In this statement, the bishops present a pastoral plan to help Catholics advance in their role as disciples, by awakening a renewal in the ministry of adult faith formation and helping all to grow to the full maturity of Christ.
An updated edition of the classic introduction to the history and beliefs of Unitarian Universalism—from a senior minister of the Unitarian Church For those contemplating religious choices, Unitarian Universalism offers an appealing alternative to religious denominations that stress theological creeds over individual conviction and belief. Featuring two new chapters, a revealing and entertaining foreword by best-selling author Robert Fulghum, and a new preface by UU moderator Denise Davidoff, this updated edition of the classic introductory text on Unitarian Universalism explores the many sources of the living tradition of this ‘chosen faith’.
Increasingly, adults do not see the church as a credible provider of quality religious education. This revision by R. Michael Harton of the classic work by Leon McKenzie addresses the foundational issues of what constitutes such an education for adults and how ministers and teachers can determine and understand the needs of learners. It also offers ways to involve learners in the planning and execution of their own religious education. A must-read for ministers and seminarians who care about the religious education of adults. Leon McKenzie is a retired professor of adult education at Indiana University, where he also served as Director of Human Resource Development for Indiana University Hospital. He received his Ed.D. in adult education from IU. and has authored several books, including Adult Education and the Burden of the Future and Adult Education and World View Construction. He lives in Indianapolis. R. Michael Harton has authored several articles on local church adult education, and contributed to A Church's Ministry to Adults and Handbook on Adult Religious Education. A former congregational educator and seminary professor, he now serves the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond, Virginia, and teaches adjunctively at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He received his Ed.D. in adult education and instructional systems technology from Indiana University.
Some of the most important people in faith formation are often overlooked: adults. But how can parishes engage people living in a postmodern world-people who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious," who may be suspicious of large institutions, and whose experiences and world-views are as diverse as our parishes themselves? Nationally recognized educator Jane Regan explores what important church documents say about evangelization and catechesis, and how they play a crucial role in thriving adult faith communities. Then she offers practical ways parishes of all sizes and personalities can help people become true disciples. With reflection and discussion questions throughout, Forming a Community of Faith is essential for Pastors, DREs, RCIA teams, education advisory boards, parish councils, committee chairpersons and anyone who wishes to discover and nurture a dynamic, mature, and fruitful faith. Book jacket.
First exclusively Episcopal prayer book for youth This prayer book designed for teens draws from the Book of Common Prayer, relevant prayers written by well known Episcopalians, and ancient prayers rooted in the Bible. New and original prayers are also offered, written by contemporary church leaders in the Episcopal Church, as well as by teens themselves, young adults and youth leaders. The book is structured in four parts: Daily Prayer. Including morning prayer, table blessings, and night time. Prayers for the Seasons of the Church Year. Blessing of a Christmas tree, prayer for Christ in my life for Easter, prayer for courage to share my faith, and more. Prayers for Daily Life. Before a special school event, before a sports event, before a test, being left out, bullying, dating, divorce, doubts, forgiveness, friendship, gratitude, grief, guidance, hope, motivation, peer pressure, pets, purpose, and more. Prayers for Important Events. Significant birthday, earning a driver’s license, Confirmation, beginning the school year, starting high school, applying for college, graduating high school, going to college, joining the workforce.
Exploring Spirituality and Culture in Adult and Higher Education is written from the unique perspective of teacher, researcher, and author Elizabeth Tisdell who has extensive experience dealing with culture, gender, and educational equity issues in secular adult and higher education classrooms, and formerly in pastoral and religious education settings on college campuses. This important book discusses how spiritual development is informed by culture and how this knowledge is relevant to teaching and learning. For educators, an understanding of how spirituality is informed by culture, and how spirituality assists in meaning-making, can aid in their efforts to help their students' educational experiences become more transformative and culturally relevant.
Through research and "faith-life" stories, readers are encouraged to view growing in faith as a life-long process. Addresses key questions in an adult's faith life such as doubt, stages of growth, and more.
Online learning is a key feature of the contemporary educational landscape and has entered mainstream policy, provision and practice. But if online education is to reach mature development and evaluation, it must be open to critical appraisal. This book considers the implementation of online learning within adult theological education. This can be an area of challenge or contention, especially when established academic practices and cherished values are seen as threatened when handed over to online delivery. This opens questions about theology, pedagogy and online education. Does online teaching and learning bring or demand a new or transformed (disruptive) pedagogy or does it result in maintenance or replication (sustaining) of traditional values and existing practices? What might the opportunities and benefits be? Who stands to gain? Who stands to lose? And what evidence is there to evaluate the quality of ‘doing theology’ online? This book examines a long-standing programme of continuing professional development delivered fully online to adult practitioners working across Christian education and ministry settings. It builds upon the author’s international experience as an online educator for over a decade. Key themes relate adult learning to theological pedagogy, authority, and online community. The concept of interruptive pedagogy is presented as an interpretative model to critically appraise an approach to online education that draws on the best theological tradition yet also looks to the future.
This book discusses the relationship between faith, formation and education. Rooted in a variety of discourses, the book offers original insights into the education and formation of the human person, both theoretical and practical. Issues are considered within a context of contemporary tensions generated by an increasingly pluralist society with antipathy to religious faith, and debated from interdenominational Christian perspectives. Including chapters by an international team of experts, the volume demonstrates how Christian faith holds significance for educational practice and human development. It argues against the common assumption that there can be a neutral approach to education, whilst at the same time advocating a critical dimension to faith education. It brings fresh thinking about faith and formation, which demands attention given the fast-changing political, educational and socio-cultural forces of today. It will appeal to students and researchers involved in Christian educational practice.