forming, informing, transforming faith

Growing Disciples

Helping churches form lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ

You are here: Home / Archives for Discipleship / Practices of Faith

Reimagining Faith Formation with John Roberto

by Leave a Comment

JohnRoberto copyJohn Roberto will be in Sydney 23-28 August for two events about Reimagining Faith Formation for the 21st Century. John is well-known internationally as a speaker, forward-thinker and author in faith formation, intergenerational ministry, and learning in a digital world.

s367893527923335808_p17_i1_w214John is the director of Lifelong Faith Associates (Connecticut, USA), author of several books including Reimagining Faith Formation for the 21st Century and is editor of Lifelong Faith Journal. His previous work on a Comprehensive Approach to ministry and mission with children, youth and families has been significant for churches in Australia as well as the USA.

These events are open to people from all Christian churches and schools and will be or particular interest to clergy, children and youth workers/ministers, school chaplains, and leaders in faith formation and educational ministries. The events are co-sponsored by the Uniting Church Assembly and the NSW-ACT Synod.

Venue: Uniting Church Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta

You’re invited to two events. You can attend either or both.

23-25 August – Learning Intensive: Engaging All Ages and Generations

A three day event with a focus on

  • How formation and education are changing in today’s mission context?
  • Promising approaches to faith formation
  • Thinking beyond the gathered congregation
  • Learning within and across generations

An intensive teaching event with John Roberto

  • Tues 23rd 2.00pm-9.00pm
  • Wed 24th 9.30am-5.00pm
  • Thu 25th 9.30am-5.00pm

26-28 August – National Conference: Formation and Mission in a Digital World

A three day event with John Roberto as keynote speaker, plus electives, a multimedia expo, panel discussion, interest group conversations, resource displays, and a short film festival.

  • Fri 26th 2.00pm-9.00pm
  • Sat 27th 9.30am-9.00pm
  • Sun 28th 1.00pm-4.00pm

Sunday 28th offers a morning option of visiting a church using multimedia in worship or education.

  • The impact of digital technology in a social world
  • Blended faith formation in a digital world
  • Curating learning experiences
  • Resources and tools for faith formation
  • Social Justice and Social Media
  • Developing engaging websites
  • Marketing Your Ministry: Developing Practices for Effective Evangelism
  • and more

Roberto-flyerProgram, cost and registration information will be available from the early May at reimaginefaith2016.com

Download a flyer – here

SaveSave

A Sea Change for Elderly Churches

by Leave a Comment

2821957I’ve just had an article published in John Roberto’s “Lifelong Faith” journal in the US. The article is based on my visit to Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale Uniting Churches in Victoria and the interview that I conducted with their ministers Revs Kerrie Lingham and Charles Gallacher. The journal is free and comes out 3 times a year. There are a few years worth of editions available to download for free and a wide range of topics covered.

Click here to download the current issue with my article in it. (Direct link to PDF).

Presbytery Ministers Workshop

by Leave a Comment

pres-ministers

Last week I led a session for about 20 presbytery ministers from across the country about formation, education and discipleship, based on the research that I undertook for the UCA National Assembly in 2011-2012. It was the afternoon “graveyard shift” in a warm room, and they seemed on input-overload when they arrived, but all in all it seemed to go well. Hopefully it opened up some ongoing conversations about a range of matters.

Here’s a rundown on the session.

1. Training Fleas Video

2. Introducing the National CE study

How do we help faith communities to be effective 
in forming and educating people for discipleship and mission?Continue Reading

“Practicing our Faith” Videos

by Leave a Comment

A series of videos on practices of discipleship has been produced by the “Practicing Our Faith” project of Valparasio University in the USA. The series covers topics such as:

  • Discerning God’s Call
  • Living as Community
  • Making a Good Living
  • Honouring the Body
  • Care for Creation and more.

The videos can be viewed here. They are also viewable on YouTube. Each is accompanied by a downloadable study guide. As well as viewing them online, you can also purchase a DVD here.

SaveSave