What Makes Your Spirit SOAR? An Multisensory Focus Group on Faith Formation

1. What Makes Your Spirit SOAR?An Multisensory Focus Group on Faith Formation NYE 2012 Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Minister for Christian Faith Formation Research

2. What Is This About? • Christian Faith Formation • Christian/Religious Education • Discipleship • Spiritual Formation • Christian/Faith Development

3. Question 1 • Which of the following have been most formational for your faith in the last year? (Choose all that apply.) • Worship • Sermons • Bible studies • Choir/hymn singing • Youth Group • Seasonal/topical studies • Book group • Prayer group • Mentoring/spiritual direction • Social/peer groups (within church) • Activity groups (church sports teams, craft groups, etc.) • Service/mission opportunities • Social justice/peace activism • Conference/Association-sponsored workshops, trainings, or events • Camps • Home/family-based reflection time • Intergenerational programs • Online/internet-based resources (blogs, social media, online studies, etc.) • Other (specify)

4. Question 2 • What do you most desire to learn about? (Choose up to FIVE responses.) • How to practice my faith in everyday life • How to manage struggles and difficult times using tools from my faith • How to better understand the truths of the Bible and directly apply them to my life • Social justice issues and how I can be an agent of witness and transformation in the world • The deep history of the UCC and the stories that have shaped our denominational identity • The practices of other Christian traditions and how they inform my own faith • The practices of other religious traditions and how they inform my own faith • How to better relate with others across cultural and other differences • How to express my faith to my family • Ways of expressing my faith through creative means (art, dance, music, etc.) • Theological and practical knowledge and skills in preparation for lay leadership and ministry • Theological and practical knowledge and skills in preparation for ordained or licensed ministry • Other (specify)

5. Question 3 • What currently prevents you from taking part in formation experiences in your local church (Choose all that apply.) • Nothing—I am able to take part in most formation experiences • Time—I have other competing demands on my time that do not allow me to participate in these activities • Scheduling conflicts—The formation experiences offered at my church conflict with other priorities • Interest—The types of programs offered at my church do not appeal to my interests • Availability—There are no/few formational opportunities at my church • Format—The format of the programs offered at my church do not appeal to me • Inclusivity—The programs offered at my church are not fully inclusive to individuals with my particular identity or background • Teachers—I do not prefer the styles or methods of the teachers/facilitators • Other (specify)

6. Question 4 • What learning formats most appeal to you? (Choose all that apply.) • Discussion groups • Internet/social media • Lectures/seminars • Individual study • Sensory/”hands on” experiences • Retreats • Social/support groups • Workshops/trainings • Other (specify)

7. Question 5 • What single activity/experience/ lesson has had the greatest impact on your faith and why? (Respond to this question online and you might win a prize!)

8. Conclusions • Anything else? THANK YOU!!! 