Faith Formation as an Ecology of Faith

In this post-modern age,  faith- claiming people under fifty generally tell stories when asked about their faith forming experiences.  Believers over 50 will talk about Bible study times, Confirmation classes, and learning the creeds and Lord's Prayer as formative faith milestones. The younger set may recount some gleanings from the wisdom keepers in their families but add retreats, mission trips, Bible study groups and community events. It is often the stories about helping with VBS, singing at the nursing home with the Youth Group, or participating in a Children's Christmas worship service that are highlighted as pivotal experiences.  These events within a faith community became the place that teaching, guiding, worship and serving were mentored.

Researcher Catherine Albanese writes in America Religion and Religions that we are shaped by creeds-which explain the meaning of life and by codes- the rules that govern behavior and all the unwritten laws. Then there are cultises- the rituals that act out understandings of creeds and codes, and communities that unite people who share a common identity. This system has been the well working model for formation when social norms and civic practices backed up this church-centric model. We are pretty aware this no longer is the case. This ecology of faith- the constellation of communal elements that converge to shape one's religious beliefs, attitudes and practices is broken.

The challenge is that our churches, parochial schools and faith communities are still operating as if the 1950 model is intact and operating. Though we live in a post- denominational, post-congregational context, we make decisions as if the tried and true was still working and creating new believers waiting to be discipled. 

Faith formation is intrinsically personal and also really cannot be meted out with cookie-cutter precision. The basic understanding is that it is also Holy Spirit led and designed. That is pretty hard to tame and bottle. So how do we move into the future for faith formation? We need insightful leaders that are able to use an ecology of faith to assess the faith formation framework and make adjustments, seek out their own blindspots in their planning and scope of relationships. A beginning question might just be- Do we really do what we say we do for faith formation? And in this mix will be a clearer understanding that a large piece of the puzzle for faith formation shaping is the expectation that "stories" will be an integral part of how this generation evolves as mature Christians.  They will need to be the story sharers and the story makers. Knowing our faith stories so we can tell our faith stories may well serve to be a part of the paradigm shift that makes sure there is a healthy ecology of faith for our grandchildren. 

Still chewing on the writings of Julie Lytle- in Faith Formation 4.0

 and credit her work for much of this processing.

Blessings,

   Connie