EMBRACE FAITH NCCL 2012 Faith Formation in the

EMBRACE FAITH NCCL 2012 Faith Formation in the st 21 Century

AMERICA’S RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE

GENERATIONAL CHANGE

GENERATIONAL CHANGE 1. Increasing number of “Nones” – no religious affiliation 2. Increasing number of “Spiritual but not Religious” 3. Embracing diversity – cultural, ethnic, sexual 4. Changing families: growing diversity in family structures; marrying later and having children later; not marrying and having children 5. Declining participation in Sunday worship and sacraments (marriage, baptism) 6. Declining levels of family faith practice & socialization

GENERATIONAL CHANGE Significant Generational Change began in the early 1990 s among the younger generations and is influencing society and the older generations. These trends are having a significant impact on a Life Cycle approach to faith formation and church life, in general.

DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH COMMUNITY Ø Ø Ø Generational Developmental Ethnic & Cultural Family Structures Faith Practice & Community Engagement Ø Religious & Spiritual Needs

DEVELOPMENTAL & GENERATIONAL DIVERSITY Developmental Children Adolescents Emerging Adults Young Adults Mid-Life Adults Mature Adults Older Adults Generational 1. i. Generation 2. Millennials 3. Generation X 4. Baby Boomers 5. Builders

DIVERSITY IN FAITH PRACTICE & RELIGIOSITY Not Religiously Affiliated Spiritual but Not Religious Minimal Engagement with Faith and Community Vibrant Faith & Active Engagement

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME. . NEW TECHNOLOGIES EMERGE

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME. . ADOPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES INCREASE IN HOME BROADBAND Home broadband 80% 66% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% June 2000 April March March April 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 April 2009 May 2010 May August Jan 2011 2012

INCREASE IN INTERNET USERS – 80%

INCREASE IN SOCIAL NETWORKING – 52% OF ADULTS 100% % of internet users 85% 86% 80% 83% 71% 70% 76% 67% 61% 60% 52% 48% 49% 47% 40% 25% 20% 9% 7% 6% 0% 2005 8% 2006 4% 1% 2007 18 -29 30 -49 35% 33% 11% 7% 2008 26% 25% 51% 2009 50 -64 2010 65+ 2011 2012

INCREASE IN SMARTPHONES – 46%

INCREASE IN TABLETS 67 million i. Pads sold since 2010 when it was introduced. Prediction: 665 million tablets by 2016 2012: 120 million tablets – a 100% increase over 2011.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME. . NEW DIGITAL RESOURCES

FASCINATING CONVERGENCE New Technologies Growing Diversity New Resources 21 st Century Faith Formation

It’s not a message problem! It’s not a people problem! It’s not a technology problem! It’s not a resource problem! It’s a delivery system problem – the models we are using were created in a different era! How do we provide 21 st century faith formation?

Faith Formation in the Age of Networks

We are moving from the limitations of faith formation in a schooling, linear, textbook model with children and teens. . . Grades 1 -5 Grade 6 -8 High School Confirmation ? ? ?

TO A NETWORK MODEL LIFELONG & LIFEWIDE Instead of being the center of faith formation experiences, programs, classes, and books now become nodes on a much broader faith formation network that is lifelong and lifewide. The shift to networks will be transformative in how we imagine and organize faith formation for all ages and generations.

BIBLE STUDY @ CHURCH BOOKS AUDIO VIDEO ONLINE COURSE Learn the Bible EDUCATIONA L PROGRAM - course - conference ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER ONLINE COMMUNITY - experts - learners

A NETWORK MODEL OF FAITH FORMATION We are moving from. . . One Size Fits All Curriculum & Programming to A Network of Personalized & Customized Faith Formation Activities & Resources focusing on addressing people’s spiritual and religious diversity by offering a wide variety of religious content and experiences Providing Differentiated Faith Formation

A NETWORK MODEL OF FAITH FORMATION We now have the models, resources, and technologies to. . . Ø Expand faith formation to address the diversity of people today – life tasks and issues, religious and spiritual needs Ø Deliver religious content and experiences to people wherever they are, 24 x 7 x 365 Ø Engage people in a wide variety of experiences tailored to their needs, interests, spiritual journey, and busy lives Ø Connect people to each other – in physical places and virtual spaces

A NETWORK MODEL A Lifelong Faith Formation Network provides faith formation for everyone, anytime, anywhere, 24 x 7 x 365. User. Generated Content Church Programs Small Groups & Support Groups Social Media Mentors Faith Formation Network Community Programs Blogs Apps Online Resources Print, Audio Video Online Courses & Activities

A NETWORK MODEL On Your Own Community & World Mentored Physical & Virtual Settings Church Community Large Group @ Home Small Group

Imagine the Possibilities for Lifelong & Lifewide Faith Formation in a Network Model

MENTORS MARRIAGE PREP - Online - Gathered SOCIAL NETWORK Newly Married Couples MARRIAGE ENRICHMEN T - Workshops - Online -Retreats FAITH GROWTH - Programs - Online Courses & Resources SMALL GROUPS & Support Groups

Families in the First Decade of Life MENTORS FAITH PRACTICES @ HOME Prayer, Rituals, Bible, Family Conversation, Service PARENT FORMATION & PARENTING SKILLS Workshops Courses Online Resources Support Groups MILESTONES Baptism Anniversary, First Prayers, Start of School FAMILY LEARNING PROGRAMS Church Gatherings Small Groups Workshops BAPTISM ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER

SUNDAY WORSHIP REFLECTIO DISCOVERING FAITH PROGRAMS THEOLOGY PROGRAMS N SOCIAL LIFE TASKS & TRANSITIONS PROGRAMS NETWORKS & BLOGS ADULT FAITH EXTENDED PROGRAMS & TRIPS FORMATION NETWORK SMALL GROUP STUDIES ONLINE COURSES & RESOURCES BOOK OR VIDEO GROUPS JUSTICE, SERVICE, MISSION TRIPS PRAYER, SPIRITUAL PRACTICES, RETREATS

Differentiated Faith Formation Content & Activities for those of Vibrant Faith & Engagement Core Content & Experiences for Everyone Content & Activities for Spiritual but Not Religious Content & Activities for Occasionals

NETWORKS AROUND GATHERINGS Small Groups User. Generated Content Online Courses & Activities GATHERE D EVENT Online Resources Blogs & Social Media Print, Audio Video @ Home Activities

NEW ROLE FOR LEADERS: THE FAITH FORMATION CURATOR Curating religious content & experiences for all ages A faith formation curator is someone who continually finds, groups, organizes, and shares the best and most relevant content and experiences on a specific subject to match the needs of a specific audience.

FAITH FORMATION CURATOR What would we curate? Ø Ø Ø Ø Church Programs & Activities Community Programs & Activities People Resources Print Resources Audio & Video Resources Art, Drama, and Music Resources Online Content: Websites, Courses, Blogs Apps & Digital Resources