Faith Nurture

In Case You Missed It: Faith Formation on the Web

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Each week, the Faith Formation Ministries team will use this "In Case You Missed It" space to bring you some of the best conversations about faith formation and discipleship floating around on the web. We hope this might become part of your regular rhythm of weekly reading and ministry prep, something you'll consider sharing with your ministry team, your family, or whoever else you like to bounce things like this around with. 

In Case You Missed It (July 7): 

If you have something you'd like to share, feel free to post it in the comments! 

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Derek Atkins
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July 7, 2015
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bill wald on July 14, 2015

Exactly what does "faith formation" mean? In this century, how is it different from a sales pitch? Isn't it the Holy Spirit that "does" "faith formation?"

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Derek Atkins on July 14, 2015

Interesting question Bill. I'm not sure I get the sales pitch angle you are getting at since we aren't "selling" anything in an effort to make money. 

And yes, the "real" work of forming faith is done by God (see, for example Eph 2:8). However we are called to nurture faith in each other as covenant communities who promise at each person’s baptism to “love, encourage, and support . . . by teaching the gospel of God’s love, by being an example of Christian faith and character, and by giving the strong support of God’s family in fellowship, prayer, and service.” These relational and communal acts of faith formation are part of the discipleship process... things that occur as we look for ways to invest in each other’s lives and live into our identity in Christ together. Our lives are constantly being shaped by God, and part of our responsibility as lifelong disciples is to be looking for ways to be used by the Spirit to help others be “formed, transformed, and conformed to the image of Christ,” as Holly Allen writes. That may be by teaching Sunday School, mentoring a teenager, helping parents nurture faith in their kids, leading an adult bible study, hosting a missional community, serving together, etc. 

So we help leaders in congregations who are charged with helping people of all ages grow in their faith (in all the ways that happens). Does that help? 

 

 

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