Spiritual - thoughts by Char Leone

How do we as a congregation develop educational ministries that are effective in connecting in faith with individuals and families?  What can be done to make them truly transformational and not only transfer-mational?  How do we invite and gather people to serve in educational ministries?   How do we plan for educational ministries that are transformational, allowing God to change who we are inside in order that we live and serve as committed disciples of Christ?  How do we encourage a process of discovery of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in our families, communities, and world in this time and place?   All of these questions are for planners and leaders to get to the heart of what it means to live into a spiritually formational ministry. 

 

Is the Trinity invited into the process from the beginning, recognizing that we are only the tools through which God works?  Do we actively seek God’s direction and God’s vision for our ministry?  It is in listening to the movement of the Holy Spirit that the congregation faithfully understands their particular mission and is opened up to a vision of faith formation which helps to fulfill that mission.  We trust that God’s Spirit will move members, leadership, and staff to create and plan for educational ministries and teach practices that effectively educate and form people in faith.  Transformational ministry experiences move us each along a journey of faith.    As leaders attempt to share God’s vision for ministry,  narrowing the gap between what is and what we are called to be as a community of faith is in itself a process that is both educational and transformational and sets an example for all ministries to follow.  A spiritual teaching and learning community must start with recognizing God’s presence by asking what it is that God is doing in this place.  This starts with prayer, scripture, and reflection to allow us to be alert and discerning.   Asking members of the congregation to be part of the process is key.  Invite those involved in teaching to help create objectives in support of the mission and vision. 

Do our teachers have a sense of calling or vocation?  Do they have a high faith maturity?  Do we provide them with ways to deepen their spiritual lives?
A sense of calling is helped by giving members the invitation to respond to specifics.  Many congregations have a “time and talent” survey in which teaching children, youth, or adults is included on the checklist.  Is this an adequate call?  Although it is a way to explore what the ministries need and to discover what you may be interested in responding to, it is probably not adequate without highlighting in some way the value of the response to both the ministry and the individual responding.  Some congregations have found that a description of the ministry, including outlining its purpose and fit with the congregation’s overall mission and vision, is effective.  For teachers, clarity about expectations, training, and support along with a brief job description will help with their discernment.  A sense of calling is always encouraged by face to face contact and conversation and naming of gifts you see in the other.  What gifts are you hoping for in a teacher?  These will be different for children, youth, and adults, and even families or small groups.  One gift, however, stands above all others and it is one we assume they will possess:  faith and the desire to share faith and help others grow in faith.   The spiritual lives of those leading others in faith formation is tended in sharing our stories how they see God working to open the eyes of faith in others and in themselves.  Those who are involved in faith formation know that faith is strengthened in a never-ending process of integrating what we see and experience, feel and sense, learn and wonder about.