Christian Formation

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation was overwhelmingly adopted at The Episcopal Church’s General Convention in July 2009. The Office of Lifelong Christian Formation at the Episcopal Church Center and The Standing Commission for Lifelong Christian Education and Formation will continue to gather educators together and develop strategies for living out this groundbreaking document in the months and years to come. (Download The Episcopal Church's pdf file of the Charter HERE)

The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation

Lifelong Christian Faith Formation in The Episcopal Church is lifelong growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ and is informed by Scripture, Tradition and Reason.

I have called you friends… John 15:14-16
Through The Episcopal Church, God invites all people:

To enter into a prayerful life of worship, continuous learning, intentional outreach, advocacy and service.
To hear the Word of God through scripture, to honor church teachings, and continually to embrace the joy of Baptism and Eucharist, spreading the Good News of the risen Christ and ministering to all.
To respond to the needs of our constantly changing communities, as Jesus calls us, in ways that reflect our diversity and cultures as we seek, wonder and discover together.
To hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people, placing ourselves in the stories of our faith, thereby empowering us to proclaim the Gospel message.

…You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit... John 15:14-16
Through The Episcopal Church, God inspires all people:

To experience Anglican liturgy, which draws us closer to God, helps us discern God’s will and encourages us to share our faith journeys.
To study Scripture, mindful of the context of our societies and cultures, calling us to seek truth anew while remaining fully present in the community of faith.
To develop new learning experiences, equipping disciples for life in a world of secular challenges and carefully listening for the words of modern sages who embody the teachings of Christ.
To prepare for a sustainable future by calling the community to become guardians of God’s creation.

...I am giving you these commands that you may love one another. John 15:17
Through The Episcopal Church, God transforms all people:

By doing the work Jesus Christ calls us to do, living into the reality that we are all created in the image of God and carrying out God’s work of reconciliation, love, forgiveness, healing, justice and peace.
By striving to be a loving and witnessing community, which faithfully confronts the tensions in the church and the world as we struggle to live God’s will.
By seeking out diverse and expansive ways to empower prophetic action, evangelism, advocacy and collaboration in our contemporary global context.
By holding all accountable to lift every voice in order to reconcile oppressed and oppressor to the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY WITH CHRIST, IN CHRIST, AND TO CHRIST.
Developed by the Standing Commission on Lifelong Christian Formation and Education in conjunction with the Proclaiming Education for ALL Taskforce, Christian Educators throughout The Episcopal Church, and the Office of Adult Faith Formation for The Episcopal Church.

Resources:

“Faith Confirmed: Preparing for Confirmation” - This is a 19-week study for all confirmation age youth/adults in a congregations. It does not require a formal theological education to work through the questions at the end of each short chapter. The questions and conversation are the important elements. Click HERE to go to the Forward Movement website to view. Reminder: Click HERE for the “Minimum Requirements for Youth” (January 1, 2020) -- Ages 13 to 18 (grades 7 to 12)