Saint Benedict Episcopal Church

Those of us over the age of 50, or perhaps 40 or 30, grew up with the terms: religious education, Sunday School and/or adult education classes. You might have wondered or asked “What is ’faith formation’? What happened to ’religious education’ either as a term or even the emphasis and format.

Well, you are not alone. Even I, who have been using an experimental approach with adults, needed to learn what this new language was all about. When Georgi arrived at St. Benedict’s she brought with her a new focus for learning and a new language. I asked her what she meant by the term ‘faith formation’ and how it was different from education. And in response, I learned there is even a name for the approach I have been using for years—an approach that hopefully opens the doors and hearts to growing in faith.

Georgi shared the following with me about instruction, education and formation and I pass it on to you.

Instruction imparts directions in a straightforward method without explanations. The teacher gives information; the learner memorizes (or not) what is imparted without questioning and often without much interactive participation. The image of a teacher as a lecturer facing rows of silent students comes to mind. And a test with only one acceptable, correct answer per question might be expected at the end of the lesson or course.

Georgi’s words: Education allows for a more critical process to take place and allows for questions, but is essentially a thought/thinking process—a head process that answers the who, how, what, where and sometimes why. It takes into account historical information to reflect on how the information received has an affect on them.

Formation encourages reflection on life and faith experiences and may use experimental and multi-sensory activities and interactions in the format. When I first bring out boxes of crayons the response is often, “but I can’t draw”. I respond, “this is not an art class and there are no grades”. I know that right brain symbolism can open up spiritual connections and bring forth left-brain words in the sharing of crayon-coloring results with others. I treasure this response from years ago, “If I had known that we were encouraged to color as adults in the Episcopal Church, I would have joined years ago.” Did this man really know that I heard him say, “Gee, I am allowed and even encouraged to express my thoughts and feeling here and they will be respected and I will be as well”?

Once when class participants were given instruction to represent on a piece of paper in words and/or images their creedal belief, an older woman said, “I’ve never been asked what I believe. The church has always told me what to believe.” My response was, “Now you have the opportunity” and her sharing with the group was from the heart and wonderful.

And I remember a very sad recounting as well. A woman told me that as a teenager after several years of confirmation preparation classes she failed to get the required 93% or better grade on the final exam and could not be confirmed. I believe that God is more concerned about what is in our heart than brain. Thank God, this woman was still a church participant and able to have faith in her heart after her teen experience.

There is a place in learning for accurate, factual information; this is important. But for that information to really become important to the individual it needs to be internalized and be meaningful on a personal level—this is formation, where connections are made. For Christians this is where The Story becomes My Story and My Story relates to The Story. Formation is the arena where life changing and life giving learning happens.

To quote myself, “No one ever lectured into faith.” I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings about this ‘new’ thing called: faith formation.by: Martha Liska