What Makes Your Spirit SOAR?

An Multisensory Focus Group on Faith Formation

NYE 2012

Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi,

Minister for Christian Faith Formation Research

What Is This About?

Christian Faith Formation

Christian/Religious Education

Discipleship

Spiritual Formation

Christian/Faith Development

Question 1 Which of the following have been most formational for your faith in the last

year? (Choose all that apply.) Worship

Sermons

Bible studies

Choir/hymn singing

Youth Group

Seasonal/topical studies

Book group

Prayer group

Mentoring/spiritual direction

Social/peer groups (within church)

Activity groups (church sports teams, craft groups, etc.)

Service/mission opportunities

Social justice/peace activism

Conference/Association-sponsored workshops, trainings, or events

Camps

Home/family-based reflection time

Intergenerational programs

Online/internet-based resources (blogs, social media, online studies, etc.)

Other (specify)

Question 2 What do you most desire to learn about? (Choose up to FIVE responses.)

How to practice my faith in everyday life

How to manage struggles and difficult times using tools from my faith

How to better understand the truths of the Bible and directly apply them to my life

Social justice issues and how I can be an agent of witness and transformation in the world

The deep history of the UCC and the stories that have shaped our denominational identity

The practices of other Christian traditions and how they inform my own faith

The practices of other religious traditions and how they inform my own faith

How to better relate with others across cultural and other differences

How to express my faith to my family

Ways of expressing my faith through creative means (art, dance, music, etc.)

Theological and practical knowledge and skills in preparation for lay leadership and ministry

Theological and practical knowledge and skills in preparation for ordained or licensed ministry

Other (specify)

Question 3 What currently prevents you from taking part in formation

experiences in your local church (Choose all that apply.) Nothing—I am able to take part in most formation experiences

Time—I have other competing demands on my time that do not allow me to participate in these activities

Scheduling conflicts—The formation experiences offered at my church conflict with other priorities

Interest—The types of programs offered at my church do not appeal to my interests

Availability—There are no/few formational opportunities at my church

Format—The format of the programs offered at my church do not appeal to me

Inclusivity—The programs offered at my church are not fully inclusive to individuals with my particular identity or background

Teachers—I do not prefer the styles or methods of the teachers/facilitators

Other (specify)

Question 4

What learning formats most appeal to you? (Choose all that apply.)

Discussion groups

Internet/social media

Lectures/seminars

Individual study

Sensory/”hands on” experiences

Retreats

Social/support groups

Workshops/trainings

Other (specify)

Question 5

What single activity/experience/ lesson has had the greatest impact on your faith and why? (Respond to this question online and you might win a prize!)

Conclusions

Anything else?

THANK YOU!!!