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Faith Formation for All God’s People in a Era of Change
Presenter: John Roberto
John Roberto Vibrant Faith Leadership Team
www.LifelongFaith.com SeasonsofAdultFaith.com FamiliesattheCenter.com
www.VibrantFaith
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An Era of Change
0-10 11-19 20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
10-Decade Society
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Five Generation Society
GenZ/iGen(2000-
Millennials(1980-99)
GenerationX(1961-1979)
BabyBoomers(1946-60)
Builders(before1946)
Contemporary Family Forms
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Ethnic Diversity
Spiritual-Religious Identities
NotSpiritual,NotReligiousUnaffiliateds
TheSpiritualbutNot
ReligiousUninvolved
Faith&Engagement–oneamong
manyprioritiesOccasionals
Faith&EngagementattheCenterofLife
Actives
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Digital Transformation
Technological Revolution: The Print Era (1500s - )
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Technological Revolution: The Multimedia Era (1960s - )
Technological Revolution: The Digital Era (2000+)
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The Digital Transformation 1. Mobilefaithformation–wecanengagepeople
anytime,anyplace,24x72. Anabundanceofhighqualitydigitalcontentforfaith
formation–audio,video,print,websites,digitallearningplatforms,apps,etc.
3. Contentandtoolstoextendandexpandfaithformationinmultipleenvironments
4. Providemultiplewaystolearn5. Developcontentinsmallerunits(micro-learning)that
connecttogether6. Personalizefaithformation—tailorfaithforming
experiencesaroundpeopleandtheirneeds&interests
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Envisioning Faith Formation in a New Era
Envisioning Faith Formation in a New Era
1. DevelopingaNewEcologyofFaithFormation2. FocusingonFaithMaturing3. BecomingIntentionallyIntergenerational4. Empowering&EquippingParents&theFamily5. PersonalizingAgeGroupFaithFormation6. UtilizingDigitalMedia&Methods
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A New Faith Forming Ecology
FaithFormingEcology
Inter-genera-tional
Family
LifeCycle
Missional
DigitallyEnabledandConnected
DigitallyEnabledandConnected
DigitallyEnabledandConnected
DigitallyEnabledandConnected
Faith Forming Environments
Intergenerational
Family
PeersLifeStage
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Forming Faith: Intergenerational
ThroughoutScripturethereisapervasivesensethatallgenerationsweretypicallypresentwhenfaith
communitiesgatheredforworship,forcelebration,forfeasting,forpraise,forencouragement,forreadingofScripture,intimesofdanger,andforsupportandservice....ToexperienceauthenticChristiancommunityandreaptheuniqueblessingsof
intergenerationality,thegenerationsmustbetogetherregularlyandoften—infantstooctogenarians.
(AllenandRoss,84)
Forming Faith: Intergenerational
ConnectthegenerationsthroughalleventsandprogramsUtilizeintergenerationaleventsinthefaithcommunityInfusemultiplegenerationsintoagegroupprogramsCreatenewintergenerationalprograms&experiences
(learning,service,communitylife)
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Worship & Lifelong Faith Formation
WorshipTheme
• Readings• Homily/Sermon• Podcast
FamilyYouthAdults
• Scripture• Learn• Watch/Listen• Read• Prayer• Live
Creed
Sacraments
Morality
Justice
Prayer
Bible
ChristianPractices
A Whole Church Curriculum
EngagingallagesandgenerationstogetherininformingandformingdisciplesofallagesinChristianidentity.
Ø IntergenerationalLearning
Ø Weekly,Bi-Weekly,andMonthlyModels
Ø SmallGroup&LargeGroupModels
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Become Intentionally Intergenerational
Connect Utilize Infuse Create
Forming Faith: Family ª PrimaryInfluenceon
transmissionofreligiousfaithandpractice:Parents&Family
ª Day-to-dayreligiouspracticesofthefamilyandthewaysparentsmodeltheirfaithandshareitinconversation,collaboration,andexposuretooutsidereligiousopportunities
ª SecondaryInfluence:The
CongregationandSignificantAdults
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ParentRole
SponsoroftheFaithpointofaccess
betweenchurchhome
GatekeeperoftheFaith
controloverhowmuchandwhatsortsof
religiouscontenttheirchildrenencounter Interpreterofthe
Faithmeaningful
embodimentoftheChristianfaithinthelivesofchildren
Forming Family Faith: Parents
Family Faith Formation FamilyFaith@Homeü GodinEverydayLifeü FaithPracticesü Milestones
IntergenerationalFaithCommunityü SeasonalEventsü BiblethroughtheYearü IntergenerationalConnections
&Experiences
FamilyLife&Parent/GrandparentFormationü StrongFamilyLifeü Parents&GrandparentsasFaith
Formers
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Faith Practices @ Home
1. Seasonsoftheyear2. Ritualsandmilestones3. Learningthetradition4. Prayerandspiritual
formation5. ReadingtheBible6. Service,justice,carefor
creation
YoungChildren
OlderChildren
YoungAdolescents
OlderAdolescents
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Milestones throughout Life
1. Ritualandblessing2. Homecelebration/
blessing3. Learningprogram–4. Symbol5. Supportingcontinued
growth
Milestones throughout Life
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Milestones throughout Life ª Baptismª AnniversaryofBaptismª PrayerMilestoneª WelcomingYoung
ChildrentoWorshipª BeginningSchooland
ChurchEducationª FirstEucharistª FirstBibleª Sexualityª MiddleSchoolª Confirmationª Driver’sLicenseª MissionTripª HighSchoolGraduation
ª CollegeGraduationª ReturnfromMilitary
Deploymentª NewJobª NewHomeª EmptyNestª Marriageª BecomingaParentª BecomingaGrandparentª Retirementª CaregivingAgingParentsª LossofLovedOnesª DeathandFuneral
Forming Faith: Life Stage Faith Formation
Seasons of Life
• YoungChildren• OlderChildren• YoungAdolescents• OlderAdolescents• YoungAdults(20s-30s)• MidlifeAdults(40s-mid50s)• MatureAdults(mid50s–75)• OlderAdults(75+)
Life Issues
1. Physical&CognitiveChanges
2. DevelopmentalTasks3. FamilyLifeCycle4. FaithDevelopment5. Spiritual-Religious
Identities6. Generational
Characteristics
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Faith Forming Environments
Intergenerational
Family
PeersLifeStage
Personalize Faith Formation
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Pathways of Faith Growth
Pathways for Faith Growth
APathwayisaprocessforhelpingpeoplediscernwheretheyareintheirfaithjourneyandtochartapathforfaithgrowth—togetfromwheretheyaretoacloserrelationshipwithJesusandadeeperpracticeoftheChristianfaith.
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MaturingFaith
RelationshipswithJesusChrist
LivingtheChristianway
oflife-discipleship
Livingwithmoral
integrity
LearningandarticulatingCatholicteachings
Prayingandseekingspiritualgrowth
Studying&readingthe
Bible
EngaginginServiceand
missiontotheworld
Worshippingwiththe
community
Characteristics of Faith Maturing
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Approach 1
PersonalizethePathwayforPeopleª Developpathwaysoffaithmaturingª Developplaylistsofcontentandexperiences
tailoredtothepathwaysª Uploadplayliststoadigitalplatform
ImaginePathwaysforSacramentsBaptism,FirstEucharist,Confirmation,RCIA
A Diversity of Spiritual Religious Identities
NotSpiritual,NotReligiousUnaffiliateds
TheSpiritualbutNot
ReligiousUninvolved
Faith&Engagement–oneamong
manyprioritiesOccasionals
Faith&EngagementattheCenterofLife
Actives
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Personalized Pathways of Faith Growth
Pathways
Vibrant
PlaylistsofContent,
Experiences&Activities
Occasional
PlaylistsofContent,
Experiences&Activities
UninvolvedUnaffiliated
PlaylistsofContent,
Experiences&Activities
Approach 2
PersonalizetheOfferingsª Offeravarietyofcontent,experiences,and
activitiestailoredtodifferentspiritual-religiousidentitiesandtheirneeds1. GettingStarted2. Growing3. GoingDeeper
ª Developadigitalplatformwithcontenttoaddresstheneeds
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Personalize the Offerings on a Website
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Digital Faith Formation Strategies
Digital Faith Formation Strategies 1. Extendachurcheventorprogram2. Designoneeventorprogram,offeritinmultiple
platforms3. Prepareforandfollow-upananeventorexperience4. Flipagatheredprogram5. Integrateonlineandgathered6. Createonlineonlyexperiences7. Usewebinars,Facebooklive,podcasts,etc.todeliver
programmingdirectlytopeople
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ChurchorSchoolEventorProgram
AtHome&DailyLife
Extend the Event
Sunday Worship
• Learning• Praying• ReadingtheBible:DailyReadings• Living
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Tri-Saints Lutheran Hardy, NE
One Event/ Program, Multiple Formats
MultipleFormats
• Gathered• SmallGroup• Independent• Online
Website• DigitalContenttoExtend&ProvideNewWaystoExperience
SocialMedia
• Interaction• Connection• Communication• Demonstration
Event/Program
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Build on an Event/Experience
Preparing
• Whattypesofexperiences,programming,activities,andresourceswillyoudeveloptopreparepeoplefortheevent?
Experiencing
• Howwillyoudesigntheevent?
• Howwillyouengageagegroups,families,andthefaithcommunity?
Living
• Howwillyousustain/extendtheevent?
• Whattypesofexperiences,programs,activities,andresourceswillyouofferpeople?
Flip the Model
@Home/DailyLifeExploringtheContent-print,audio,video,
activities
@TheProgramApplyingtheContent:Create–Practice-
Perform-Participate
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OurConfirmationpreparationprogramhastwocomponents:Onceamonthin-personclassesandanonlinestudy.Theonlinestudyisaplaceforstudentstodeveloptheirfaithweeklybycompletingmulti-medialessonswhichincludevideos,reading,Saintreflections,multiple-choicequestionsandonlinesmallgroupdiscussions.Eachsmallgrouphastheirownonlinespacetodiscussfaithtopics,askquestions,andprayforoneanother.Byhavingbothinpersonclassesandanonlinestudywehopetohelpfamilieslearnmoreabouttheirfaithwhilerespectingthemanydemandsfortheirtime.
Confirmation
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Christian Initiation & New Member Formation
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Flip Christian Initiation
Integrate Online and Gathered
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Integrate Online and Gathered
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Online 40-Day Lent Curriculum Churchè Daily&Home çOnline
• AshWednesday• LentenSunday
liturgies• Stationsofthe
Cross• Lentenprayer• Lentenretreat• Lentenservice• Lentensoup
suppers
• Fasting• Praying• Service/
Almsgiving• Lectionary
reflection• FamilyLenten
activities
• Lentenlearningresources
• Lentencalendar• DailyLenten
prayer• Weeklytable
prayer• Videoresources• Onlineretreat
experience
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Advent or Lent Online “Curriculum”
Online Learning
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Online Prayer
Webinar Live Presentation Upper Dublin Lutheran Church
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Faith Formation for All God’s People in a Era of Change
Presenter: John Roberto
Personalizing Faith Formation
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Two Ways to Approach Personalizing
ApproachOne:PersonalizethePathwayforPeopleª Developpathwaysoffaithmaturingª Developplaylistsofcontentandexperiencestailoredtothe
pathwaysª Uploadplayliststoadigitalplatform
ApproachTwo:PersonalizetheOfferingsª Identifyimportantlifeandreligiousneedsoftargetaudience(s)
ORdevelopapathwaysmodelª Developadigitalplatformwithcontenttoaddresstheneedsª Formatthecontenttailoredtodifferentspiritual-religious
identities
Pathways of Faith Growth
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A Pathways Model
• APathwayisaprocessforhelpingpeoplediscernwheretheyareintheirfaithjourneyandtochartapathforfaithgrowth—togetfromwheretheyaretoacloserrelationshipwithJesusandadeeperpracticeoftheChristianfaith.• APathwayislife-centered,reachingintoeveryareaofaperson’slife.• APathwayisholisticincorporatingthewholeperson:head,heart,andhands.• APathwayfocusesonfaithmaturing.
A Diversity of Spiritual Religious Identities
NotSpiritual,NotReligiousUnaffiliateds
TheSpiritualbutNot
ReligiousUninvolved
Faith&Engagement–oneamong
manyprioritiesOccasionals
Faith&EngagementattheCenterofLife
Actives
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Personalized Pathways of Faith Growth
Pathways
VibrantVarietyof
Experiences&Activities
OccasionalVarietyof
Experiences&Activities
UninvolvedUnaffiliated
VarietyofExperiences&
Activities
Personalized Pathways of Faith Growth
Characteristic
1Playlistof
Experiences&Activities
2Playlistof
Experiences&Activities
3Playlistof
Experiences&Activities
4Playlistof
Experiences&Activities
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Designing a Pathways Model
1. Identifyatargetaudience(s)2. Describetheirlifestage&religious-spiritualcharacteristics.3. Identifyhow/whereyouwillusethePathwaysmodel
• Sacraments/milestones• RCIA,evangelization,andnewmemberprocesses• Gatheredadultfaithformationprogramming• Affinitygroups• On-rampswherepeoplemightstartthediscipleshipjourney
4. DevelopthecontentforthePathways5. Developa‘discernmentcontinuum”thatgivespeopleaway
toreflectontheircurrentgrowth
Designing Steps 1 & 2 Target Audience & Description
SampleThemes–MatureAdults1. Dealingwithretirement2. Makinglifeplans,finances,health3. Becomingagrandparent4. Makingadifferenceinthecommunityand
world5. Incorporatingfamilychangesandtransitions6. Newwaysoflivingandrelatingasamarried
couple7. Caringforagingparents8. TakingtimetoreadtheBibleandlearn
moreaboutmyfaith9. Growingspirituallyandexploringspirituality
forthe2ndhalfoflife10. Connectingwithpeoplemyage;talking
aboutthingsthatmattertous11. Dealingwithloss
• Surveys• FocusGroups• Interviews• Research
Reviews
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Designing Step 3 - How & Where
Identifyhow/whereyouwillusethePathwaysmodel• Sacraments/milestones• RCIA,evangelization,andnewmemberprocesses• Gatheredadultfaithformationprogramming• Affinitygroups• On-rampswherepeoplemightstartthediscipleshipjourney
Designing Step 4 – Content Designing Step 5 – Discernment
DevelopthecontentforthePathways• Lifeandfaithcharacteristicsofthetargetaudience• Characteristicsofmaturefaith
Developa‘discernmentcontinuum”thatgivespeopleawaytoreflectontheircurrentgrowth
• Inquiring--GettingStarted--MakingProgress--GoingDeeper• Howtrue:1=nottruefromme,3=somewhattrueforme,5=verytrueforme
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Approach #2. Personalize the Offerings
Personalize
ü ForLifeStageNeedsü ForSpiritual-ReligiousIdentityü ForInterestsü ForTimePeopleHaveforActivities
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Playlists for Faith Formation
Learning Playlists ª Alearningplaylistisacuratedgroupofdigitalandlocal
learningexperiencesandresources(e.g.videos,websites,books,games,articles,etc.).
ª Aplaylistweavestogethertheselearningexperiencesintoasequencedpathwaycenteredonacommontheme.
ª Playlistsbroadenopportunitiestoengageincohesive,interest-drivenconnectedlearningexperiencesthatcombineavarietyofwaystolearning:peersettings,familysettings,intergenerationalsettings,community/worldsettings,andonlinesettings.
ª Playlistscreatearichnetworkofexperiencesforlearners.
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Curating Playlists ª Booksª Audio/Podcastsª Videoandmoviesª Appsanddigitalprogrammingª Websitecontentandactivitiesª Courses,programs,workshopsatchurchandonlineª Churchlife,ministries,andeventsª Smallgroupsatchurch,home,communitysettingsª Art,drama,musicª Serviceandactionprojects,missiontripsª Retreatsª Fieldtripsª Mentoring
Faith Formation Playlists VarietyofEnvironments:Self-directed,mentored,athome,insmallgroups,inlargegroups,church-wide,inthecommunity,andintheworld.VarietyofWaystoLearn
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Playlists of Content & Experiences
IfyouweretouseaPlaylistapproachtodevelopthefaithoffamilieswithyoungchildren….
1. GettingStartedFamilies(littlefaithexperience)2. GrowingFamilies(somewhatconnectedtofaith
community)3. GoingDeeperFamilies(involvedandpracticing)
• Howwouldyouengagetheparents?• Howwouldyouengagethechildrenandwhole
family?
Playlists of Content & Experiences
IfyouweretouseaPlaylistapproachforfirstcommunion…
1. GettingStartedChildren(littletonofaithformingexperiences)
2. GrowingChildren(somefaithformingexperiences)
3. GoingDeeperChildren(involvedandpracticing)
• Whatwouldfaithformationlooklikewiththesethree“types”ofchildren?
• Whatwouldparentandfamilyfaithformationlooklike?
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Playlists of Content & Experiences IfyouweretouseaPlaylistapproachforconfirmation…
1. GettingStartedAdolescents(littletonofaithformingexperiencessincechildhood)
2. GrowingAdolescents(somefaithformingexperiencesinchildhood)
3. GoingDeeperAdolescents(involvedandpracticing)
• Whatwouldfaithformationlooklikewiththesethree“types”ofadolescents?
• Whatwouldparentandfamilyfaithformationlooklike?
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