In May, the pastors and Discipleship Team announced the new Discipleship Ministry plan to the congregation. You can read an overview of the plan here. One question we have heard over and over again is, "Why are we ending Sunday Morning Faith Formation Groups for children?" First, let me say that we have had the most AMAZING adult leaders serve the Faith Formation Ministry the last several years and I have loved partnering with them as they used their gifts with our children. Your ministry was so very valued and appreciated!
The short answer: Parents are the best people to pass on faith to their children.
For far too long, "we" as American Christians, have separated the different age groups on Sunday mornings, because we are so used to specialized instruction of our children in all other parts of our life. Like in sports, music, etc... But when we look at growing disciples of Jesus Christ the specialized approach isn't working in our churches. Children leave our ministries in droves as they finish confirmation. Why aren’t they sticking around?
Did you know that the church is the only true Cross Generational community available to our society? All six living generations gather every week in the same place to worship God! This is an amazing opportunity to use the gifts of every age to honor God in all that we do. We have not truly been able to be a faith community together without all the ages groups gathered in worship together. There is wisdom and wonder in a cross generational community that can't be replicated anywhere else. To help every age grow into deeper discipleship our future will focus on worship, adult faith formation, milestones and cross generational opportunities. We have the opportunity to equip parents at a deeper level to worship together on Sundays and then to take God’s Word home with them throughout the week.
How can we truly grow children and adults in deeper relationships with Jesus? How do we grow disciples? If we look back at the ministry of Martin Luther, he whole heartedly believed that it was the role of parents to talk about faith stuff around the kitchen table at home. This is the reason he wrote the Small Catechism, to give parents the tools to do so. Luther knew that children are with their parents most and are the ones who can model faith in their words and actions every single day.
How will we help equip parents?
The short answer: Parents are the best people to pass on faith to their children.
For far too long, "we" as American Christians, have separated the different age groups on Sunday mornings, because we are so used to specialized instruction of our children in all other parts of our life. Like in sports, music, etc... But when we look at growing disciples of Jesus Christ the specialized approach isn't working in our churches. Children leave our ministries in droves as they finish confirmation. Why aren’t they sticking around?
Did you know that the church is the only true Cross Generational community available to our society? All six living generations gather every week in the same place to worship God! This is an amazing opportunity to use the gifts of every age to honor God in all that we do. We have not truly been able to be a faith community together without all the ages groups gathered in worship together. There is wisdom and wonder in a cross generational community that can't be replicated anywhere else. To help every age grow into deeper discipleship our future will focus on worship, adult faith formation, milestones and cross generational opportunities. We have the opportunity to equip parents at a deeper level to worship together on Sundays and then to take God’s Word home with them throughout the week.
How can we truly grow children and adults in deeper relationships with Jesus? How do we grow disciples? If we look back at the ministry of Martin Luther, he whole heartedly believed that it was the role of parents to talk about faith stuff around the kitchen table at home. This is the reason he wrote the Small Catechism, to give parents the tools to do so. Luther knew that children are with their parents most and are the ones who can model faith in their words and actions every single day.
How will we help equip parents?
- Starting September 10th, we will launch a reshaped 9:30am worship planned with the the needs and gifts of a cross generational community in mind. Worship where the generations can learn and grow in God’s Word together.
- EVERY SUNDAY, the WHOLE congregation will leave with a simple tool to continue living into the Scripture on Sunday at home.
- Adult Faith Formation groups offered at different times and locations all week long.
- Milestone Classes, at different ages/stages of life where parents/children learn together with resources to do faith stuff at home like prayer, Bible reading, etc..
- Cross Generational Events where all ages can grow in the wonder and wisdom of each others gifts around things like Stewardship, Advent, Lent.
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