I am the Pastor of Faith Formation at Nelson Avenue Community Church. We take a holistic view of Faith Formation defining it as "the life long journey (from cradle to grave) of being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ for the sake of others." I'm learning how to make this definition a practical part of our everyday life both in our church community and outside our church.
I love this idea! I think we might just borrow it to use in 2021. Finding ways to connect the church, be Intergenerational and do Faith Formation work is proving difficult in this online world. So this is a wonderful idea. I am wondering what the Faith at Home Conversation Starters are and if you would mind sharing them also or sharing how you came up with them.
Thank you again for your willingness to share this work. I pray that it will bless your church greatly.
I wish I had been mentored in how do Elder visits. It was simply left up to me to figure out and either didn't go very well a lot of the time or I simply avoided them. I also wish I had had more explicit instruction about how we set up for communion. Maybe a current or just retired Elder doing it with me the first time.
Keith, this is off topic from the blog post but we are starting a new Young Adult ministry at our church. What Bible/topical studies do you use? If you could email me at [email protected], I would love to talk to you about Young Adult ministry.
Keith, this is off topic from the blog post but we are starting a new Young Adult ministry at our church. What Bible/topical studies do you use? If you could email me at [email protected], I would love to talk to you about Young Adult ministry.
I resonate with you talking about how God spoke to you through academic texts. God is often speaking to me through books. To get the most out of that I find journaling helpful. I also journal when reading scripture devotionally. I especially like the slowed down pace of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina where you read a passage multiple times reflecting on different passages. Another practice I wish I was better at is praying the Daily Offices of morning, mid-day, vespers and compline (breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime). Doing that re-orients my life to God during the day. Perhaps the most important spiritual discipline I've learned of lately is Sabbath keeping or day of rest. For me that includes technology most of the day. That is one I think we need to learn and incorporate more.
For congregational events like the Fall Kickoff we use sign-up genius. It really works well by listing an individual task, the number of people required, the amount of time required etc. So instead of saying we need help with the kick-off we send an email to everyone and they sign up for a task. Works well.
The whole conversation on the floor of Synod when the Advisory Committee spoke was amazing to watch. The stories that were shared, the pain that was disclosed and the incredible sense that something needed to be done was so very uplifting. I hope that everyone there goes back to their classes and home church and reports on what happened at Synod.
We will be having a kick off Sunday on Sept 9th. It usually is a time of food, fellowship and games for the kids. We hope to invite the other 2 churches that use our building to join us.
I'm not a Coffee Break Leader but a Faith Formation Ministry Leader. I love your questions! I believe it is really important for us to read the Bible not just for information but for transformation. I heartily encourage all Coffee Break Leaders in being Spiritual Guides. I'm going to save this post for our small groups.
Posted in: Faith at Home . . . Together
I love this idea! I think we might just borrow it to use in 2021. Finding ways to connect the church, be Intergenerational and do Faith Formation work is proving difficult in this online world. So this is a wonderful idea. I am wondering what the Faith at Home Conversation Starters are and if you would mind sharing them also or sharing how you came up with them.
Thank you again for your willingness to share this work. I pray that it will bless your church greatly.
Posted in: What Do You Wish You Had Known When You Were First Installed?
I wish I had been mentored in how do Elder visits. It was simply left up to me to figure out and either didn't go very well a lot of the time or I simply avoided them. I also wish I had had more explicit instruction about how we set up for communion. Maybe a current or just retired Elder doing it with me the first time.
Posted in: The Caregiving Saint
Thank you for sharing so deeply and honestly. May God continue to strengthen you and your husband in every area of life.
Posted in: October Is the New September
Keith, this is off topic from the blog post but we are starting a new Young Adult ministry at our church. What Bible/topical studies do you use? If you could email me at [email protected], I would love to talk to you about Young Adult ministry.
Posted in: October Is the New September
Keith, this is off topic from the blog post but we are starting a new Young Adult ministry at our church. What Bible/topical studies do you use? If you could email me at [email protected], I would love to talk to you about Young Adult ministry.
Posted in: I'm Jealous of Your Faith
I resonate with you talking about how God spoke to you through academic texts. God is often speaking to me through books. To get the most out of that I find journaling helpful. I also journal when reading scripture devotionally. I especially like the slowed down pace of the ancient practice of Lectio Divina where you read a passage multiple times reflecting on different passages. Another practice I wish I was better at is praying the Daily Offices of morning, mid-day, vespers and compline (breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime). Doing that re-orients my life to God during the day. Perhaps the most important spiritual discipline I've learned of lately is Sabbath keeping or day of rest. For me that includes technology most of the day. That is one I think we need to learn and incorporate more.
Posted in: Recruiting Volunteers: What's Your Best Tip?
For congregational events like the Fall Kickoff we use sign-up genius. It really works well by listing an individual task, the number of people required, the amount of time required etc. So instead of saying we need help with the kick-off we send an email to everyone and they sign up for a task. Works well.
Posted in: Synod Has Spoken — Are We Listening?
The whole conversation on the floor of Synod when the Advisory Committee spoke was amazing to watch. The stories that were shared, the pain that was disclosed and the incredible sense that something needed to be done was so very uplifting. I hope that everyone there goes back to their classes and home church and reports on what happened at Synod.
Posted in: When Grief Overwhelms
Linda, thank you for so eloquently sharing your heart with us and encouraging us as we sit in silence with those overwhelmed by grief.
Posted in: Prepping for Ministry Kickoff
We will be having a kick off Sunday on Sept 9th. It usually is a time of food, fellowship and games for the kids. We hope to invite the other 2 churches that use our building to join us.
Posted in: Living a Life of Love While Living With a Disability
Thank you for reminding me that it my life, living with a visible disability, is a ministry to others. It is not based on what I do but who I am.
Posted in: How to Be A Spiritual Guide in Coffee Break
I'm not a Coffee Break Leader but a Faith Formation Ministry Leader. I love your questions! I believe it is really important for us to read the Bible not just for information but for transformation. I heartily encourage all Coffee Break Leaders in being Spiritual Guides. I'm going to save this post for our small groups.