Faith Formation In Congregations Practicing Lifelong Faith

Faith Formation Growing and deepening your faith in God through development of intentional, lifelong faith practices.

More than just church programming… Congregations, for the most part, teach us Christian beliefs and provide safe spaces to wrestle with them through worship services, education, acts of justice, and a variety of programming.

More than just church programming… As effective as church programming can be, it cannot replace home lives filled with faith conversations, rituals, and service to others.

More than just church programming… Whether we are “young” or not, daily connections to faith with the support of others exponentially strengthens us in our faith journeys. From: ELCA Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation

Ongoing experience Conversations and Questions are key to this ongoing development.

Biblical Grounding In the book of Acts, Lydia engaged in a spiritual practice by regularly joining Paul’s Christian community at the river to pray. By the water, Paul & Silas engaged with Lydia, a worshipper of God, in a mutually respectful relationship.

Biblical Grounding With trust established, Lydia experienced the Good News of Jesus through Paul’s guided learning. She then decided that she and her household should be baptized in that very river.

Biblical Grounding Immediately, Lydia invited Paul and Silas back to her house for hospitality in faith-filled service to God’s ministry. Acts 16 as retold by Pastor Janelle Rozek Hooper

ELCA Recommended Practices Spiritual Practices Respectful Relationships Guided Learning Faith-filled Service

Spiritual Practices Activities undertaken with intentional awareness of the presence of the Holy.

Respectful Relationships These relationships can be formed with family, friends, church staff, lay mentors, spiritual directors and coaches. Healthy relationships always include trust, listening, challenge, compassion, and commitment to one another.

Guided Learning Guided learning happens when we visit and revisit Biblical stories, or hear and share each other’s faith stories, with a sense of wonder and discovery.

Faith-filled Service Faith-filled service recognizes the need to act on behalf of one’s beliefs.

Faith-filled Service Faith-filled service recognizes the need to act on behalf of one’s beliefs.

A Gift of Wisdom and Wonder Cross-Generational Ministry A Gift of Wisdom and Wonder

What Is Cross-Generational Ministry? Ministry that engages all ages. Ministry that offers opportunities for all ages to gather around the cross and journey together.

Honoring the Generations Lost ?? – 1908 (109 +) Builders 1909-1925 (92-108) Silents 1926-1945 (72-91) Boomers 1946-1964 (53-71)

Honoring the Generations Survivors(X) 1965-1982 (35-52) Millennials 1983-2003 (14-34) Gen Z 2004 + (13 )

Why is Cross-Gen Ministry Important?

Why is Cross-Gen Ministry Important? Deuteronomy 6:4-9 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Why is Cross-Gen Ministry Important? “Ministry with this identity allows communities of faith, people of all ages, to share in the planning, life, and witness of the congregation and in the community.” (~2013 ELCA GLOCAL Mission Gathering + Cross-Gen Engagement, pg. 2)

Why is Cross-Gen Ministry Important? “The goal of intentional cross-gen ministry is to establish an authentic community representing the gifts, experiences, faith stories, and cultures of diverse ages and multiple generations for the purpose of reconciliation in our households, congregations, community and world.” (~2013 ELCA GLOCAL Mission Gathering + Cross-Gen Engagement, pg. 2)

Why is Cross-Gen Ministry Important? Internet Generation vs TV Generation Those going down the road vs those coming up the road.

Cross-Gen Stories

Total Changes What can you experiment with? Parent/Grandparent led Sunday School/Ed. Parent-Student led Confirmation program Cross-gen model with any small group faith formation ministry

Minor Changes What can you experiment with? 1/month Cross-Gen Activity Advent/Lent Cross-Gen worship/ed. Midweek? Twice/year service project/event Cross-Gen VBS Cross-Gen Mission Trip

Cross-Gen Worship What can you experiment with? Invite/equip youth to help lead worship Congregational movement/gestures Sermon conversations Multi-gen worship planning committee Creation Station in the sanctuary “Worship Young” model

Ministry Sharing What ministry is happening in your churches already that is cross-generational?

What ideas are brewing right now that you’d like to experiment with? Ministry Sharing What ideas are brewing right now that you’d like to experiment with?

Online Resources Vibrant Faith Faith Inkubators Homegrown Faith Milestones Ministry Lifelong Faith Spirit & Truth Publishing ELCA (Global Mission/Education/Glocal)

NWSWI Resources Laura Ramlow Laurie Skow-Anderson Generosity Project (community & confirmation) Care of Creation Project (2017-2018) Cross-Gen Faith Statements (2018-2019) Website (EPIC or Cross-GenTab)

Developing Young Leaders Ideas…

WHY? Youth and young adults are actively seeking opportunities to serve, often in leadership roles. It’s important for congregations to encourage and support these young leaders as they continue to deepen their faith and discover their gifts as a part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).

How can we help develop young leaders? Invite them/nominate them for council, committees, or other decision-making groups Offer space and opportunities to make decisions and share opinions Give them permission to lead Train them for specific roles Give them meaningful responsibilities Provide them with a mentor or “coach”

How can we help develop young leaders? Delegate tasks Provide clear expectations and explanations for these tasks to set them up for success Lead by example (faith practices, etc.) Offer consistent and genuine accompaniment Be inspiring!

What are some ideas for leadership? Serve on the hospitality team Ministry photographer Invite them to open and/or close group meetings with prayer Organize or lead a youth Bible study Develop or maintain a Facebook page or website

What are some ideas for leadership? Plan service opportunities for other youth Youth representative on council or youth board. Serve as a bridge - connect with other youth Assist with worship Write a blog or journal article for the newsletter Encourage them to become a part of the NW Synod Youth Organization Other ideas?

Laurie Skow-Anderson Laura Ramlow Contact Information Laurie Skow-Anderson lskow-anderson@nwswi.org Laura Ramlow 715-559-3474 lramlow@nwswi.org