Become a Church of Lifelong Learning and Faith Formation
Every church wants to nurture a vibrant and vital faith in all ages and generations.
Discover how to make it happen.
Faith for a Lifetime is a multi-year initiative from Lifelong Faith Associates to help churches make lifelong learning and faith formation a reality in their communities. The Initiative includes four components:
1. Explore and Apply the Vision & Practices of Lifelong Faith Formation – A Free Online Course (February-April 2023)
1. Explore and Apply the Vision & Practices of Lifelong Faith Formation – A Free Online Course (February-April 2023)
- Learn more about the vision and practices of lifelong faith formation, and how to create a plan for lifelong faith formation in your church. You will receive a weekly article via email, beginning the week of February 6, to guide you in learning more about lifelong faith formation. Each week there will be a short activity to help you apply the vision and practices to your church. In addition, there will be videos and resources online to assist you.
2. Explore Effective Practices for Faith Formation (Spring 2023)
3. Build a Church Culture of Lifelong Faith Formation - Lifelong Faith Symposium (Summer 2023)
4. Design New Initiatives in Lifelong Faith Formation (Fall 2023 - 2024)
- Learn about effective practices in faith formation with all ages and generations, with families, and with the whole community. A series of special reports will present the research on “what is working” in family, life stage, and intergenerational faith formation. Discover how to apply these practices to your church.
3. Build a Church Culture of Lifelong Faith Formation - Lifelong Faith Symposium (Summer 2023)
- Participate in one of the four regional, two-day Symposium programs that will help you create a church culture that fosters the faith of every age and generation. Experience the “how to” of lifelong faith formation: approaches, skills, and tools for building a culture of lifelong faith growth in today’s world. See the information below about registering for the Symposium.
4. Design New Initiatives in Lifelong Faith Formation (Fall 2023 - 2024)
- Join a cohort of leaders to develop and pilot new projects for creating a community of lifelong learning and faith formation in your church. Access an online library of new initiatives and resources to design your projects. More information will be coming in the Spring about joining a cohort.
Join Us for the "Faith for a Lifetime" Symposium in Summer 2023
Four Locations in June & July 2023
- May 31-June 1 - Holy Family Retreat Center, Farmington, CT (Hartford)
- June 6-7 - Franciscan Center, Tampa, FL
- July 11-12 - Bellarmine Retreat Center, Barrington, IL (Chicago)
- July 25-26 - Mercy Center, Burlingame, CA (San Francisco)
The Program
The Faith for a Lifetime Symposium will explore how every church community can foster the faith of every age and generation - for a lifetime. The two-day Symposium will focus on the "how to" of building a culture of lifelong faith growth in today's world. We will explore:
Every participant will create a blueprint for making their church a community that fosters Faith for a Lifetime.
Team
The Symposium will be led by a team of four people from the Lifelong Faith Team: Dr. Kathie Amidei, Jane Angha, Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen, Rev. Michael Droege, Rev. Christine Hides, Leif Kehrwald, Catzel LaVecchia, Jim Merhaut, Rev. Kathy Pittenger, Janet Schaeffler OP, Debbie Streicher, and Denise Utter. John Roberto will serve as the Symposium Facilitator.
The Schedule
Day One
Day Two
- the vision and practices for making lifelong learning and faith formation a reality in every church community
- the challenges facing faith formation and how to creatively and innovatively address them through a lifelong approach
- research conducted by Lifelong Faith on effective practices in faith formation with age groups, parents and families, and the intergenerational faith community
- how to create initiatives that build a culture of lifelong learning and faith formation in your church
Every participant will create a blueprint for making their church a community that fosters Faith for a Lifetime.
Team
The Symposium will be led by a team of four people from the Lifelong Faith Team: Dr. Kathie Amidei, Jane Angha, Rev. Dr. Tanya Campen, Rev. Michael Droege, Rev. Christine Hides, Leif Kehrwald, Catzel LaVecchia, Jim Merhaut, Rev. Kathy Pittenger, Janet Schaeffler OP, Debbie Streicher, and Denise Utter. John Roberto will serve as the Symposium Facilitator.
The Schedule
Day One
- 11 am Registration begins
- 1 pm Welcome, Introduction, and Prayer
- 1:30 Session 1. Context and Challenges for Faith Formation Today
- 3:15 Break
- 3:45 Session 2. A Church Culture that Nurtures Faith for a Lifetime
- 5:30 Dinner
- 7:00 Session 3. Effective Practices for Age Group, Family, and Intergenerational Faith Formation
- 8:30 Prayer Experience
Day Two
- 7:30 am Breakfast
- 8:30 Morning Prayer
- 9:00 Session 4. Initiatives to Create a "Faith for a Lifetime" Culture
- Noon Lunch
- 1:00 pm Session 5. A "Faith for a Lifetime" Blueprint for Your Church
- 4:00 Departure
Registration
We have created a $390 all-inclusive price for the Symposium which includes your registration fee, overnight accommodations, and three meals (dinner on day 1, and breakfast and lunch on day 2).
If you do not want overnight accommodations, enter the code SLEEP when you register to receive a $75 discount.
To receive a $25 discount for Early Registration (until February 15, 2023, enter the code EARLY. This only applies to the All-Inclusive Price.
How to get your discount:
When you follow a registration link below and click GET TICKET you will go to the registration page. On the left side in blue you will see ENTER PROMO CODE. Click on the words and enter your code.
If you do not want overnight accommodations, enter the code SLEEP when you register to receive a $75 discount.
To receive a $25 discount for Early Registration (until February 15, 2023, enter the code EARLY. This only applies to the All-Inclusive Price.
How to get your discount:
When you follow a registration link below and click GET TICKET you will go to the registration page. On the left side in blue you will see ENTER PROMO CODE. Click on the words and enter your code.