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Christian Education and Formation
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One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
Psalm 145:4 NRSV
The power of story in a world of chaos marked by rapid change creates within believers an ability to see and shape a better future. Because we are the church, we are called to transmit the faith to all generations, to pass on the story.
The purpose of Christian education and formation is that through Christian education, we invite people and communities to be transformed as they are inspired and challenged to know and experience God through Jesus Christ, claim and live God's promises, grow and serve as Christian disciples. [Foundations, p.5]
It takes the whole congregation working together to develop a system for making disciples who are being grounded in scripture and the practice of spiritual disciplines. A systemic approach will look different in each congregation, yet, when we are truly connected with and through Christ, we are building relationships, learning, serving and sharing our faith. Teaching, learning, and experiencing through lenses that help us focus on what it means to be making disciples is our ministry of Christian education and formation.
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Christian Education and Formation - A Life Long Process
For United Methodists, the Christian life is a process of being transformed by God's grace into the likeness of God's Son, Jesus. Christ. Christian discipleship is at the heart of this lifelong process of transformation. There are a number of different small group settings in which Christian education and formation occurs. Regardless of the setting, these groups share the same common purpose mentioned above.
John Wesley organized classes to help Christians maintain the discipline necessary for following Jesus Christ. Class members met regularly to "watch over one another in love." They were accountable to one another for their discipleship. The classes used the General Rule of Discipleship to guide their practice. Today we state this rule as: "To witness to Jesus Christ in the world and follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship ,and devotion, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit."
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Ways and Means of Grace-Filled Learning
Every class and small group should recognize that its purpose is to support the formation of Christian faith and discipleship in its participants. This purpose sets the church apart from other community organizations and activities. Discerning, deciding, defining and describing your congregation's mission of Christian education is one of the most important tasks your leadership will ever accomplish. Asking the questions below will help get you there, and the SWTX Conference Christian Education and Formation Team offers you the assistance you may need through a diverse talent bank of gifted specialists in Christian education.
- How do you proclaim the gospel: seeking, welcoming, and gathering all who will come into the body of Christ?
- How do you lead persons to commit their lives to God through baptism and profession of faith in Jesus Christ?
- How do you nurture persons into Christian living through the spiritual disciplines?
- How do you send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the Gospel?
- How are you continuing your mission of seeking, welcoming, and gathering persons into Christ-centered community?
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Christian Education and Formation Team SWTC
The work of the Christian Education and Formation Team of the SWTC Board of Discipleship has recently met important objectives:
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Bringing to fruition the
Education Beyond the Walls project
Sponsoring the
"Christian Educator of The Year" Award
annually at Annual Conference
Responding to the needs of local churches
with regard to the mission and vision
of the SWTX Conference
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Continuing to support the
Parish Christian Educator School
Continually updating the
Directory of Christian Education Specialists
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Members of the Christian Education and Formation Team may be contacted with your questions.
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