Faith Formation Matters

FAITH FORMATION MATTERS
August 2020

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Introducing the Faith Practice Project!

If there’s one important thing Christians are learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be this: each of us is responsible for our own relationship with God.

Whether our churches are open or closed, whether we’re meeting in person or online, we grow in faith by opening ourselves to the work of God in our hearts and inviting the Spirit to make us more like Jesus.

Starting in September 2020, Faith Formation Ministries invites you to participate in the Faith Practices Project—a journey into twelve spiritual disciplines (or “faith practices”).

Each month, we’ll release a new set of resources on one faith practice, including

a brief introductory “framing” article
creative ideas for engaging that practice on your own, with a group, or in your family
suggested articles, podcasts, books, and more to help you along.

Curious? Check out our resources for the practice of Sabbath, available now.

Collaborating in Humility

I recently wrote a blog post about leaning into humility during these uncertain, rapidly changing times. I wrote it because so many of the ministry leaders I have been working with lately are looking for definitive answers on how to move forward with programming plans when there aren’t many firm answers to offer.

Truthfully, often the caller is looking for me to confirm their opinion in order to go back to a ministry leader or pastor with more or stronger ammunition for a particular strategy they are promoting, only to receive a “Maybe, but have you also thought about . . . ” response from me. I know that this is frustrating, but let’s be honest: these are frustrating times where the grey areas far outweigh the well defined ones.

So, I believe that we are all being called to practice deep, intentional humility because more than ever we don’t know what we don’t know.

5 Terrific Tips for Telling God’s Story with Children during Online Worship

Whether you're wondering how to include and engage children during worship this fall or looking for fresh ideas for children's messages, the ideas in this post have got you covered.

Taking a Mulligan: Youth Ministry in Fall 2020

What was once normal may not be our reality ever again... If we look at youth ministry from a cup-half-full perspective, it almost feels like we have been given the gift of a mulligan. A what??

New, Simple, Flexible Children’s Curriculum for Complex Times

Dwell Flex is a new edition of Dwell, built specifically for the challenges and changes many churches are navigating through right now. We’ve tailor-made 36 new Dwell sessions for use in a variety of situations and across multiple age groups to help make things a little easier.

A Guide for Adapting Any Dwell Session

Use this free guide to easily adapt any Dwell session into a simplified outline which Dwell leaders can use with children in-person or virtually or parents could use at home.

Coaching Corner

Bearing Our Burdens Together

By Liz Tolkamp

We live in troubled times. Restrictions placed on us by COVID have required churches to significantly pivot how they do ministry. Previous faith-forming opportunities held within the brick and mortar building of the church are no longer possible, forcing pastors and church leaders to think outside the box about how to “do discipleship” during a pandemic. This creates stress and uncertainty, but it also creates feelings of loneliness and isolation as pastors and church leaders struggle with how to fulfill the church’s calling to faith formation in their context during this pandemic.

Faith Formation Resource Corner

At-home Faith Formation Tips for 2020-2021

Here’s an easy way to share helpful faith formation tips with your congregation! Each week, cut and paste one tip into your church bulletin, post it on your website, email it, or post on your church’s social media. This year, we’ve included ready-made images for social media, so it’s as easy as download, upload.

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all of the free resources included in it?

The CRC’s Faith Formation Ministries is supported by Ministry Shares and by donations from individuals like you. Your gifts help us support ministry leaders, provide curriculum and other resources, and equip CRC churches with new ways to help people grow in faith. If you would like to partner with FFM in this exciting work, please click below.

About Faith Formation Ministries
Faith Formation Ministries (FFM) supports CRC congregations as they carry out their callings in faith formation and discipleship. FFM recognizes that each congregation has a unique identity, history, context, and calling; FFM listens, dialogues, and then suggests ideas and develops resources to strengthen these ministries. Coaching conversations with our regional catalyzers range from a fifteen-minute check-in on a small detail to a year-long congregational re-visioning journey—and anywhere in between. If you face a faith formation question or challenge, let's talk!

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Coaching Corner

Faith Formation Resource Corner

Appreciate this newsletter and all of the free resources included in it?

Appreciate this newsletter and
all of the free resources included in it?