Nearly 20 years ago when I became the Director of Formation for Children and Families at Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park, my husband said to me, “Congratulations! Just don’t tell anyone that you’re not that good with little kids and you hate crafts!”
He was kidding (sort of). At any rate, while I like to think that I’ve gotten a lot better with little kids, I’m still all thumbs when it comes to crafts. For many of us, the words “Christian formation” are just another way to say “Sunday school,” and our associations with Sunday school are likely to be coloring sheets, Bible songs, and popsicle-stick art.
Christian formation, though, is about a lot more than learning the words to “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” or getting a perfect-attendance badge. Christian formation is a lifelong process, occurring in community, that shapes you into the person God created you to be. That’s my working definition, anyway. The Episcopal Church defines formation as “lifelong growth in the knowledge, service, and love of God as followers of Christ…informed by Scripture, Tradition, and Reason.” I like that, too! Either way, you’ll notice that understanding this as a lifelong process is key. Intentional Christian formation does not have an expiration or graduation date. It also goes well beyond mere learning or education—it doesn’t just happen in a classroom.
When it comes to children and youth, we all have a special responsibility to think about how everything that we do at church can have either a positive or a negative impact on the children and youth who worship here and are full members of our congregation. If you’ve ever been present for a Baptism, you have been asked the question, “Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?” And your answer, and the answer of the congregation was, “We will!” Sometimes that support will look like teaching Godly Play or stepping up to be a TYGMOS (This Youth Group Meets on Sundays) leader. Other times it will mean smiling at a child who is having a rough day, showing genuine interest in the young people in our community, or even fighting against climate change, which is the number one priority and concern for so many youth today.
Elsewhere on this website you will find copies of two documents that have been produced and ratified by the Episcopal Church: The Children’s Charter for the Church (here) and the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation (here). I hope you will take some time to read these over and consider how we at St. Martin’s are living into the spirit of lifelong formation. Formation will be the topic of at least one parish conversation in future. In the meantime, if you have ideas or questions, or want to know how to be more involved in formation opportunities here, there are now several places to turn. Abbey Gratzer-Owens coordinates Godly Play, Robert Lynch coordinates TYGMOS, Helen Campbell is the Chair for Christian Formation for the Ministry Council, and of course Alex Leach is our new curate with responsibility for supporting formation programs for children and youth.
It is a great joy to spend time with our youth and children. As one of my mentors always used to say, “They are not the future of the church. They are the church.” Let’s continue to find new and meaningful ways to be church together.
Blessings,
Pamela+