Frogs without Legs Can’t Hear

1. Frogs without Legs Can’t Hear What are the assumptions we make about how faith formation takes place? Why is “What we always did” not working.

2. deacon Charlie Germain Member: Trinity Lutheran Church Brewster, NY Chair:Child Youth & Family Ministry Committee MNYS

3. Where and How do young people learn about God?

4. Question: Who or what has influenced your life of faith?

6. What are we trying to achieve?

7. Confirmation Promise You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism: to live among Gods faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth? Each person responds: I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

8. Objective: We are not teaching religion. We are called to make Disciples! Matthew 28:19 These are two very different paradigms.

9. Disciples = People of Mature Faith Characteristics of young people with mature faith! • Seeks Spiritual Growth • Possesses a Vital Faith • Practices Faith • Makes the Christian Faith a Way of Life • Lives a Life of Service • Reaches Out to Others • Exercises Moral Responsibility • Speaks Publicly about Faith • Possesses a Positive Spirit

10. •Seeks Spiritual Growth: alone and with others pursues questions, guidance and commitment through conversation, study of faith, reading the bible, prayer, small groups, retreats•Possesses a Vital Faith: keenly aware of God present and active in one’s own life, the lives of others, and the life of the world•Practices Faith: actively practices faith in Jesus Christ privately and publicly through regular attendance at worship, participation in ministry and leadership in a congregation•Makes the Christian Faith a Way of Life: recognizes God’s “call” and integrates one’s beliefs into the conversation, decisions, and actions of daily life•Lives a Life of Service: involved in activities caring for others and addressing injustice and immorality•Reaches Out to Others: reaches out to others who are different or in need through prayer, hospitality, conversation and support •Exercises Moral Responsibility: lives with integrity utilizing faith in making considered moral decisions•Speaks Publicly about Faith: speaks openly about Jesus Christ and God’s participation in one’s own life and the life of the world•Possesses a Positive Spirit: reflects loving and hopeful attitudes toward others and life Young People of Mature Faith:

11. Young People of Mature Faith: How many can you name in your congregation?

12. Research: Exemplar Youth Ministry Study www.exemplarym.org Vibrant FaithMinistries www.youthandfamilyinstitute.org Search Institute www.search-institute.org

13. What factors/assets are important for Faith Development?

14. Establishing Vital Faith in Youth & Young Adults Congregational Assets Youth Ministry Assets Family Involvement Assets Leadership Assets

15. 4 Most Important Factors in a Young Persons Faith Development What Mom Does What Dad Does What Mom Says What Dad Says

16. Family Involvement Assets •Possess Strong Parental Faith: parent(s) possess and practice a vital and informed faith •Promotes Family Faith Practices: parents engage youth and family in conversations, prayer, bible reading, and service that nurture faith and life •Reflects Family Harmony: expressions of respect and love create an atmosphere promoting faith •Equips Parents: offers instruction and guidance that nurture parental faith and equips parents for nurturing faith at home •Fosters Parent-Youth Relationships: offers parent-youth activities that strengthen parent-youth relationships

17. •Possess Strong Parental Faith: parent(s) possess and practice a vital and informed faith • The logistics of the household, such as boundary setting and travel arrangements for the family taxi, help run a household, but do little to transform the character of family members. • Adults, not children, are those who are called upon to give witness to faith in God. Adults are the ones with a memory of an experience with a living God that must be shared.

18. •Possess Strong Parental Faith: parent(s) possess and practice a vital and informed faith The most important factor in developing young people of mature faith is developing adults of mature faith!

19. •Promotes Family Faith Practices: parents engage youth and family in conversations, prayer, bible reading, and service that nurture faith and life Four Keys to Nurturing Faith in the Home and Congregation • Caring Conversations • Devotions • Service • Rituals & Traditions

20. www.faithink.com

22. •Reflects Family Harmony: expressions of respect and love create an atmosphere promoting faith

23. •Reflects Family Harmony: expressions of respect and love create an atmosphere promoting faith • No place is more conducive to honest reflection upon daily life experiences than life as it is lived in the vulnerable space of the home. • Faith is more CAUGHT than taught. • Faith is learned in the daily grind of life.

24. •Reflects Family Harmony: expressions of respect and love create an atmosphere promoting faith Covenant Service: Will you say “I’m sorry,” confess and forgive one another each day, and bless one another before you turn out the lights on the day? Parents: We will confess, forgive, and bless our children each night. Will you say “I’m sorry,” confess and forgive one another each day, and bless one another before you turn out the lights on the day? Students: We will confess, forgive, and bless our parents each night.

25. COVENANT SERVICE Parents and youth gather at the altar Pastor (to the Parents): In Holy Baptism you made a sacred promise to God on behalf of your children, to faithfully bring them to the services of God’s house and teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. You promised that as they grew in years, you would place in their hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith, that living in the covenant of their Baptism and in communion with the Church, they might lead godly lives until the day of Jesus Christ. Today your children, as young men and women, stand with you before the altar recommitting to this pledge. I ask you, therefore, in the presence of the One who gave you the precious gift of children and the responsibility of raising them in the truth: Will you continue in the promise you made to God at your child’s baptism? If so, answer “Yes, by the help of God.” Parents: Yes, by the help of God. Will you make time each day to check in with your child and share the highs and lows of your day, and your experiences of God’s presence? Parents: We will with the help of God. Will you reflect on God’s Word as it relates to your life and share a short time of thought and discussion each day within your family? Parents: We will with the help of God. Will you praise and thank God for the good and invite the Holy Spirit’s power to sustain your child through the lows of the day? Parents: We promise to pray for our children each day. Will you say “I’m sorry,” confess and forgive one another each day, and bless one another before you turn out the lights on the day? Parents: We will confess, forgive, and bless our children each night. (To the Students): Young people of God, there was a day not long ago when your parents presented you to God and spoke on your behalf. There will soon come a day when you will stand here and affirm your baptism faith. I ask you, in the presence of the One who gave you life and the ones who have nurtured it: Will you make time each day to check in with your parents and share the highs and lows of your life and your experiences of God’s presence? Students: We will, with the help of God. Will you reflect on God’s Word as it relates to your life and share a short time of thought and discussion each day within your family? Students: We will, with the help of God. Will you praise and thank God for the good and invite the Holy Spirit’s power to sustain your parents through the lows of the day? Students: We promise to pray for our parents each day. Will you say “I’m sorry,” confess and forgive one another each day, and bless one another before you turn out the lights on the day? Students: We will confess, forgive, and bless our parents each night. Let us pray. May the Father in heaven for Jesus sake stir up and increase in you the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that you may be blessed with strength, wisdom, and courage in the days ahead. May God grant you the power to keep the promises you have made here today and grow to full maturity in Christ. Assembly: Amen

26. •Reflects Family Harmony: expressions of respect and love create an atmosphere promoting faith We understand the powerful forces that keep many families from breaking bread together. But we believe deeply that for most families, the first beachhead in the battle to reclaim family life is their meal rituals. Make your stand here if you can. Be committed and flexible, accept where you are starting from, develop your skills in family conversation, realize that there will be dry times, and have some creative fun along the journey. In this way, you will pass along an important family tradition to your children that will carry on when they have families. William J. Doherty and Barbara Carlson, Life Long Faith Vol2.2, Summer 2008

27. •Equips Parents: offers instruction and guidance that nurture parental faith and equips parents for nurturing faith at home

28. •Equips Parents: offers instruction and guidance that nurture parental faith and equips parents for nurturing faith at home • Congregations have not equipped parents for their role as spiritual leaders. • Luther” “Dear God, what misery I beheld! The ordinary people, especially in the villages, knows absolutely nothing about the Christian faith… As a result they live like cattle or irrational pigs and, despite the fact that the gospel has returned, have mastered the fine art of misusing all their freedom.”

29. Faith Alive in the HomeCome explore together how Faith Alive In The Home is a partnership between congregation and families that can be lived 24//7... Together! Bring the entire family and entire ministry teams! Gather for worship, sessions, workshops, and an ice cream social! Create home altars and faith chests. Feb 25, 2011

30. Faith Alive in the HomeCome explore together how Faith Alive In The Home is a partnership between congregation and families that can be lived 24//7... Together! Bring the entire family and entire ministry teams! Gather for worship, sessions, workshops, and an ice cream social! Create home altars and faith chests. Linda StaatsAssistant to the Bishop for Youth and Household Ministry (1/2 time)

31. •Fosters Parent-Youth Relationships: offers parent-youth activities that strengthen parent-youth relationships

32. •Fosters Parent-Youth Relationships: offers parent-youth activities that strengthen parent-youth relationships • Faith is formed through personal, trusted relationships. • God uses fallible creatures like us to do God’s work in the world. • Luther understood the human experience as the classroom of the Holy Spirit. We all have faith stories to tell. • At least 3 adults outside the home are vital to the development of Christian faith in adolescents.

33. Congregational Assets •Congregational Faith: God’s living presence, centrality of faith, emphasizes prayer, focus on discipleship, emphasize Scripture, and centrality of mission •Congregational Qualities: supports youth ministry, demonstrates hospitality, strives for excellence, encourages thinking, creates community, encourages support groups, promotes worship, fosters ethical responsibility, promotes service, and demonstrates effective practices •Youth Involvement: participate in the congregation and assume ministry leadership

34. Congregational Assets • Common assumption: Effective ministry has to be with the programs and activities of the local congregation. Wrong! • The congregation that is doing meaningful ministry in local communities tend to be those that understand the balance between the ministry of the congregation and the ministry that extends from homes.

35. Youth Ministry Assets •Establishes a caring environment: Youth Ministry provides multiple nurturing relationships and activities resulting in a welcoming atmosphere of respect, growth, and belonging. •Develops quality relationships: Youth ministry develops authentic relationships among youth and adults…creating an atmosphere of presence. •Focus on Jesus Christ: Youth ministry’s mission, practices, and relationships are inspired by Jesus. •Considers life issues: YM addresses full range of young people’s lives. •Uses many approaches: YM employs multiple activities appropriate to the ministry’s mission and context. •Organized well: YM engages participants and leaders in long range planning, implementation, evaluation and innovation in an atmosphere of high expectations.

36. Leadership Assets –The Pastor •Spiritual Influence: The pastor knows and models the transforming presence of God in life and ministry. •Interpersonal Competence: The pastor builds a sense of community and relates well with adults and youth. •Supports Youth Ministry: The pastor understands, guides, and advocates for youth ministry. •Supports Leaders: The pastor affirms and mentors youth and adults leading youth ministry.

37. Resources: Training Events: Festival of Workshops Gathering in the East ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza www.MNYS.org click on Ministries, Child Youth & Family Ministry

38. Books: Frogs Without Legs Can’t Hear David Anderson & Paul Hill From the Great Omission to Vibrant Faith David Anderson For Heaven’s Sake Marilyn Sharp Passing on the Faith Merton Strommen & Richard Hardel The Godbearing Life Kenda Creasy Dean Almost Christian Kenda Creasy Dean

39. Metropolitan New York Synod Child Youth & Family Ministry Committee www.MNYS.org