This document discusses factors driving changes in faith formation and religious participation. It outlines 4 scenarios based on how receptive society may be to organized religion and people's hunger for spiritual life. It proposes a "Lifelong Faith Formation Network" approach using various models, programs, and online/face-to-face resources to meet the diverse religious and spiritual needs described in each scenario. Key strategies discussed include intergenerational learning, digital media, family faith formation, and engaging people through service.
A Guide for United Methodist Church AmbassadorsRodney Bowen
2013 marks the 125th anniversary of The Permanent Fund which was established to provide a permanent source of funding for the ministries of The United Methodist Church. With your help, we can ensure it will continue to grow into the future. Between 2004 and 2010, The Permanent Fund contributed more than $3 million to provide a permanent source of funding for the ministries of The United Methodist Church and for missions around the world.This Ambassador Guide is designed to give you easy steps to assist us in educating members of The United Methodist Church about the critical role of The Permanent Fund and how they can be involved. http://www.umcglobalimpact.org
Shifting Stats: Shaking the Church. World Vision Canada's 2014 Church Leaders...WVCNCE
Gain a bird’s-eye view of Canada’s new cultural context and a different lens through which to re-frame the Gospel.
In spring 2014, more than 800 church leaders in 10 Canadian cities participated in the church leaders forum: "Shifting Stats: Shaking the Church."
Using the latest Canadian statistics and church research, Dr. Don Moore, World Vision’s National Church Ambassador, painted the picture of our new cultural and religious landscape. Bruxy Cavey, author and Teaching Pastor at The Meeting House, then challenged our thinking on how to not only present but also live out the Gospel given these new realities.
Since 2007, World Vision Canada has offered these half-day church leader events to serve the local church. We strive to offer relevant ministry topics and host a space for honest conversation and collaboration among local leaders.
Learn more about the forum at www.shiftingstats.ca
Learn more about World Vision Canada Church Engagement at www.churches.worldvision.ca
Church Colleges face an uncertain future as they strive to maintain their identities while adapting to massive cultural religious changes.
One option is to completely jettison any sense of institutional religious identity and have no theological identity. Another is to develop an exclusive community that seeks uniformity through doctrinal statements and student conduct codes.
Neither of these two options is acceptable for Lutheran Colleges. Within our theological tradition we have the resources to construct a theological identity that is both grounded in a particular tradition yet open to all.
This presentation is a diagnostic case study of Wartburg College which is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily reflective of Wartburg College.
A Guide for United Methodist Church AmbassadorsRodney Bowen
2013 marks the 125th anniversary of The Permanent Fund which was established to provide a permanent source of funding for the ministries of The United Methodist Church. With your help, we can ensure it will continue to grow into the future. Between 2004 and 2010, The Permanent Fund contributed more than $3 million to provide a permanent source of funding for the ministries of The United Methodist Church and for missions around the world.This Ambassador Guide is designed to give you easy steps to assist us in educating members of The United Methodist Church about the critical role of The Permanent Fund and how they can be involved. http://www.umcglobalimpact.org
Shifting Stats: Shaking the Church. World Vision Canada's 2014 Church Leaders...WVCNCE
Gain a bird’s-eye view of Canada’s new cultural context and a different lens through which to re-frame the Gospel.
In spring 2014, more than 800 church leaders in 10 Canadian cities participated in the church leaders forum: "Shifting Stats: Shaking the Church."
Using the latest Canadian statistics and church research, Dr. Don Moore, World Vision’s National Church Ambassador, painted the picture of our new cultural and religious landscape. Bruxy Cavey, author and Teaching Pastor at The Meeting House, then challenged our thinking on how to not only present but also live out the Gospel given these new realities.
Since 2007, World Vision Canada has offered these half-day church leader events to serve the local church. We strive to offer relevant ministry topics and host a space for honest conversation and collaboration among local leaders.
Learn more about the forum at www.shiftingstats.ca
Learn more about World Vision Canada Church Engagement at www.churches.worldvision.ca
Church Colleges face an uncertain future as they strive to maintain their identities while adapting to massive cultural religious changes.
One option is to completely jettison any sense of institutional religious identity and have no theological identity. Another is to develop an exclusive community that seeks uniformity through doctrinal statements and student conduct codes.
Neither of these two options is acceptable for Lutheran Colleges. Within our theological tradition we have the resources to construct a theological identity that is both grounded in a particular tradition yet open to all.
This presentation is a diagnostic case study of Wartburg College which is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily reflective of Wartburg College.
LDS Philanthropies is a department of the Office of the Presiding Bishopric responsible for philanthropic donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its affiliated charities. These are the current funding priorities of the Church. If you or someone you know would like more information on becoming involved through philanthropic giving, please send me a message on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjayolsen.
This presentation was provided to the Unitarian Universalists of Coastal Georgia at their First Sunday Forum on December 7. Most of the information on comes from UUA.org.
Food & Faith: A Values-Based Approach for Community Food Security
Angela Smith, Baltimore Food & Faith Project
Pastor Heber Brown III, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church
Jenny Holmes, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Cassi Johnson, Community Food Advocates
Five faith-based organizations and faith communities representing different traditions will share their work to support local farmers, develop community gardens, and increase healthy food accessibility. Attendees will be asked to share best practices from their own faith-based efforts and participate in structured small group discussions, each led by a panelist.
Mind the gap church building in a six generation world version 2Scott Davis
A presentation I have at Grace Episcopal Church in Houston on October 13, 2013 on Millennials and Generation X and the church, and my new book, Mind the Gap.
LDS Philanthropies is a department of the Office of the Presiding Bishopric responsible for philanthropic donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its affiliated charities. These are the current funding priorities of the Church. If you or someone you know would like more information on becoming involved through philanthropic giving, please send me a message on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjayolsen.
This presentation was provided to the Unitarian Universalists of Coastal Georgia at their First Sunday Forum on December 7. Most of the information on comes from UUA.org.
Food & Faith: A Values-Based Approach for Community Food Security
Angela Smith, Baltimore Food & Faith Project
Pastor Heber Brown III, Pleasant Hope Baptist Church
Jenny Holmes, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Cassi Johnson, Community Food Advocates
Five faith-based organizations and faith communities representing different traditions will share their work to support local farmers, develop community gardens, and increase healthy food accessibility. Attendees will be asked to share best practices from their own faith-based efforts and participate in structured small group discussions, each led by a panelist.
Mind the gap church building in a six generation world version 2Scott Davis
A presentation I have at Grace Episcopal Church in Houston on October 13, 2013 on Millennials and Generation X and the church, and my new book, Mind the Gap.
God calls the Church and our parishes to grow. However, today many of our parishes lack a vision for making disciples, have few or no plans to grow, and can assume that their current members are growing and new disciples are being made, despite evidence to the contrary. In other words, our parishes can be more hopeful than honest. This workshop will address the pastoral reality and current practice of our parishes, offer a renewed vision for making disciples and evangelisation, and suggest practical actions that parishes can take to change the culture and focus of their ministries and groups. It will draw on research into best practice for Church growth both here in Australia and abroad and facilitate a conversation about the nature of parish leadership in this time of change and challenge for faith.
Daniel Ang is Director of Pastoral Planning for the Diocese of Parramatta. He was co-author and coordinator of the Parramatta pastoral plan, Faith in Our Future, and now oversees initiatives of renewal and planning in a parish and diocesan context. He teaches ecclesiology and ministry at the Parramatta Institute for Mission, holds a Bachelor of Arts/Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Master of Divinity from the Sydney College of Divinity. Daniel is an executive member of the National Pastoral Planners Network and published in a number of peer reviewed journals. He is a married layman with one son.
Slide presentation for the second session of MIdAmerica-UUA's online course on Youth & Young Adult Ministries. This session was about Early Adolescence.
Slide presentation for the fifth session of MidAmerica-UUA's online course Youth & Young Adult Ministries. This session was primarily about Young Adulthood.
The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youth and Family Ministry semnsynod
The Role of Congregational Leaders in Children, Youth, & Family Ministry
by Dr. Terri Elton, Associate Professor of Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Ministry & Director of the Center for CYF Ministry, Luther Seminary, Luther Seminary
Church Leaders and Congregations are key assets and partners with families in the faith journey in the 21st Century. Using the Exemplar Youth Ministry (EYM) Study as an element for this discussion, explore how the EYM study identified the value and role of church leaders and the congregation when designing and implementing ministry for children, youth, and families. Explore the EYM assets which support a robust ministry for families of all ages and type.
From the 2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA's Councils as Leaders event.
At the 2016 CCIH Annual Conference, Andrea Kaufmann of World Vision International discussed the role of faith leaders in communities and how faith leaders can be very influential in increasing the use of family planning.
Church growth today, same vision, new approachPLAcademy
• Church Growth - Definition • Our Driving Motive As A Church • Revisiting The Church’s Vision And Mission • A Change Of Strategy Is Needful • We Need Commitment of Ministers • Church Research Inevitable Today • Understanding the Millennials • The Need for Spiritual Entrepreneurs in churches
Slide presentation for the fourth session of MidAmerica-UUA's online course Youth & Young Adult Ministries. This session was about Late Adolescence & Emerging Adulthood.
Youth & Young Adult Ministries Session OnePhillip Lund
Slide presentation for the first session of MIdAmerica-UUA's online course on Youth & Young Adult Ministries. This session was primarily an introduction.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
Discover various methods for clearing negative entities from your space and spirit, including energy clearing techniques, spiritual rituals, and professional assistance. Gain practical knowledge on how to implement these techniques to restore peace and harmony. For more information visit here: https://www.reikihealingdistance.com/negative-entity-removal/
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
2. Driving Forces
• Declining number of Christians and growing number
of people with no religious affiliation.
• Increasing number of people becoming more spiritual
and less religious.
• Declining participation in Christian churches.
• Increasing diversity and pluralism in U.S. society.
3. • Increasing influence of individualism on Christian
identity and community life.
• Changing patterns of marriage and family life.
• Declining family religious socialization.
• Aging Baby Boomers.
• Increasing use of digital media & web technologies.
4. No Religious Affiliation
• 15% of all Americans claim no religious affiliation
• 25% of all 18-29 year
• 10% drop in the number of Christians
• The challenge to Christianity in the U.S. does not
come from other religions but from a rejection of all
forms of organized religion
5. Spiritual But Not Religious
• Today, 18% of 18-39 year olds say that are “spiritual,
but not religious” compared to only 11% a decade ago
• Religious tinkering & developing a religious or
spiritual identity
6. Declining Participation
• “Membership growth in UUA slows down”
—UU World May 11, 2009
• “UUA membership declines for second year”
—UU World April 12, 2010
• “UUA membership declines again”
—UU World May 23, 2011
7. Increasing Diversity
• Diversity of ethnic cultures and nationalities
• No single authority exercises supremacy; no single
belief or ideology dominations
• Tapestry of religious and spiritual alternatives and
choices
• Crisscrossing religious boundaries
• “ Spiritual tinkerers”
8. Influence of Individualism
• Religious identity is more autonomous and deliberate
today.
• Decline in the perceived necessity of communal or
institutional structures as constituent of religious
identity.
9. Changing Patterns
• Delaying marriage
• Having fewer children and later in life
• Decreasing number of children in two-parent
households
• Increasing number of unmarried couples living
together
• Increasing time caring for children
10. Declining Family Socialization
• Parent Influence: The single most important social
influence on the religious and spiritual lives of
adolescents is their parents
• Embedded Family Religious Practices: Effective
religious socialization comes about through specific
religious activities that are firmly intertwined with
the daily habits of family life
11. Aging Baby Boomers
• On Jan. 1, 2011, the oldest Baby Boomers turned 65:
Every day for the next 19 years, about 10,000 more
will cross that threshold
• By 2030, when all Baby Boomers will have turned 65,
fully 18% of the nation’s population will be at least that
age (13% today)
• We are witnessing the emergence of a new stage of life
between adult midlife–typically focused on career and
child-rearing–and old age, traditionally marked by
increasing frailty and decline
12. Digital Media & Web Tech
• 93% of teens & young adults are online
• “ Computer in your pocket”means increasing mobile
access via smart phones: iPhone, Android, etc.
• 8-18 year olds spend on average 7½ hours a day with
media
13. Scenario Thinking
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 congregations and
most uncertain in terms of future outcome.
14. Two Critical Uncertainties
• 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?
• Will people's hunger for and openness to God and the
spiritual life increase over the next decade or will
peoples hunger for and openness to God and the
spiritual life decrease?
15.
16. Scenario One
Receptive to Organized Religion.
High Hunger for a Spiritual Life.
People of all ages and generations are actively engaged
in a congregation, are spiritually committed, and
growing in their faith. They have found their spiritual
home within an established religious tradition and a
local faith community that provides a variety of ways
for them to grow in faith and live their faith in the
world.
17. Scenario Two
Resistant to Organized Religion.
High Hunger for a Spiritual Life.
A world in which people are hungry for a spiritual life,
but not usually involved with organized religion and
established congregations. Congregations recognize
that they need to establish a presence in the world of
people who are spiritually hungry but not attracted to
an established congregation.
18. Scenario Three
Resistant to Organized Religion.
Low Need or Interest in a Spiritual Life.
A world in which people experience little need for a
spiritual life and are not affiliated with organized
religion and established congregations. The task of the
church is to be incarnational—placing itself in the midst
of the culture and the gathering places of people.
19. Scenario Four
Receptive to Organized Religion.
Low Need or Interest in a Spiritual Life.
A world in which people attend church activities, but
are not actively engaged in their church community.
They may participate in significant church events such
as Christmas and Easter and sacramental celebrations
involving their families. Some may even attend worship
regularly.
20. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
Shifting from:
One Size Fits All Curriculum & Programming
To:
Personalized & Customized Faith Formation
focusing on addressing people's spiritual & religious growth
by offering a wide variety of religious content & experiences
Differentiated Faith Formation
21. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
A Lifelong Faith Formation Network addresses 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.
22. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
A Lifelong Faith Formation Network guides 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.
23. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
A Lifelong Faith Formation Network incorporates
informal learning, as well as formal learning in faith
formation.
24. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
A Lifelong Faith Formation Network utilizes a variety
of faith formation models to address the diverse life
tasks and situations, 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
25. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
A Lifelong Faith Formation Network blends face-to-
face, interactive faith formation programs and activities
with virtual, online faith formation programs, activities,
and resources.
26. Lifelong Faith Formation Network
A Lifelong Faith Formation Network incorporates
communities of practice to connect individuals and
groups throughout the congregation.
27. Designing a Lifelong Faith Formation
Network
• Form a Lifelong Faith Formation Network Task Force
• Prepare a statement of your church’s vision and goals
for lifelong faith formation
• Develop an inventory of your church’s current faith
formation programs, activities, and resources using
the four scenarios
28. Designing a Lifelong Faith Formation
Network
• Describe the diverse life tasks and situations, spiritual
and religious needs, and interests of age groups and
families in each of the four scenarios; and develop a
profile of the most important needs
• Research people, programs, activities, and resources
to address the priority life issues and spiritual/
religious needs
29. Designing a Lifelong Faith Formation
Network
• Design new initiatives to address the new spiritual
and religious in each of the four Faith Formation
2020 scenarios
• Develop an Integrated plan for the Lifelong Faith
Formation Network with all of the programs,
activities, and resources organized according to the
four scenarios and the six faith formation models
30. Designing a Lifelong Faith Formation
Network
• Develop an online faith formation center for
connecting people to each other and to the resources
of the Lifelong Faith Formation Network
• Develop a marketing/promotion plan to promote the
Lifelong Faith Formation Network
31. Strategies
• Faith Formation through the Life of the Whole
Church
• Faith Formation with Digital Media and Web
Technologies
• Family Faith Formation
• Intergenerational Faith Formation
32. • Generational Faith Formation
•iGeneration (2000 - )
•Millennials (1980-1999)
•Gen X (1964-1979)
•Boomers (1946-1964)
•Builders (1945 and earlier)
• Milestones Faith Formation
• Faith Formation in Christian Practice
33. • Transforming the World
• Spiritual Formation
• Multi-Ethnic Faith Formation
• Faith Formation for Spiritual Seekers
• Apprenticeships in Discipleship
34. • Pathways to Vibrant Faith and Active Engagement
• Faith Formation in Third Place Settings
• Empowering the Community to Share their Faith
• Interfaith Education and Dialogue
35. Strategies in Multiple Scenarios
• Faith Formation using Digital Media and Web
Technologies
• Milestones Faith Formation
• Faith Formation in Christian Practices
36. • Transforming the World: Engagement in and
Formation for Service and Mission
• Family Faith Formation
• Spiritual Formation
• Multi-Ethnic Faith Formation
37. Strategies for Scenarios 1 & 4
• Faith formation through the life of the whole church
• Intergenerational faith formation
• Generational faith formation