Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

It was a week of snow, ice, wind, and rain. Numerous flight cancellations and airport closures laid havoc across the country. Add to this job layoffs, pay cuts, and budget struggles. Not to mention planning for Lent and preparing a Sunday sermon. But nothing could deter 160+ Episcopal educators and faith formation leaders from gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina in the middle of February.

Individuals from a variety of Christian formation networks (from all nine provinces and Canada) came together for Tapestry, the annual conference of the National Association for Christian Education Directors (NAECED). Even before this 3-day event began, representatives from a number of networks gathered to meet one another and vision how collaboration can continue to grow and weave together the variety of ministries in The Episcopal Church that serve the mission of the church via Christian formation:

• Episcopal Council for Lifelong Christian Formation (formerly ECCE – Episcopal Council for Christian Education)
• Provincial Youth Ministry network
• Individuals representing the Young Adult and Campus Ministry networks
• Leadership from Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers (ECCC) 
• The NAECED Board of Directors
• Leadership of the National Organization of Episcopal Resource Centers (NOERC)

Keynoter Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook of Claremont School of Theology, set the stage as to why we were gathered and what threads hold us together. She told the stories of three “saints” who have gone before us: Adelaide Teague Case, Verna Dozier, and Marianne Mix. How these three women lived out their vocation remains the same for today. Christian formation leaders continue to be called to be a witness in our church.

Christian formation is based on our telling stories. It is rooted in our belief in the power of scripture. Our call is to make the biblical story accessible to all God’s children, young and old alike. In order for our faith to be passed on to future generations we need an educated church. How are we lifting up the ministry of Christian formation and education in our congregations today?

A theme that was woven throughout these gatherings (and I would propose in our churches on a daily basis) is the need to connect our lives with our baptism and ministry. Workshops filled to overflowing focused on daily life ministry, empowering youth, working with older adults, Biblical family values, younger adults, and mission. Formation leaders help us discern how to inhabit who we are through our worship and action in the world. God calls us to feel and think. Each of us need to be challenged to think critically - the newcomer, the child, the teen, and the person who has been a member since birth. Congregations who embrace a model of lifelong Christian formation and provide opportunities for all ages to share their faith story will create communities of vitality and hope.

In her address, outgoing NAECED President Debbi Rodahaffer of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY shared how difficult 2010 had been for many called to the ministry of Christian formation: job loss, less pay with more hours, less financial resources with which to work with. But a resiliency and persistence to continue to reflect upon the issues and importance of education in our church continues to be raised by NAECED, the largest professional organization within The Episcopal Church. A sold-out conference was proof that there is a hunger for professional support, networking, continuing education, rest, and refreshment with colleagues.

Newly elected NAECED president, Lisa Flores (Church of the Holy Communion, Memphis, TN) reflected on the conference theme from Ephesians 4 – equipping the saints for ministry. Despite challenging travel and creative budgeting that so many educators faced in coming to Charlotte, each participate was renewed by collegiality, new ideas, spiritual food alongside some good southern cooking, and a sense of call to continue lifting up the vision of lifelong learning in our church.

Kujawa-Holbrook encouraged church leaders look to the past to make a difference in the future. A Christian educator is one who carries the love of Christ in our lives so that those around us can follow suit.

How will we prepare the next generation to share the Gospel?

What responsibility do we have in sharing lessons of the past?

What is our legacy to future generations?

How is your congregation engaged in lifelong Christian formation?