Deepening shared faith, worship and mission

Theology Worship and Education Ministries is more than a bureaucratic convenience. It is a collaborative ministry of the whole church that seeks to serve congregations (and a denomination) in the deepening of shared faith, worship, and mission.

One of the ways Theology Worship and Education Ministries seeks to deepen the shared faith, worship and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is to publish We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People. By Presbyterians, for Presbyterians, We Believe is our denominational curriculum. 2008-2009 marks the sixth year of its publication.

To celebrate this milestone and in anticipation of ongoing service to our denomination, Theology Worship and Education partnered with the office of Research Services and spent much of 2007 asking Presbyterians about We Believe. Through telephone focus groups, online surveys and surveys mailed to respondents, we heard what Presbyterians value and what they would like to see strengthened about We Believe.

We heard that We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People provides trustworthy and excellent Bible Study and theological instruction in our faith. We heard that leaders want excellent curriculum for toddlers and preschoolers. We heard that leaders want more activities in each session so that they can choose what works best for their students. We heard that Presbyterians want Presbyterian curriculum.

Information gathered through this research is informing our redevelopment of We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People. Look for an even stronger We Believe for Fall 2009.