Christian Formation Update
Submitted by Sarah McDermott
Meeting Focus--Adult Christian Formation
Meeting Date--August 26, 2009
Notes:
We began with a discussion of “What is Christian formation?” Here are some of the ideas that were mentioned during that discussion.
• Christian Formation is substantive. (Here is where we had a discussion about the differences between Christian Formation and fellowship.)
• Christian Formation includes giving people what they need to lead a Christian life--to follow Christ’s example.
• Christian formation:
• needs to be age appropriate--being mindful of children’s development, youth, young adult, etc.
• is a developmental process,
• is multi model,
• needs to include content and not just events,
• help people develop Christian relationships,
• includes helping people develop into pastoral care providers (this was part of our conversation about how pastoral care fits in the Christian Formation.
• is both process and content.
Forums vs. Small Groups
• Much of the meeting was spent discussing the formats for adult education programs.
• We noted that on the plogs there were a number of requests to bring back DOCC. Some at the meeting wondered whether it was specifically DOCC that was needed or some sort of substantive small group Christian Formation experience.
• Plogs also included a number of checks next to spiritual retreats.
• Others, however, had fond memories of large forums.
C.F. for St. Paul’s Members vs. the larger community.
• We briefly addressed the issue of the role of St. Paul’s both in providing Christian formation for those who attend St. Paul’s and for those who work downtown. Here is where we discussed some of the overlap between CF, Faith in Action, and Shaping Public Discourse.
Share your thoughts!
