programming for all ages and
generations.

Christian Practices
W
Faith Formation
h
a
t
“Living Well: Real Faith for Real Life”
How to Care for Your dBody
o
How to Celebrate Lifee
s
How to Make Tough Choices
(Discernment)
How to Eat Well
How to Forgive Yourself and Others
How to Keep a Sabbath Day of Rest
How to Manage Household Life
How to Pray Well
How to Read the Bible and Enjoy It!
How to Serve Others
Christian Practices
W
Faith Formation
h
a
t
Develop Christian practices
d
apprenticeships where
people of all ages
o
can learn how to livee a practice from
“Practice Mentors.”s
 Develop immersion experiences for
people of all ages using the faith
community’s lived experience of the
Christian practices.

Christian Practices
Faith Formation

Offer people of all ages a variety of
Christian practice immersion
experiences that give people a
firsthand experience of a Christian
practice, and guide them in living the
practice in their daily lives. For
example:




hospitality
managing household life
caring for the body
forgiveness
Christian Practices
W
Faith Formation
h

a
t
Incorporate Christian practices into
d
all faith formation.
o
e
 focus for the whole
year
s
 focus for a season
 focus for a month
 connect to worship
 connect to milestones
Faith Formation for
Service & Mission

Make formation for service and
engagement in local and global
action projects an essential
component of faith formation for
all age groups and families every
year: serving the poor and
vulnerable, working for justice to
ensure the rights of all people,
being a peacemaker, and caring
for creation.
Faith Formation for
Service & Mission


local and global
“developmental” with increasing
depth and scope:
1. introduction: several hours to a
full day
2. short term: multi-day and local
3. weeklong and national mission
trips
4. global expedition of one or
more weeks
Faith Formation for
Service & Mission

Incorporate an educational
component into all service/mission
projects that includes knowledge of
the justice issues being addressed,
the teachings of Scripture and the
Christian tradition on the issues,
skills for the specific service/mission
project, and reflection on the
service/mission involvement.
Faith Formation for
Service & Mission
Service &
Action for
Justice
Experience
Theological
Reflection
Social
Analysis
Faith Formation for
Service & Mission

Mobilize the Whole Faith Community
through an Annual Church-Wide Project.
Develop an annual church-wide justice and
service project with local-global
connections. Focus on a project, such as
adopting a local or global action project
organized by an organization, or focus an
annual theme, such as poverty, care for
creation, or peacemaking. For each annual
theme develop a comprehensive set of
programs and resources (often available
from organizations you partner with) for all
age groups, families, and the whole
community.
Faith Formation for
Service & Mission
Faith Formation for
Service & Mission

Sponsor local and global service/mission
projects that are designed for the participation
of people from the wider community, providing
a public presence of the church in the
community—from local efforts to feed the
hungry, house the homeless, and improve
education by adopting a public school to global
projects that build schools, care for AIDS
victims, and provide wells for water. The church
partners with other churches and agencies to
establish a serving presence in the community
where people who are passionate about
transforming the world, but not involved in
church life, can work side-by-side with church
members and see the Gospel in action.
Spiritual Formation

Respond to the hunger of people of
all ages and generations for
growing in relationship and
intimacy with God and exploring
more deeply the life of the Spirit by
providing formation in spiritual
disciplines and practices
throughout life.
Spiritual Formation











Lectio Divina
Scripture Reflection
Spiritual Reading
Contemplation
Praying with Art and Music
Fixed-hour Prayer
The Examen
Sabbath
Discernment
Fasting
Prayer Styles & Traditions
Spiritual Formation
 Teach the spiritual practices &
disciplines through courses,
workshops, immersion experiences
 Incorporate spiritual formation into
all faith formation programming
 Offer retreat experiences for all
ages and for families
 Provide spiritual mentors and
guides
Multi-Ethnic
Faith Formation



Develop faith formation so that is inclusive
of a diversity of ethnic cultures and their
religious traditions and expressions
Develop culturally-specific faith formation
that inculturates the Gospel message and
Christian tradition so that it is proclaimed
and taught in the language and culture of
people.
Develop intercultural faith formation that
brings people of different ethic groups
together for learning, relationship building,
faith sharing, praying, serving, and
celebrating.
Faith Formation for
Spiritual Seekers



Offer a guided process for spiritually
hungry people to become spiritually
committed and join in small
communities with other seekers for
spiritual growth and support.
Create new expressions of Christian
community designed especially for
spiritual seekers.
Offer an apprenticeship in discipleship
for spiritually hungry people who want
to grow in relationship with Jesus
Christ and the Christian way of life.
Faith Formation for
Spiritual Seekers
Faith Formation for
Spiritual Seekers
Faith Formation for
Spiritual Seekers
Introduction Dinner: Is there more to life than this?
Week 1: Who is Jesus?
Week 2: Why did Jesus die?
Week 3: How can we have faith?
Week 4: Why and how do I pray?
Week 5: Why and how should I read the Bible?
Week 6: How does God guide us?
Week 7: How can I resist evil?
Week 8: Why & how should we tell others?
Week 9: Does God heal today?
Week 10: What about the Church?
Weekend: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does the
Holy Spirit do? How can I be filled with the Holy
Spirit? How can I make the most of the rest of my
life?
Apprenticeships in
Discipleship
Apprenticeship Processes
Third Place Faith
Formation

Establish a Third Place gathering
space in the community, that offers
hospitality, builds relationships,
hosts spiritual conversations,
provides programs and activities,
and nourishes the spiritual life of
people.
Third Place Faith
Formation
Here is one recent story submitted from the Lifetree Director in Reading,
PA recounting their experience from the VERY FIRST night they opened.
"Last evening was amazing. We were concerned that we might
have too many people and need to turn some away, so we prayed
that God would bring just the right number. Off the Avenue Café
(where Lifetree is hosted) holds about 48 people. Last evening 47
people showed up. Counting our host that makes 48.The discussion
during the event and after was amazing. I actually think the topic
could have been about peanut butter cups because the people that
showed up just wanted to talk and they wanted to talk about God.
We had discussions from feelings to predestination to angels to loss
to reincarnation the list goes on and on. People just didn't want to
leave. I was up until about 1 AM because I was so excited. Thank
you so much for helping us enter this new area of ministry it is
going to change our community and us.”
The Wesley Playhouse
Sidewalk Van
Pathways to Vibrant Faith
& Active Engagement

Develop processes that gradually
deepen people’s relationship with
Jesus Christ, their engagement in
church life, and their practice of the
Christian faith with a special focus on
the needs of the “spiritual but not
religious” (Scenario 2) and “the
uncommitted but ”participating”
(Scenario 4.)
Pathways to Vibrant Faith
& Active Engagement
Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Parish

Mini-Retreat 101: “Catholics Alive!”
 “What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?”

Mini-Retreat 201: “Alive and Growing
Spiritually!”
 maturing in the Catholic faith

Mini-Retreat 301: “Alive and Gifted!”
 discerning how to serve God in ministry

Mini-Retreat 401: “Alive in the World!”
 living as witnesses for Christ, as contagious
Catholic Christians

Mini-Retreat 501: “Alive to Praise God!”
 Catholic worship and the sacraments
Empowering the Community
to Share their Faith

Empower people of vibrant faith
and active engagement in the
church community—individuals,
small groups, and the whole faith
community—to share their faith
with those who not involved in a
church community or spiritually
committed.
Empowering the Community
to Share their Faith
…evangelism is anything you say or do to help
another person move into closer relationship
with God, or into Christian community.
(George Hunter III)
The heart of evangelism is having an alive
relationship with God, being part of a church
you love, and caring that people outside the
church find what you’ve discovered.
(Martha Grace Reese)
Evangelism is to cooperate with the Holy
Spirit and others to bring one person
one step closer to Christ.
(Evangelical Covenant Church)
Empowering the Community
to Share their Faith
Empowering the Community
to Share their Faith


Step One. Church Leader’s Study:
Unbinding the Gospel
Step Two: All-Church Saturation Study:
Unbinding Your Heart: 40 Days of Prayer &
Faith Sharing.
 six-week, church-wide, small group Event!
 pray each day’s scripture and prayer
exercise and work with a prayer partner
 study a chapter of the book with their
small group
 worship with sermons, music, and prayers
centered on the week’s chapter
Empowering the Community
to Share their Faith

Step Three: An Experiment in Prayer and
Community: Unbinding Your Soul.
 a no-obligation experience of substantial
spiritual discussion, prayer and
community for people who aren’t
connected with a church
 church members invite their friends into a
four-week small group experience with
short study chapters, an individual prayer
journal, prayer partner activities, and
group exercises.
1. A Lifelong Faith Formation Network
addresses the diverse life tasks and
situations, spiritual and religious needs, and
interests of all ages and generations in the
four scenarios by offering a variety of
content, programs, activities, and resources.
2. A Lifelong Faith Formation Network guides
individuals and families in discerning their
spiritual and religious needs and creating
personal learning pathways—a seasonal or
annual plan for faith growth and learning.
3. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
incorporates informal learning, as well as
formal learning in faith formation.
FORMAL LEARNING
classes & workshops
speaker series
online courses
small group Bible study
self-study
Bible study
social networking
faith-sharing groups
INTENTIONAL
UNEXPECTED
reading /watching a DVD
mentoring
service/mission activity
program at the library or
local bookstore
internet surfing
watching a movie
TV show
shopping at a home
improvement store
INFORMAL LEARNING
4. A Lifelong Faith Formation Network utilizes a
variety of faith formation models to address
the diverse life tasks and situations, religious
and spiritual needs, and interests of people:
 learning on your own
 at home
 in small groups
 in large groups
 in the congregation
 in the community and world
5. A Lifelong Faith Formation Network blends faceto-face, interactive faith formation programs
and activities with virtual, online faith
formation programs, activities, and resources.
 web-based technologies and digital media
provide 24x7 faith formation for all ages
and generations, anytime and anywhere
Online
Community
& Blog
Learning
Resources
Audio, Video,
Print
Face-to-Face
Interactive
Transformative
Experiences
UserGenerated
Content
Courses &
Webinars
Small Groups
Study
6. A Lifelong Faith Formation Network
incorporates communities of practice to
connect individuals and groups throughout the
congregation.
People
- Age Group
- Family
- Generation
Life Task,
Religious
and
Spiritual
Need
Faith
Formation
Program,
Activity or
Resource
Faith
Formation
Model
- on your own
- at home
- small group
- large group
- congregation
- community
and world
Dates
and
Times
Location
- physical/
facility
- online/
website
Visioning
Promoting
Assessing
Connecting
Researching
Integrating
Discovering
Designing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Form a Lifelong Faith Formation Network Task
Force.
Prepare a statement of your church’s vision and
goals for lifelong faith formation.
Develop an inventory of your church’s current faith
formation programs, activities, and resources using
the four scenarios.
Describe the diverse life tasks and situations,
spiritual and religious needs, and interests of age
groups and families in each of the four scenarios;
and develop a profile of the most important needs.
Research people, programs, activities, and resources
to address the priority life issues and
spiritual/religious needs.
Design new initiatives to address the new spiritual
and religious in each of the four Faith Formation
2020 scenarios.
7. Develop an Integrated plan for the Lifelong Faith
Formation Network with all of the programs,
activities, and resources organized according to the
four scenarios and the six faith formation models.
8. Develop an online faith formation center for
connecting people to each other and to the
resources of the Lifelong Faith Formation Network.
9. Develop a marketing/promotion plan to promote the
Lifelong Faith Formation Network.
6.
Step 1. Select a priority need.
Step 2. Consult the Faith Formation 2020
Strategies.
Step 3. Generate creative ideas.
Step 4. Evaluate the ideas.
Step 5. Design an implementation plan.
Step 5. Implement the initiative through small scale
prototyping.
Step 6. Implement the initiative through small scale
prototyping.
Step 7. Implement the initiative with a wider
audience and continue evaluation and
improvements.