Faith formation. It's the latest term for Christian Education, but truthfully, it goes way beyond education.....and it happens in every nook and cranny of our congregations, both in the building and out. "Faith formation" sums up our formation as Christians from the first moment the water touched our brows to today. When we started, wet from the font, what did we know about living a Christian life? We didn't know the stories of the faith, so someone taught us. We didn't know how to pray, so we memorized the Lord's Prayer and maybe a table grace. We didn't know how to do acts of sheer kindness and grace so others brought us along and showed us the way.
All along the way our faith was being formed. Faith is living, breathing, and moving. Faith seeks God's hand in the ordinary and recognizes God's hand in the miraculous. Faith learns more, prays regularly, joins with other believers in worship, and shares the table with God's beloved.
Our faith is formed through practice, in the rituals of the church, in conversation with other people of faith and on the front lines of everyday life. Our faith also forms the faith of others.
What a responsibility. What a joy. How are you being formed today? Who are you shaping in the Christian life?
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