Presentations and Workshops
By John Roberto
LifelongFaith Associates
John Roberto is available to give presentations and workshops on the following topics. Contact him at jroberto@lifelongfaith.com for details.
Faith Formation 2020
What will faith formation look like in 2020? We know that the first decade of the 21st century has brought dramatic political, economic, social and cultural changes affecting virtually every dimension of American Catholic life. Catholic faith formation in 2020 will require new principles, models, approaches, and technologies so that faith formation will reach all of the generations in the Catholic community. Faith Formation 2020 presents an inspiring and challenging vision by identifying ten elements of 21st century faith formation and suggesting practical innovations that can shape our efforts to create a vibrant and vital faith formation for all ages and generations in 2020.
Faith as a Way of Life: Formation in Christian Practices
We hunger for a meaningful way of life and how to "live well." We want a faith that makes a difference in our homes, communities, and world. We are looking for ways to deepen our relationship with God by practicing our faith in everyday life. Theologian Miroslav Volf writes, "The central challenge for pastoral ministry today concerns the most important mark of good ministry: the ability effectively to mediate faith as an integral way of life to persons, communities, and cultures." Faith as a Way of Life explores how to address this challenge by developing faith formation that equips people of all ages and generations to develop an integral way of life through Christian practices — the ways by which we live the Christian way of life and deepen our relationship with God, such as forgiving, caring the body, transforming the world, keeping Sabbath, and managing household life. Woven together, Christian practices form a way of life.
Transformational Learning in the Church
Learning is not simply the acquisition of new knowledge or skills. Learning entails change (or conversion) in the life of the learner — a change in understanding, attitude, perception, or behavior. At the heart of discipleship is conversion to Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. The life of the disciple is a process of continuous conversion to the purposes of the God's reign. How can churches provide the type of learning experiences that promote change of mind, heart, and lifestyle? Which learning processes can we use with all ages to encourage learning that transforms lives? What are the key features of educational programs that promote transformational learning? Transformational Learning in the Church explores approaches and practical examples for developing faith formation that is transformational for all ages and generations.
Becoming a Church of Lifelong Learners — Making Lifelong Faith Formation a Reality!
Engaging the whole faith community in lifelong learning is becoming a reality in churches all across the country. Discover models and approaches for creating a lifelong approach to nurturing faith with children, youth, young adults, adults, and families in the faith community. Explore the latest models and approaches for lifelong faith formation, including life-span models, family and intergenerational models, and age-group models. Learn how to develop a lifelong plan for your faith community.
Best Practices in Faith Formation Today
Best Practices in Faith Formation explores the growing body of knowledge on the best practices in faith formation with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults, as well as family and intergenerational faith formation. The workshop presents current best practices research in age-group or family-intergenerational faith formation and then guides participants in discovering how to apply the best practices to faith formation in their communities. The goal of the workshop is to translate the best practices into more vital and engaging faith formation across the entire life span.
Every Church Can Do Intergenerational Learning!
Churches all across the country, of every size and culture, are incorporating intergenerational learning into their faith formation efforts. It is quickly becoming one of the best ways to provide structured catechesis for the whole faith community — with tremendous benefits to individuals, families, and the entire faith community. Explore the key principles and essential features of intergenerational learning, and examples of intergenerational learning designs. Discover a dozen practical ways your church can implement intergenerational learning. Learn how lifelong, intergenerational catechesis can revitalize your faith community!
Nurturing the Faith of Families
Explore why it is so important to develop the faith of families today — at home and through church programs. Discover what works today — effective practices and strategies that enrich the faith and spiritual lives of families. Learn about effective models of faith formation programming, including family learning programs and service programs, and approaches and resources for equipping parents and the whole family to learn, celebrate, and live their faith at home.
The Next Generation Has Arrived and the Church and World Will Never Be the Same!
The next generation of youth and young adults has arrived and they are shaping the future of American religion and society. What is their impact and what will it mean for faith formation, church life, family life, and the broader society? This presentation will provide windows into the changing life worlds of today's teenagers and young adults, their approach to spirituality and faith, and their long-term impact on faith formation and church life. Ten characteristics of the "next generation" will be explored with ideas on how faith formation and church leaders can adapt and respond to the new world of youth and young adults and incorporate their energy, vitality, and wisdom in church life.
Developing a Vital Faith in Youth
What do congregations who nurture a vital faith look like? What are their qualities and practices? A new ecumenical research study answers these questions by identifying nine characteristics of congregations — and their leaders and youth ministries — that promote a vital faith in youth. Learn how to use the framework of Faith Assets™ to create a church culture, dynamic leadership, and youth ministry programming that promotes a vibrant faith in young people today. Discover how all of these aspects of ministry work together to generate a congregational culture that supports vital faith in young people.
Reconnecting Youth with All the Generations in the Congregation
How can we connect young people to the other generations in the faith community? How can we balance the emphasis on age-specific programming with intergenerational programming? Explore the vision and practice of a multi-generational approach to ministry and faith formation with youth that reconnects the generations. Discover new approaches, ideas, and strategies to make this approach a reality in your faith community.
