In the fall of 2025, my role transitioned from Pastor of Family Ministry—a position I have served in for many years—to Pastor of Faith Formation. As I prepare to return from sabbatical and step fully into this new role, it is important to begin with a clear framework and strategic direction. It’s all feet in!

What is Faith Formation? The first step is establishing a shared understanding of what we mean by faith formation. So here is it is: Faith formation is the intentional and ongoing process through which individuals deepen their relationship with God, grow in their understanding of their religious tradition, and integrate its beliefs and practices into daily life. This process is nurtured within a supportive community that encourages spiritual growth across all stages of life.

A Faith Formation Design: This definition emphasizes four key elements often included in practical, ministry-oriented contexts 

1. Lifelong Process: Faith formation is continuous, extending across the entire lifespan rather than occurring as a one-time experience.
2. Community-Centered: Spiritual growth is cultivated most fully in relationship with others, within a community of shared faith.
3. Intentional Practice: Faith formation does not happen by accident; it requires purposeful engagement, guidance, and a strong sense of belonging.
4. Holistic Development: It encompasses not only beliefs, but also spiritual practices, moral development, and the shaping of personal and communal identity.

Faith Formation in Practice: A Ministry Vision – Faith formation is not a single program or moment, but a way of shaping the life of a community. It unfolds through intentional experiences that help people grow in their relationship with God, one another, and the world. The following areas describe how this vision takes tangible form in our ministry.

Look it’s a chart for a 3 year approach:

What	Deeper Meaning	What that Might Look Like
Ongoing Process	“Ongoing process” means that faith formation unfolds gradually over a lifetime, shaped by changing experiences, questions, and seasons of growth. It involves continual learning, reflection, practice, and conversion, recognizing that faith deepens through repeated engagement rather than a single moment or milestone. Goal: People grow deeper in faith by learning God’s story	Faith as Ongoing Process: To support this, we will create structured opportunities for ongoing learning. One key expression of this is Wednesday Night University, a seasonal rhythm of Bible study offered throughout the year. These sessions will run in six-week cycles in the fall, five weeks during Epiphany, and four weeks in the Easter season. Each session will be led by a pastor, with a lay host providing hospitality and connection. The content will remain flexible, allowing it to respond to both the pastor’s leadership and the needs of the community. Through this model, participants are invited into a steady and meaningful engagement with scripture and faith.
Community Support	“Community support” means that faith is nurtured through shared relationships, practices, and witness. Learning, prayer, service, and accountability within a community provide encouragement, modeling, and belonging, helping individuals grow, persevere, and interpret their faith in dialogue with others rather than in isolation. Goal: People grow deeper into the community by supporting one another.	Faith Through Community Support: To cultivate this, we will reorganize our ministry around worship teams. Beginning this summer, teams will serve together one month at a time, fostering deeper relationships and shared responsibility. Each team will include greeters, ushers, and communion assistants, and will intentionally draw from a wide range of participants—including confirmation students, ECHO families, new members, and others seeking connection. Two leaders will oversee the twelve teams, ensuring coordination and care. Certain roles, such as readers and communion assistants, will continue to be supported by designated lay leadership. This model creates smaller communities within the larger church, where relationships can grow and participation becomes more meaningful.
Intentionality	“Intentionality” means creating purposeful practices and spaces that actively invite people into belonging. Through thoughtful planning, welcoming relationships, and guided participation, faith formation ensures individuals are seen, valued, and connected, fostering growth within a community rather than leaving inclusion or spiritual development to chance. Goal: People grow deeper and intentional  in their relationships with others, in the church, and in the community.	Faith Through Intentional Connection: We will create multiple pathways for connection, both within the church and in the wider community. Opportunities such as Dinner Church, Lenten mentoring relationships, and Summer Prayer Partners will foster deeper personal connections. New initiatives like Tables of Eight and Mystery Dinners will create relaxed, relational environments where people can build community in authentic ways.Beyond the congregation, we will engage the broader community through forums and guest speaker series, offering three events in the fall and three in the spring. These gatherings will provide opportunities for learning, dialogue, and outreach, helping bridge the gap between faith and everyday life.
Holistic Growth	“Holistic growth” means that faith formation attends to the whole person, shaping beliefs, spiritual practices, moral decision-making, and personal identity. It includes learning and interpreting one’s own life story in light of God’s story, integrating experiences, relationships, and values into a lived, meaningful faith. Goal: People grow deeper into God’s story as our story, and a willingness to share it.	Faith as Holistic Growth: One of the primary ways we will foster this is through storytelling. Participants will be invited to join small cohorts of five to six people, where they will learn how to reflect on, articulate, and share their personal faith stories. These groups will provide a safe and supportive environment for practice and growth.As participants grow in confidence, they will be invited to share their stories more publicly. This may include contributing to an online storytelling directory or participating in a future podcast. In doing so, individuals not only deepen their own faith, but also help build a culture where God’s story is actively shared and lived within the community.

Bringing It All Together: These four movements—ongoing process, community support, intentional connection, and holistic growth—work together to form a cohesive approach to faith formation. Each area reinforces the others, creating a dynamic and interconnected system where individuals are continually invited to grow deeper in faith, relationship, and purpose.

Share your thoughts in the comments?