Faith Formation 2020 National Initiative
Envisioning Dynamic, Engaging and Inspiring Faith Formation for the 21st Century
A Project of LifelongFaith Associates
What will Christian faith formation in churches look like in 2020? Can we begin now to envision the shape of faith formation in the year 2020? Can we prepare our churches for the future of faith formation? The last two decades have seen dramatic political, economic, social, and cultural changes affecting virtually every dimension of American Christianity. The new environment in which Christian faith formation will operate in the decade from 2010-2020 will demand new thinking and new models, practices, resources, and technologies to address the spiritual needs of all generations.
The Faith Formation 2020 National Initiative seeks to address the question "What will Christian faith formation in churches look like in 2020?"and to develop processes, strategies, and resources to help churches plan for the future. A comprehensive and far-reaching effort is now required to envision the future of faith formation and ensure that it is relevant and effective in the 21st century. The first phase of the project, a Working Paper on Faith Formation in 2020, explores the driving forces affecting the future of faith formation 2010-2020 and envisions the future of faith formation through four scenarios that describe what faith formation in 2020 could be like. The second phase of the project is designed to empower and equip pastors, church staffs, and faith formation leaders to envision and plan faith formation for all ages and generations, at home and church through Resources — two new books and online materials in 2010, Training — a national conferences series conducted regional beginning in the summer of 2010, and Networking — an online resource center and innovations exchange.
An Invitation to Participate in the National Consultation
We want you to participate in a national ecumenical consultation process on the first draft of the "Working Paper on Faith Formation in 2020." We are asking leaders from a variety of settings in Christian faith formation — churches, universities and seminaries, church agencies, training and consulting, and publishing. Follow this simple process:
Read the "Overview of the Working Paper on Faith Formation in 2020" online.
Read the PDF file (online) of the summary of the "Thirteen Trends and Forces Influencing the Future of Faith Formation in a Changing Church and World."
Review the PDF file (online) of the "Four Scenarios for the Future of Faith Formation in 2020."
You may want to print a copy of the Four Scenarios document to use as a reference to help you complete the survey instrument.Complete the online survey by following the link from this website to SurveyMonkey.
The survey gives you the opportunity to give your feedback on the four scenarios and their features, and add your own ideas for the future of faith formation.
Faith Formation 2020 Group Consultation Process
We have also designed a consultation meeting process for groups to discuss Version 1.0 of the working paper. The process is described in the "Consultation Meeting" document which you can download in a PDF file. The PowerPoint Presentation includes an outline of the Working Paper and the consultation questions. You will need a facilitator for the process and a recorder. Have the recorder type the group’s responses on a computer or write them on paper. Please send the responses to John Roberto at jroberto@lifelongfaith.com or 40 Brighton Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770.
After the consultation meeting, have the participants go online to complete the Faith Formation 2020 Survey.
Download the Guide and PowerPoint presentation to conduct a group consultation on Version 1.0 of the Working Paper.
