Models of Lifelong Faith Formation

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Read Chapter Ten
"Creating a Model of Lifelong Faith Formation" ​

A model of lifelong faith formation integrates intergenerational, family, and life stage faith formation into a whole, providing direction for promoting maturing in faith through all of the ages and stages of life. A clearly articulated model helps everyone understand the purpose and goals of lifelong faith forma tion and how your church is implementing them.

The Lifelong Faith book presents a process to assist your church in creating a model of lifelong and four models that can serve as a guide for naming your current model or creating your model. Each of the four models has a distinct focus to guide the development of lifelong faith formation: 

• In the Intergenerational Model, faith formation for all ages together is at the center of lifelong faith formation. Intergenerational programming, involving all ages and conducted monthly, biweekly, or weekly, is the shared faith formation experience for all ages. Churches develop a multiyear curriculum of themes that apply to all ages—focusing on one theme per year or integrating multiple themes in one year. The multiyear curriculum can include programming on scripture, Christian beliefs, Christian practices, prayer and spirituality, worship and sacraments, morality, the Sunday lectionary cycle readings, church year feasts and seasons, and social justice. 
  
  While intergenerational formation is the central experience for the whole community, churches also offer a variety of life stage networks and milestone net- works throughout the year. They offer preparation formation for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. They also offer life stage faith formation pro- gramming that focuses on specific needs of each life stage and complements the all-ages focus of intergenerational formation.

 

• In the Worship Model, faith formation is developed around Sunday worship— the scripture readings, sermon, and ritual—with a weekly or monthly theme to focus formation. For churches that are lectionary-based, the cycle of scripture readings forms the basis for themes addressed in faith formation. For churches that develop topical worship series, the theme of the series, as found in the ser- mon and scripture readings, forms the basis of formation. Churches use a variety of programming to address the theme: intergenerational gatherings, life stage experiences, small group programs, online faith formation, and more. For exam- ple, a monthly theme that is the focus of the Sunday worship experience can be deepened through an intergenerational program on the first Sunday of the month, life stage programming in a variety of formats throughout the month, and a playlist on the theme with activities for all ages.
  
  While worship is at the center of all faith formation experience for the whole community, churches also offer a variety of life stage networks and milestone net- works throughout the year. Churches offer preparation formation for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. They also offer life stage faith formation programming that focuses on specific needs of each life stage and complements the all-ages focus of worship formation.

 

• In the Thematic Model, faith formation is built around an annual (or seasonal) church-wide theme that becomes the central focus of the whole community. This theme can emerge from the lives of people, the life of the church community, events in the community and world, the Bible and theology, Christian practices, and more. Faith formation on the theme can include intergenerational gatherings, family programs, life stage programs, online programs and activities, and more.
  
  While the theme is at the center of all faith formation experiences for the whole community, churches also offer a variety of life stage networks and milestone networks throughout the year. Churches offer preparation formation for baptism, first communion, and confirmation. They also offer life stage faith formation programming that focuses on specific needs of each life stage and complements the all-ages focus of thematic formation.

 

• ​In the Life Stage Model, faith formation is developed around each stage of life: children and families (0–10 or 0–5 and 6–10), adolescents (11–19), young adults (20s–30s), midlife adults (40s–50s), mature adults (mid 50s–mid 70s), and older adults (75+). (Many churches combine several adult stages, such as mature and older adults.) Each stage of life incorporates three essential faith-forming expe- riences: intergenerational relationships, activities, and church life and events (including Sunday worship), family faith practice at home, and life stage activities and experiences designed to address life stage needs and situations, interests, and religious and spiritual journeys at each stage of life. (See chapters four, five, and six for specific ideas.)
  
  Life stage networks are supported by milestone (or sacrament or life transition) formation. Networks can be created for Christian initiation and new mem- ber formation, marriage preparation, parent formation for the baptism of their child, family preparation for first communion, preparation of adolescents for confirmation, and more.

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Lifelong Faith Training Videos:
Models of Lifelong Faith Formation
(click on the Training logo)