Lifelong Faith Journal

Lifelong Faith Journal
Now Available as a Free Service!

We are now providing all issues of the Lifelong Faith Journal as a free service - new issues and back issues. We want every congregation, and individual leaders and students, to have access to the Lifelong Faith Journal. We will continue to produce the quarterly Journal with the same great content we have provided for the past six years—the best thinking and practice in faith formation across the whole life span. Each issue will continue to focus on a particular aspect of lifelong faith formation and include major articles by national experts, book reviews, and practical strategies and program models.

Everyone on the Lifelong Faith mailing list will get notices when the new issue is available. Be sure to join the mailing list.

Download the Latest Version of Acrobat Reader

All issues are in PDF format for easy reading and printing. Beginning with Volume 6 we have added website links and embedded digital content. Be sure to use the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to download PDF files. You can download the latest version for free from the Adobe website: www.adobe.com.

Spring 2013 Issue: Innovations in Faith Formation 2013

The Spring 2013 issue of Lifelong Faith presents innovative projects in faith formation across the life span. The articles are written by the people who created the innovation and provide links to a variety of resources to help you use the ideas in your congregation.

All Ages: Innovation on the Hillside: The Ministry of the FiveLoaves.com - Tom Tomaszek
All Ages: The Generosity Project - Linda Staats
All Ages: The Center for Spiritual Resources - Robbin Whittington
Adults: Good News People - Katherine Feely, SND
Children & Youth: Can a Congregation Imagine ‘Something New’? - Karen Gieseke
Family: Renaming and Reclaiming a Faith Practice -Debbie Streicher
Leaders: A Coaching Approach to Spiritual Vitality - Jim LaDoux
Young Adult: Taking a Coalition Approach to Young Adult Ministry - Kate Hine, SND & Margaret Vogel
Youth: A “Community of Communities” Approach to Youth Ministry - Ken Johnson-Mondragon with Ed Lozano

Download Volume 7.1

New Issue: Volume 6.4 - Faith Formation & People with Special Needs

The Winter 2012 issue of Lifelong Faith on the theme of “Faith Formation & People with Special Needs” presents theological and theoretical reflections on faith formation with people with special needs, as well as practical suggestions for ministry and learning.

Educating Toward Full Inclusion in the Body of Christ: People with Disabilities Being Full Members of the Church - Brett Webb-Mitchell
A Vision of a Post-Disability Ministry Church - Brett Webb-Mitchell
Welcoming All: Intergenerational Faith Formation for People with Disabilities - Sharon Urbaniak
There Are No Barriers To God's Love - Mark I. Pinsky
Affirming Presence: Spiritual Life and Friendship with Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities - Benjamin T. Conner
Faith Formation Resources

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Volume 6.3 - Faith Formation with Adults

This Fall 2012 issue explores adult faith and spirituality, and presents effective practices for faith formation with adults. As always resources are included in each article and a resource review at the end of this issue.

Spiritual Transformation: The Heart of Adult Faith Formation - Tom Zanzig
Adults Spiritual Formation: Nurturing Adults in Christ and for Others - Jim Merhaut
A View from the Community: What Are We Learning about Adult Faith Formation - Janet Schaeffler OP
The Challenges and Opportunities for Faith Formation with Maturing Adults - Janet Schaeffler OP
Congregational Vitality and Older Adult Ministries - Richard H. Gentzler Jr.

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Volume 6.2 - Faith Formation in the First Third of Life

The Summer 2012 issue of Lifelong Faith on the theme of “Faith Formation in the First Third of Life” explores the newest thinking and practices in faith formation with children, adolescents, and emerging adults (20s).

Nurturing the Spiritual Formation of Children - Karen Marie Yust, Brian D. McLaren, Daniel Jennings, & David Csinos
Ministry with Today’s Children and Parents - Dale Hudson
The Future of Children’s Ministry - Dale Hudson
Goldilocks in Our Midst: Ministry with Young Adolescents - Mary Lee Becker
Engaging a New Generation - Frank Mercadante
What’s Old is New (Or Three Things I Learned Studying the Next Generation) - David Kinnaman
How to Reach Young Adults - Anthony B. Robinson
Greenhouses of Hope - Dori Grinenko Baker

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Volume 6.1 - The Ecologies of Lifelong Faith Formation

The Spring 2012 issue explores important research findings describing the significant influence of three ecologies on nurturing Christian faith in all ages: the congregation, intergenerational community, and the family or household.

Congregations as Complex Ecologies for Spiritual Development - Eugene C. Roehlkepartain and Eboo Patel
The Importance of Congregational Culture - John Roberto
The Church Sticking Together - Kara Powell, Brad Griffin, and Cheryl Crawford
The Importance of Intergenerational Community - John Roberto
Sacred Matters—Religion & Spirituality in Families: Main Ideas in Sacred Theory - Wesley R. Burr, Loren D. Marks, and Randal D. Day
An Overview of The American Family Assets Study - Search Institute
The Importance of Family Faith Formation - John Roberto

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Volume 5.4 - Discipleship & Faith Formation

Volume 5.4 presents six contemporary understandings of Christian discipleship with important implications for faith formation with all ages and generations.

"The Great Reversal" by Diana Butler Bass
"The Full Disciple: Is Your Church Producing People Who Embody Kingdom Holiness?" by Scot McKnight
"Monasteries of the Heart" by Joan Chittister
"Practicing the Way of Jesus: An Invitation to Experiment" by Mark Scandrette
"The Invitation-Shaped Life" by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
"Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good" by Amy L. Sherman

This issue is not available online.

Volume 5.3 - Parents & Faith Formation

Parents are the most important factor in the healthy development and faith formation of their children and adolescents. Volume 5.3 provides insights and wisdom for working with parents and developing programs, strategies, and resources for supporting and equipping parents.

What Makes a Good Parent? - A Scientific Analysis Ranks the 10 Most Effective Child-Rearing Practices - Robert Epstein
How Igniting Our Children’s Sparks Can Support and Save Our Children and Their Future - Peter L. Benson
And a Little Child Shall Lead Them: The Advent and Event of Parenting as Spiritual Journey - Dawn M. Alit
Nurturing the Faith of Parents - Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May
Parents and “Sticky Faith”—Building a Lasting Faith in Young People - Kara E. Powell, Brad M Griffin, Cheryl A. Crawford, and Chap Clark
The Parenting Environment - Barna Research & Orange
How to Pass Your Faith to Your Kids - Jim Burns

Download Volume 5.3

Volume 5.2 - A Lifelong Faith Formation Network

The Summer 2011 issue of Lifelong Faith focuses on the theme of “A Lifelong Faith Formation Network for the 21st Century.” What would a 21st century approach to lifelong faith formation look like? This issue of Journal is an attempt to present one vision of a 21st century approach to lifelong faith formation. It is now possible for a congregation to provide faith formation for everyone, anytime, anywhere, 24x7x365. It is now possible to customize and personalize faith formation around the lives of the people in a congregation and offer a wide diversity of programs, activities, and resources in a variety of formats delivered in physical gathered settings and virtual online settings. We are experiencing a convergence of new web and digital technologies that are transforming life and learning and the tremendous growth of religious content and experiences in digital form. A Lifelong Faith Formation Network provides one way to integrate this convergence for the good of the whole congregation. This issue is organized in three sections:

Part 1 presents the vision and features of Lifelong Faith Formation Network
Part 2 offers a guide to develop a Network with several illustrations of how to organize content and experiences on the Network
Part 3 provides an overview of a variety of digital tools that can be integral elements of your Network.

Download Volume 5.2

Volume 5.1 - Leadership for 21st Century Faith Formation

"Practicing The Ten Truths about Leadership" by James M Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
"Becoming a Spirit-Led Leader" by Timothy C. Geoffrion
"Becoming a Faith Formation Curator" by John Roberto
"Becoming an Adaptive and Innovative Leader" based on the work of Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky
"Becoming a Change Leader" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
"Becoming a Culturally Intelligent Leader" by Linn Van Dyne, Soon Ang, and David Livermore

Download Volume 5.1

Volume 4.4 - Faith Formation with Baby Boomers

"A Reflection on Ageism" by Joan Chittister, O.S.B.
"How Well Do You Know the Baby Boom Generation? - A Survey of Research & Analysis"

   - Myths and Facts about Baby Boomers - Focalyst Insight Report
   - Approaching 65: A Survey of Baby Boomers Turning 65 Years Old - AARP
   - Baby Boomers Approach 65 - Pew Research Center
   - The MetLife Report on Baby Boomers – MetLife Mature Market Institute
   - Six Baby Boomer Segments – Yankelovich Boomer Dreams Survey
   - Discovering What Really Matters – MetLife Mature Market Institute
   - Lifelong Learning Activities in the 55+ Population – Road Scholar / Elderhostel
   - Baby Boomers Online 2010 – Pew Internet & American Life Project

"A Reflection on Learning in the Third Chapter of Life" by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
"A Reflection on Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life" by Richard Rohr, OFM
"Developing Faith Formation for the Baby Boom Generation" by John Roberto (with contributions from Gary McIntosh and Amy Hanson)

Download Volume 4.4

Volume 4.3 - Faith Formation with Children

"Saturated Spirituality: Creating Environments that Nurture All Children" by David M. Csinos
Book Excerpt: "Listening to Children in Changing Times" by Catherine Stonehouse & Scottie May
Faith Development and Faith Formation: More Than Just Ages and Stages by Robert J. Keeley
"Influencing Children’s Faith Now" - Reflections from What Matters Now in Children’s Ministry by Matt Guevara, Amy Dolan, Henry Zonio, and Friends
"Family Daily Living Faith Practices" by Christy Olson
"Teaching & Learning with the iGeneration: Perspectives, Strategies, and Ideas" by John Roberto

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Volume 4.2 - Emerging Adulthood & Faith Formation

"Faith and Spirituality among Emerging Adults" by Penny Edgell
"Religion & the Millennial Generation: Insights from the Latest Research" from the Pew Research Center & Marist College Institute for Public Opinion
"Religious Trajectories from the Teenage Years into the Emerging Adult Years" by Christian Smith with Patricia Snell and Kyle Longest
"Young Adults in a Changing Church" by Shannyn Magee
"Emerging Adult Participation in Congregations" by Conrad Hackett
"Faith Formation with Emerging Adults: Congregational Practices"

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Volume 4.1 - Faith Formation and the New Digital Media

" Where Two or More Are Gathered . . . on Facebook" by Cathleen Falsani
"A is for App – How Smartphones and Handheld Computers Sparked an Educational Revolution" by Anya Kamentetz
"WE-ALL-LEARN – The World is Open: How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education" by Curtis J. Bonk
A Resource Guide for WE-ALL-LEARN
"World without Walls: How to Teach When Learning is Everywhere" by Will Richardson
"Nurturing Faith Online" by Lynn Baab
"Moving Online: Faith Formation in a Digital Age" by Julie Anne Lytle
"By the Numbers…Internet and Digital Media Use" by Pew Internet & American Life Project

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Volume 3.4 - Youth Ministry & Adolescent Faith Formation

"The Way of Jesus: Adolescent Development as Christological Process" by Nancy Going
"Four Paradigms of Youth Ministry in the Urban Context" by Fernando Arzola Jr.
"Every Church Can Build a Sustainable Youth Ministry" by Mark DeVries
"Special Report: The Spirit and Culture of Youth Ministry" by Roland Martinson and Wesley Black

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Volume 3.3 - Adult Faith Formation

"Special Research Report: Ecumenical Study of Lifelong Faith Formatio"n by Joan Weber
"Reading the Future of Adult Learning: Seven Hopeful Predictions" by Richard J. Rothwell
"Drink for the Thirsty: Planning for Adult Faith Formation" by Pam Coster
"Faith Formation for Every Adult in Your Church—It’s Possible Today!" by John Roberto

Four Principles of an Adult Faith Formation Learning Resources System
Designing an Adult Faith Formation Learning Resources System

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Volume 3.2 - Envisioning the Future of Faith Formation (1.0)

Volume 3.2 of Lifelong Faith presented the first version of “Faith Formation 2020: Envisioning the Future.” Faith Formation 2020 addresses the question “What will Christian faith formation in churches look like in 2020?” This issue presents the first draft of a working paper to help churches understand the driving forces affecting the future of faith formation 2010-2020 and to envision the future of faith formation through four scenarios that describe what faith formation in 2020 could be like. The book, Faith Formation 2020, was developed from this working paper.

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Volume 3.1 - Generations Learning Together

"Bringing the Generations Together: Support from Learning Theory" by Holly Catterton Allen
"Fostering Intergenerational Relationships" by Carol Howard Merritt
"Developing Reverse Mentoring Relationships" by Earl Creps
"Becoming Intentionally Intergenerational: Models and Strategies" by John Roberto
"Church Profiles: Intergenerational Faith Formation"

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Volume 2.4 - Innovations in Faith Formation

Innovations with Children
Innovations with Youth
Innovations with Technology
Innovations with Young Adults
Innovations with Parents
Innovations with the Whole Church

Download Volume 2.4

Volume 2.3 - Teaching in the Faith Community

"The Art of Jesus the Teacher" by John Shea
"A Decidedly Different Mind" by Stephanie Pace Marshall
"Attentive Teaching in Diverse Communities and Lifelong Faith Formation" by Kathleen T. Talvacchia and Su Yon Pak
"Adult Faith Formation: A Catholic Vision" by Edmund Gordon
"Living Faith in a Media World" by Mary Hess

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Volume 2.2 - Faith Formation in Christian Practices

"A Theological Understanding of Christian Practices" by Craig Dykstra and Dorothy Bass
"The Joy of Practice in Families" by J. Bradley Wigger
"Faith Formation in Christian Practices with Youth and Young Adults" by Don Richter
"Strategies for Faith Formation in Christian Practices" by John Roberto
"Eating Well" Chapter from Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life

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Volume 2.1 - Approaches to Lifelong Faith Formation

"Worship as a Model for Faith Formation" by Ann E. Streaty Wimberly
"Passing on Faith-Milestone to Milestone" by Linda Staats
"Total Community Catechesis for Lifelong Faith Formation" by Thomas Groome
"Lifelong Faith Formation for All Generations" by John Roberto
"The Emerging Vision of Lifelong Formation in the Catholic Church" by Bill Huebsch

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Volume 1.3/4 - Best Practices in Faith Formation

"Best Practices in Intergenerational Faith Formation"
"Best Practices in Family Faith Formation"
"Best Practices in Children's Faith Formation"
"Best Practices in Adolescent Faith Formation"
"Best Practices in Young Adult Faith Formation"
"Best Practices in Adult Faith Formation"
"Best Practices in Parent Faith Formation"

Download Volume 1.3/4

Volume 1.2 - Family Faith Formation

The Rule of Family Faith: Practicing the Presence of God in Our Outward Lives" by Dr. Bonnie J. Miller McLemore
"Faith Formation with Families in Today's Church" by Leif Kehrwald
"Faith Formation with Hispanic/Latino Families" by Ida Miranda
"Making Parents a Priority" by Jolene and Eugene Roekhlkepartain
"Transforming Faith Formation One Family at a Time" by Jim Merhaut
"The Human Body in Family Spirituality" by Cynthia Dobryznski

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Volume 1.1 - Faith Formation through the Life Span

Becoming a Child, Becoming a Christian: Faith Formation of Children" by Dr. Karen Marie Yust
"Forming Young Disciples: Opportunities for the Faith Formation of Adolescents" by Tom East
"The Faith Formation of Young Adults: Challenges and Opportunities" by Joan Weber
"Adult Faith Formation at the Crossroads" by Cathy Minkiewicz
"Shaping a New Vision of Faith Formation for Maturing Adults" by Dr. Richard Johnson
"Faith Formation across the Generations" by Mariette Martineau

Download Volume 1.1