the future of faith formation
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The Future of Faith Formation. John Roberto LifelongFaith Associates www.lifelongfaith.com [email protected] [email protected]. Topics. Envisioning Faith Formation through Four Scenarios Developing a Lifelong Faith Formation Network - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Future of Faith FormationJohn Roberto
LifelongFaith Associates
www.lifelongfaith.com
Topics1. Envisioning Faith Formation through
Four Scenarios2. Developing a Lifelong Faith
Formation Network3. The Emerging Role of the Faith
Formation Curator4. Designing Innovations in Faith
Formation
Focus How can churches provide
vibrant faith formation that addresses the spiritual and religious needs of all ages and generations now and into the future?
How can parishes envision the future of faith formation and design initiatives to respond proactively to the challenges and opportunities in the second decade of the 21st century?
www.faithformation2020.net
www.FaithFormationLearningExchange.net
The Challenge of Adaptive Change
“The significant problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we
were at when we created them.”
Albert Einstein
Technical Problems Technical problems (even though they
may be complex) can be solved with knowledge and procedures already in hand.
Leadership would be an easy and safe undertaking if organizations and communities only faced problems for which they already knew the solutions. Everyday, people have problems for which they do, in fact, have the necessary know-how and procedures—technical problems.
Adaptive Challenges Adaptive challenges require experiments, new
discoveries, and adjustments from numerous places in the organization.
Without learning new ways—changing attitudes, values, and deep-seated behaviors—people cannot make the adaptive leap necessary to thrive in the new environment. Adaptive challenges call for changes of heart and mind—the transformation of long-standing habits and deeply held assumptions and values.
Leadership is “the activity of mobilizing people to tackle the toughest problems and do the adaptive work
necessary to achieve progress.” (Ronald Heifetz and Martin Linsky)
Four Scenarios
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
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.
Two Critical Uncertainties
Faith Formation 2020 MatrixDominant Cultural Attitude toward Organized
ReligionReceptive
Low High People’s Hunger for God and the Spiritual Life
Resistant
4 Scenarios for the Future
Scenario 4
Uncommitted &
Participating
Scenario 1 Vibrant Faith & Active
Engagement
Scenario 3
Unaffiliated &
Uninterested
Scenario 2
Spiritual but Not
Religious
Task 3. Assessing Viewed through the lens of the 4
Scenarios, who is being served by current faith formation programming?
Who is not?
Where are the greatest needs or gaps?
What are the priority areas for growth and improvement?
Strategies
1. Faith Formation through the Life of the Whole Church
2. Faith Formation with Digital Media and Web Technologies
3. Family Faith Formation4. Intergenerational Faith Formation5. Generational Faith Formation: ▪ iGeneration (2000 - )▪ Millennials (1980-1999)▪ Gen X (1964-1979)▪ Boomers (1946-1964)▪ Builders (1945 and earlier)
Strategies
6. Milestones Faith Formation7. Faith Formation in Christian
Practice8. Transforming the World9. Spiritual Formation 10.Multi-Ethnic Faith Formation11.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
Scenario #4+ FF before and after
Marriage+ FF before and after
Baptism+ Family faith formation+ Milestones faith
formation+ Pathways to deepen
faith & engagement
Scenario #1+ FF for Millennial
Generation+ FF before and after
Marriage+ FF before and after
Baptism+ FF for Baby Boomers+ Empowering people to
share their faithScenario #3
+ Third Place settings+ Family life center+ Events (movie nights,
art and drama, concerts, festivals)
+ Community-based ministry (service, recovery ministry)
Scenario #2+ Third Place settings+ Targeting 20-30 year
olds+ Small group
experiences+ Spiritual formation+ Pathways to deepen
faith & engagement
ExampleThe Wesley PlayhouseFamily Life Center
Example: 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?
Example: Spiritual Seekers
Example: PathwaysOur 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
Developing a Lifelong Faith Formation Network
A Lifelong Faith Formation Network is a
way to provide faith formation for everyone,
anytime, anywhere, 24x7x365.
Significant ShiftShifting from. . .
“One Size Fits All” Curriculum & Programming
to A Network of Personalized & Customized Faith Formation Activities & Resources
focusing on addressing people’s spiritual and religious growth by offering a wide variety of
religious content and experiences“Differentiated Faith Formation”
Feature #1 Address 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.
Feature #2 Recognize that learning is a
process of active inquiry with the initiative residing within the individual.
Feature #3 Guide 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.
A Process for a Developing a Personalized Faith Growth Plan
Assessing Spiritual Growth
Working with a Mentor/Guide
Finding Resources on the Network
Engaging in Formation
Sharing with the Community
Reflecting on Growth and
Identifying New Needs
Feature #4 Incorporate informal learning, as
well as formal learning in faith formation.FORMAL LEARNING
classes & workshopsspeaker seriesonline courses
small group Bible study
self-studyBible study
social networkingfaith-sharing groups
INTENTIONAL UNEXPECTEDreading /watching a DVD
mentoringservice/mission activity
program at the library orlocal bookstore
internet surfingwatching a movie
TV showshopping at a homeimprovement store
INFORMAL LEARNING
Feature #5 Utilize a variety of faith formation
models to address the diverse life tasks, religious and spiritual needs, and interests of people: on your own at home in small groups in large groups in the congregation in the community and world
Faith Formation Models
Face-to-Face
& Virtual
On Your Own Mentor
ed
@Home
Small Group
Large Group
Church Communi
ty
Community & World
Faith Formation Models
Activity
Activity
Activity
• Face-to-Face• Virtual1. On Your Own2. Mentored3. At Home4. In Small Group5. In Large Group6. In Church7. In Community
& World
Spiritual & Religious
Needs
Topics or Themes
Feature #6 Offer programs and activities in face-to-face
physical settings; in virtual, online settings, and in blended settings that combine both. They can be offered only in physical locations, such as
church facilities, homes, retreat centers, camps, and community settings
They can be offered only in virtual settings, such as an online course, collaborative wiki, and online resource center.
They can be offered in a blended approach, combining a gathering in a physical location with online delivery (activities, group projects, interaction) and some element of individual control over time, place, path, and/or pace.
Blended ApproachesFully online program or activity with options for face-to-face interaction in physical settings.
Mostly or fully online program or activity with regular interaction and programming in physical settings.
An online platform that delivers most of the program or activities with leaders providing on-site support on a flexible and adaptive as-needed basis through in-person mentoring and small group sessions.
Programs and activities in physical settings guided by a leader with online components that extend beyond the program sessions.
Programs and activities in physical settings that include online resources to supplement the program content.
A Network Approach
Faith Formati
on Networ
k
Church Progra
msSmall
Groups &
Support
Groups
Mentors
Community
Programs
Online Course
s & Activiti
esOnline Resourc
es: Print, Audio, Video
Video Confere
nce
Apps
Blogs
Social Media for Connecti
on
User-Generat
ed Content
Feature #7Offer a variety of faith formation
programs, activities, experiences, and resources to address the diverse ways people learn and grow in faith.
Feature #8 Incorporate communities of
practice to connect individuals and groups throughout the congregation.
Illustrations of a Network Approach
Offer Faith Formation on One Theme in a Variety of Formats
Whole
Church
Theme
On Your Own (Print, Audio, Video, Online
Resources & Courses)
Small Group Course
(online & physical settings)
Family @Home (Online
Resources)Adult 4-Week
Lecture Series @ Church
(Videotaped & online)
Age Group Programs: Children &
Youth
Transform a “One-Size-Fits-All Faith” into a Variety of Faith Formation Formats
Confirmation
Content &
Experiences
Option 1. Church
Program (current model) Option 2.
Small Group Program
Option 2. Online Small Group
Program using Skype
Option 3. Mentored
Option 4. Online
Progam (print &
video) with Regular
Check-in
Online Projects (everyon
e)
Social Networking Space
for a Blog,
Project Sharing,
etc.
Extend Worship into Everyday Life
Share ItBlog/ForumAfter Mass
In ProgramsFamily Conversation
Activity
Study ItTaking Faith Home
InsertHomily Video + Study
GuideDaily Readings
Scripture Commentaries
Online Bible StudyLive ItLiving the Message
DailyLiving Christian
PracticesService Ideas for the
Week
Pray ItWeekly Table Prayer
Praying with the SaintsAM & PM Prayer
Sunday Worship
Extend Monthly Family or Intergenerational Faith Formation throughout the Month
Monthly
Gathering
Talk About It:
Conversation
Questions
Learn More:
Watch a Video,
Listen to a Talk, Read an Article
Live It: Action Project for the Month
Pray: Prayers for the Month, Table
Prayers on the Theme
Children Center:
Projects, Activities,
and Stories
Parents Center: How-to helps
(video, audio, print)
Share What Your
Learning: Write a
Blog Entry, Create & Share a Video or Project
Baptism
Mentors
4 Keys Activities for
Home
Prayer, Rituals, Bible, Family Conversation,
Service
Parent Faith Formation &
Parenting Skills
Social Media, Workshops,
Online Resources
MilestonesBaptism
Anniversary, First Prayers,
Start of School
Support Groups Mom’s Group, Dad’s Group
Early Childhood Program
Family Gatherings
Quarterly Church
Gatherings
Family Small Group Clusters
Targeting a Group: Young Families
Extending & Deepening Whole Church Faith Formation
Core Experien
ce
Youth & Family
Children &
Family
Parents
Young Adults
Adults
Older Adults
@ Hom
e
Prayer
Bible Readi
ng
Faith Conversat
ionRitual
Service
Learning
Project
Comprehensive Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith
Formation
Online Course
s Audio & Video
Programs
Books &
Book Clubs
Life Transiti
ons
Prayer &
Spritual
Practices
Justice &
Service
Small Group Studie
s
Life Tasks
& Issues
Extended
Learning Program
s
Faith in Art Tours
iTunes U
Online Courses
YouVersion Bible App
Bible Study, Small Groups
Apps
E-Newsletter
Spiritual Seeker Programs
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?
Example: Alpha Course
Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Parish1. Mini-Retreat 101: “Catholics Alive!”
“What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?” 2. Mini-Retreat 201: “Alive and Growing Spiritually!”
maturing in the Catholic faith3. Mini-Retreat 301: “Alive and Gifted!”
discerning how to serve God in ministry4. Mini-Retreat 401: “Alive in the World!”
living as witnesses for Christ, as contagious Catholic Christians
5. Mini-Retreat 501: “Alive to Praise God!” Catholic worship and the sacraments
Example: Pathways to a Deeper Faith
Example: Pathways to a Deeper Faith
1. Spirituality: What’s the Buzz?
2. Who is Jesus?3. Do We Need the Spirit?4. Can I Accept God’s
Mercy?5. Can Mass Make My Life
Meaningful?6. The Church and Me
Third Place Settings
Spiritual Form
ation for Everyone
Network Approach
Program
Church Progra
ms Small Groups & Support Groups
Mentors
Community
Programs
Online Courses
& Activitie
sOnline Resources: Print, Audio, Video
Video Confere
nce
Apps
Blogs
Social Media for Connectio
n
User-Generate
d Content
The Emerging Role of the Faith Formation Curator
Faith Formation Curator Shifting from providing religious
content and programming to curating religious content and experiences for all ages
A content curator is someone who continually finds, groups, organizes, and shares the best and most relevant content on a specific subject to match the needs of a specific audience.
Faith Formation CuratorWhat would you curate?
Congregational Programs & ActivitiesCommunity Programs & ActivitiesPeople ResourcesPrint ResourcesAudio & Video ResourcesArt, Drama, and Music ResourcesOnline Content: Websites, Courses,
Blogs Apps & Digital Resources
The Process of Curation Researc
h
Aggregate & Evaluate
Deliver
Communicate &
Connect
Designing Innovations
Design Process for an New InitiativeSelect a Need or Target Group
Consult Strategies
Generate Ideas
Evaluate Ideas
Design an Implementat
ion Plan
Pilot the Innovation
Scale-Up the Innovation
Designing a New InitiativeStep 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.
Design ProcessStep 1. Select a priority need.Step 2. Consult the Faith Formation
2020 strategies & consult the resources you have available: people, parish, organizations, the community, print and media, online, etc.
Step 3. Generate creative ideas. Step 4. Evaluate the ideas.
Generating Ideas
Design ProcessStep 5. Design an implementation plan. How many of the six faith formation models will be
utilized? What are the dates and times? What is the location: physical/facility and/or
online/website? What are the implementation steps and target dates
(timeline) for completing each step. What resources will you need to implement the initiative. How much will the initiative cost? How many leaders will you need to implement the
initiative, how you will find them, and how you will prepare them?
Design ProcessStep 6. Implement the initiative
through small scale prototyping.Step 7. Implement the initiative with a
wider audience and continue evaluation and improvements.
Develop an online faith formation center for connecting people to each other and to the resources of the Lifelong Faith Formation Network.
Parish Website: Planning Checklist
1. Who is the audience? 2. Planning—visit other sites. 3. Reflect on what you are: what are your core values and
how do you want to say that? 4. Define a reasonable scope and get buy-in from stake-
holders in the congregation. 5. Do an easy survey of your audience—what are they
looking for, what do they expect? 6. Decide on the types of content to include (+ graphics).7. Map out your basic navigation (7 buckets is about all a
person can digest).8. Pick the technology or platform. 9. Create the design. 10. Build your content .11. Release the site.