The Future of Faith Formation

The Future of Faith FormationJohn Roberto

LifelongFaith Associates

www.lifelongfaith.com

jroberto@lifelongfaith.com

jrlifelong@gmail.com

Topics1. Envisioning Faith Formation through

Four Scenarios2. Developing a Lifelong Faith

Formation Network3. The Emerging Role of the Faith

Formation Curator4. Designing Innovations in Faith

Formation

Focus How can churches provide

vibrant faith formation that addresses the spiritual and religious needs of all ages and generations now and into the future?

How can parishes envision the future of faith formation and design initiatives to respond proactively to the challenges and opportunities in the second decade of the 21st century?

www.LifelongFaith.comjroberto@lifelongfaith.com

www.faithformation2020.net

www.FaithFormationLearningExchange.net

The Challenge of Adaptive Change

“The significant problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we

were at when we created them.”

Albert Einstein

Technical Problems Technical problems (even though they

may be complex) can be solved with knowledge and procedures already in hand.

Leadership would be an easy and safe undertaking if organizations and communities only faced problems for which they already knew the solutions. Everyday, people have problems for which they do, in fact, have the necessary know-how and procedures—technical problems.

Adaptive Challenges Adaptive challenges require experiments, new

discoveries, and adjustments from numerous places in the organization.

Without learning new ways—changing attitudes, values, and deep-seated behaviors—people cannot make the adaptive leap necessary to thrive in the new environment. Adaptive challenges call for changes of heart and mind—the transformation of long-standing habits and deeply held assumptions and values.

Leadership is “the activity of mobilizing people to tackle the toughest problems and do the adaptive work

necessary to achieve progress.” (Ronald Heifetz and Martin Linsky)

Four Scenarios

4 Scenarios

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 Christian churches and most uncertain in terms of future outcome.

4 Scenarios

1. 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?

2. Will people’s hunger for and openness to God and the spiritual life increase over the next decade or will people’s hunger for and openness to God and the spiritual life decrease.

Two Critical Uncertainties

Faith Formation 2020 MatrixDominant Cultural Attitude toward Organized

ReligionReceptive

Low High People’s Hunger for God and the Spiritual Life

Resistant

4 Scenarios for the Future

Scenario 4

Uncommitted &

Participating

Scenario 1 Vibrant Faith & Active

Engagement

Scenario 3

Unaffiliated &

Uninterested

Scenario 2

Spiritual but Not

Religious

Task 3. Assessing Viewed through the lens of the 4

Scenarios, who is being served by current faith formation programming?

Who is not?

Where are the greatest needs or gaps?

What are the priority areas for growth and improvement?

Strategies

1. Faith Formation through the Life of the Whole Church

2. Faith Formation with Digital Media and Web Technologies

3. Family Faith Formation4. Intergenerational Faith Formation5. Generational Faith Formation: ▪ iGeneration (2000 - )▪ Millennials (1980-1999)▪ Gen X (1964-1979)▪ Boomers (1946-1964)▪ Builders (1945 and earlier)

Strategies

6. Milestones Faith Formation7. Faith Formation in Christian

Practice8. Transforming the World9. Spiritual Formation 10.Multi-Ethnic Faith Formation11.Faith Formation for Spiritual

Seekers

Strategies

12.Apprenticeships in Discipleship

13.Pathways to Vibrant Faith and Active Engagement

14.Faith Formation in Third Place Settings

15.Empowering the Community to Share their Faith

16.Interfaith Education and Dialogue

Scenario #4+ FF before and after

Marriage+ FF before and after

Baptism+ Family faith formation+ Milestones faith

formation+ Pathways to deepen

faith & engagement

Scenario #1+ FF for Millennial

Generation+ FF before and after

Marriage+ FF before and after

Baptism+ FF for Baby Boomers+ Empowering people to

share their faithScenario #3

+ Third Place settings+ Family life center+ Events (movie nights,

art and drama, concerts, festivals)

+ Community-based ministry (service, recovery ministry)

Scenario #2+ Third Place settings+ Targeting 20-30 year

olds+ Small group

experiences+ Spiritual formation+ Pathways to deepen

faith & engagement

ExampleThe Wesley PlayhouseFamily Life Center

Example: Spiritual Seekers

Introduction Dinner: Is there more to life than this? Week 1: Who is Jesus? Week 2: Why did Jesus die? Week 3: How can we have faith? Week 4: Why and how do I pray? Week 5: Why and how should I read the Bible? Week 6: How does God guide us? Week 7: How can I resist evil? Week 8: Why & how should we tell others? Week 9: Does God heal today? Week 10: What about the Church? Weekend: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does the

Holy Spirit do? How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? How can I make the most of the rest of my life?

Example: Spiritual Seekers

Example: PathwaysOur Lady of Soledad Catholic Parish

Mini-Retreat 101: “Catholics Alive!” “What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?”

Mini-Retreat 201: “Alive and Growing Spiritually!” maturing in the Catholic faith

Mini-Retreat 301: “Alive and Gifted!” discerning how to serve God in ministry

Mini-Retreat 401: “Alive in the World!” living as witnesses for Christ, as contagious Catholic

Christians Mini-Retreat 501: “Alive to Praise God!”

Catholic worship and the sacraments

Developing a Lifelong Faith Formation Network

A Lifelong Faith Formation Network is a

way to provide faith formation for everyone,

anytime, anywhere, 24x7x365.

Significant ShiftShifting from. . .

“One Size Fits All” Curriculum & Programming

to A Network of Personalized & Customized Faith Formation Activities & Resources

focusing on addressing people’s spiritual and religious growth by offering a wide variety of

religious content and experiences“Differentiated Faith Formation”

Feature #1 Address 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.

Feature #2 Recognize that learning is a

process of active inquiry with the initiative residing within the individual.

Feature #3 Guide 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.

A Process for a Developing a Personalized Faith Growth Plan

Assessing Spiritual Growth

Working with a Mentor/Guide

Finding Resources on the Network

Engaging in Formation

Sharing with the Community

Reflecting on Growth and

Identifying New Needs

Feature #4 Incorporate informal learning, as

well as formal learning in faith formation.FORMAL LEARNING

classes & workshopsspeaker seriesonline courses

small group Bible study

self-studyBible study

social networkingfaith-sharing groups

INTENTIONAL UNEXPECTEDreading /watching a DVD

mentoringservice/mission activity

program at the library orlocal bookstore

internet surfingwatching a movie

TV showshopping at a homeimprovement store

INFORMAL LEARNING

Feature #5 Utilize a variety of faith formation

models to address the diverse life tasks, 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

Faith Formation Models

Face-to-Face

& Virtual

On Your Own Mentor

ed

@Home

Small Group

Large Group

Church Communi

ty

Community & World

Faith Formation Models

Activity

Activity

Activity

• Face-to-Face• Virtual1. On Your Own2. Mentored3. At Home4. In Small Group5. In Large Group6. In Church7. In Community

& World

Spiritual & Religious

Needs

Topics or Themes

Feature #6 Offer programs and activities in face-to-face

physical settings; in virtual, online settings, and in blended settings that combine both. They can be offered only in physical locations, such as

church facilities, homes, retreat centers, camps, and community settings

They can be offered only in virtual settings, such as an online course, collaborative wiki, and online resource center.

They can be offered in a blended approach, combining a gathering in a physical location with online delivery (activities, group projects, interaction) and some element of individual control over time, place, path, and/or pace.

Blended ApproachesFully online program or activity with options for face-to-face interaction in physical settings.

Mostly or fully online program or activity with regular interaction and programming in physical settings.

An online platform that delivers most of the program or activities with leaders providing on-site support on a flexible and adaptive as-needed basis through in-person mentoring and small group sessions.

Programs and activities in physical settings guided by a leader with online components that extend beyond the program sessions.

Programs and activities in physical settings that include online resources to supplement the program content.

A Network Approach

Faith Formati

on Networ

k

Church Progra

msSmall

Groups &

Support

Groups

Mentors

Community

Programs

Online Course

s & Activiti

esOnline Resourc

es: Print, Audio, Video

Video Confere

nce

Apps

Blogs

Social Media for Connecti

on

User-Generat

ed Content

Feature #7Offer a variety of faith formation

programs, activities, experiences, and resources to address the diverse ways people learn and grow in faith.

Feature #8 Incorporate communities of

practice to connect individuals and groups throughout the congregation.

Illustrations of a Network Approach

Offer Faith Formation on One Theme in a Variety of Formats

Whole

Church

Theme

On Your Own (Print, Audio, Video, Online

Resources & Courses)

Small Group Course

(online & physical settings)

Family @Home (Online

Resources)Adult 4-Week

Lecture Series @ Church

(Videotaped & online)

Age Group Programs: Children &

Youth

Transform a “One-Size-Fits-All Faith” into a Variety of Faith Formation Formats

Confirmation

Content &

Experiences

Option 1. Church

Program (current model) Option 2.

Small Group Program

Option 2. Online Small Group

Program using Skype

Option 3. Mentored

Option 4. Online

Progam (print &

video) with Regular

Check-in

Online Projects (everyon

e)

Social Networking Space

for a Blog,

Project Sharing,

etc.

Extend Worship into Everyday Life

Share ItBlog/ForumAfter Mass

In ProgramsFamily Conversation

Activity

Study ItTaking Faith Home

InsertHomily Video + Study

GuideDaily Readings

Scripture Commentaries

Online Bible StudyLive ItLiving the Message

DailyLiving Christian

PracticesService Ideas for the

Week

Pray ItWeekly Table Prayer

Praying with the SaintsAM & PM Prayer

Sunday Worship

Extend Monthly Family or Intergenerational Faith Formation throughout the Month

Monthly

Gathering

Talk About It:

Conversation

Questions

Learn More:

Watch a Video,

Listen to a Talk, Read an Article

Live It: Action Project for the Month

Pray: Prayers for the Month, Table

Prayers on the Theme

Children Center:

Projects, Activities,

and Stories

Parents Center: How-to helps

(video, audio, print)

Share What Your

Learning: Write a

Blog Entry, Create & Share a Video or Project

Baptism

Mentors

4 Keys Activities for

Home

Prayer, Rituals, Bible, Family Conversation,

Service

Parent Faith Formation &

Parenting Skills

Social Media, Workshops,

Online Resources

MilestonesBaptism

Anniversary, First Prayers,

Start of School

Support Groups Mom’s Group, Dad’s Group

Early Childhood Program

Family Gatherings

Quarterly Church

Gatherings

Family Small Group Clusters

Targeting a Group: Young Families

Extending & Deepening Whole Church Faith Formation

Core Experien

ce

Youth & Family

Children &

Family

Parents

Young Adults

Adults

Older Adults

@ Hom

e

Prayer

Bible Readi

ng

Faith Conversat

ionRitual

Service

Learning

Project

Comprehensive Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith

Formation

Online Course

s Audio & Video

Programs

Books &

Book Clubs

Life Transiti

ons

Prayer &

Spritual

Practices

Justice &

Service

Small Group Studie

s

Life Tasks

& Issues

Extended

Learning Program

s

Faith in Art Tours

iTunes U

Online Courses

YouVersion Bible App

Bible Study, Small Groups

Apps

E-Newsletter

Spiritual Seeker Programs

Introduction Dinner: Is there more to life than this? Week 1: Who is Jesus? Week 2: Why did Jesus die? Week 3: How can we have faith? Week 4: Why and how do I pray? Week 5: Why and how should I read the Bible? Week 6: How does God guide us? Week 7: How can I resist evil? Week 8: Why & how should we tell others? Week 9: Does God heal today? Week 10: What about the Church? Weekend: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does the Holy

Spirit do? How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? How can I make the most of the rest of my life?

Example: Alpha Course

Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Parish1. Mini-Retreat 101: “Catholics Alive!”

“What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?” 2. Mini-Retreat 201: “Alive and Growing Spiritually!”

maturing in the Catholic faith3. Mini-Retreat 301: “Alive and Gifted!”

discerning how to serve God in ministry4. Mini-Retreat 401: “Alive in the World!”

living as witnesses for Christ, as contagious Catholic Christians

5. Mini-Retreat 501: “Alive to Praise God!” Catholic worship and the sacraments

Example: Pathways to a Deeper Faith

Example: Pathways to a Deeper Faith

1. Spirituality: What’s the Buzz?

2. Who is Jesus?3. Do We Need the Spirit?4. Can I Accept God’s

Mercy?5. Can Mass Make My Life

Meaningful?6. The Church and Me

Third Place Settings

Spiritual Form

ation for Everyone

Network Approach

Program

Church Progra

ms Small Groups & Support Groups

Mentors

Community

Programs

Online Courses

& Activitie

sOnline Resources: Print, Audio, Video

Video Confere

nce

Apps

Blogs

Social Media for Connectio

n

User-Generate

d Content

The Emerging Role of the Faith Formation Curator

Faith Formation Curator Shifting from providing religious

content and programming to curating religious content and experiences for all ages

A content curator is someone who continually finds, groups, organizes, and shares the best and most relevant content on a specific subject to match the needs of a specific audience.

Faith Formation CuratorWhat would you curate?

Congregational Programs & ActivitiesCommunity Programs & ActivitiesPeople ResourcesPrint ResourcesAudio & Video ResourcesArt, Drama, and Music ResourcesOnline Content: Websites, Courses,

Blogs Apps & Digital Resources

The Process of Curation Researc

h

Aggregate & Evaluate

Deliver

Communicate &

Connect

Designing Innovations

Design Process for an New InitiativeSelect a Need or Target Group

Consult Strategies

Generate Ideas

Evaluate Ideas

Design an Implementat

ion Plan

Pilot the Innovation

Scale-Up the Innovation

Designing a New InitiativeStep 1. Select a priority need.Step 2. Consult the Faith Formation 2020

Strategies. Step 3. Generate creative ideas. Step 4. Evaluate the ideas. Step 5. Design an implementation plan.Step 5. Implement the initiative through small

scale prototyping.Step 6. Implement the initiative through small

scale prototyping.Step 7. Implement the initiative with a wider

audience and continue evaluation and improvements.

Design ProcessStep 1. Select a priority need.Step 2. Consult the Faith Formation

2020 strategies & consult the resources you have available: people, parish, organizations, the community, print and media, online, etc.

Step 3. Generate creative ideas. Step 4. Evaluate the ideas.

Generating Ideas

Design ProcessStep 5. Design an implementation plan. How many of the six faith formation models will be

utilized? What are the dates and times? What is the location: physical/facility and/or

online/website? What are the implementation steps and target dates

(timeline) for completing each step. What resources will you need to implement the initiative. How much will the initiative cost? How many leaders will you need to implement the

initiative, how you will find them, and how you will prepare them?

Design ProcessStep 6. Implement the initiative

through small scale prototyping.Step 7. Implement the initiative with a

wider audience and continue evaluation and improvements.

Develop an online faith formation center for connecting people to each other and to the resources of the Lifelong Faith Formation Network.

Parish Website: Planning Checklist

1. Who is the audience? 2. Planning—visit other sites. 3. Reflect on what you are: what are your core values and

how do you want to say that? 4. Define a reasonable scope and get buy-in from stake-

holders in the congregation. 5. Do an easy survey of your audience—what are they

looking for, what do they expect? 6. Decide on the types of content to include (+ graphics).7. Map out your basic navigation (7 buckets is about all a

person can digest).8. Pick the technology or platform. 9. Create the design. 10. Build your content .11. Release the site.