Intentional Faith Education

by Candace C. Hill
Associate for Christian education and Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching (POINT)

This time of year, many Christian education committees begin or continue the important task of evaluating the overall educational ministry of the church. Elders, pastors and educators review the year’s ministries: church school, adult education, midweek programming, small group
fellowship, mission experiences, spiritual practices and sacramental worship. Leadership recognizes and celebrates the learning and spiritual growth that take place in all aspects of congregational life.

Important questions to ask in evaluating the educational life of the church are: What evidence is there of a deeper faith commitment among our members? Do our ministries support continued personal and corporate spiritual growth? Are we encouraging lifelong learning and faith practice? Do we have a vision for transforming lives? Are we making disciples? The process can be overwhelming, but it is essential to the health of the church.

The Christian education staff of the PC(USA), presbytery staff associates and members of Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching (POINT) often are called to assist congregations in this process and to offer Christian education expertise in a variety of ways. For example,
a POINT volunteer may provide guidance for the evaluation of curriculum and resources. The volunteer would use evaluation tools such as those found on the POINT Web site. Instruments found on this site can help churches select materials for such practical reasons as user friendliness, affordability and age-appropriateness. These evaluation tools also allow churches to select resources for biblical content and Reformed identity.

Some churches enter into a long-term process with the support of presbytery staff or a Christian education consultant. In the process leaders of the congregation and a presbytery associate meet together several times to establish the relationship necessary for in-depth visioning and evaluation. This evaluation task force may study a resource together or explore Web sites that provide useful evaluation tools.

Regardless of the process undertaken, vital congregations take time to set goals for disciple making. They determine outcomes for formational experiences, considering intentional and unintentional settings. They continually ask important questions: What does mature faith look like?
How does our Bible teaching encourage a life of faith? Are we involved in meaning-making with disciples of all ages?

With ongoing evaluations and whole church strategies, your congregation can become a dynamic community, one that intentionally educates for faith.