The Committee on Christian Formation was created by the Bishop and Council, and is charged with surveying all parishes regarding Christian Formation, refining a vision for Christian Education and Formation, and developing some next steps.

Members
The Rev. Dr. Peter Antoci (2006)
The Rev. Nancy Lee Jose (2007)
The Rev. Ann Moczydlowski (2008)
The Rev. Catherine Powell (2008)
Nancy Maestri Chair (2007)
Laura Bachman (2006)
Bill Edgar (2008)
Jo Mimms (2007)
Wayne Floyd

The report below represents the Annual Report for 2004, presented to Council at the January 2005 Diocesan Convention and printed in the 2005 Journal and Directory.

REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION

"Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?" Several times a year, most people answer this question with a resounding, "yes!" but what does it really mean to fulfill the baptismal covenant and keep the promise we make to each new member of Christ's flock? The Christian Formation Task Force (CFTF) has spent the last months considering this question by delving into what formation is, how it is done, and what can be done better to form, nourish and support strong, faithful Christians.

Survey

The work focused first on designing and conducting a survey of the Diocese's parishes to learn what churches are doing, where they are strong, and where they need extra help. There are many volunteers and lay and professional staff in place already who dedicate their energy toward designing and implementing meaningful Christian formation programs in individual parishes. Their commitment provides a strong base on which to build future efforts.

Thirty-two churches (out of a possible total of 94) completed surveys for the Task Force. Others were represented at an all-call meeting, which took place last summer. More detailed reports will be sent directly to the parishes, but some highlights follow:

45% of parishes that responded have a Christian Education/Formation commission
Efforts are directed by various people:
- 39% report all volunteer leadership
- 35% report volunteers and clergy share leadership
- 23% report paid professional staff
Many parishes offer intergenerational formation programs or retreats:
- Parish retreat 34%
- Advent program 47%
- Lenten program 47%
- 75% offer at least one Sunday morning program for adults.
In the churches responding, more than 100 different adult groups convene each year, including Bible study, adult forum, prayer groups, book discussion, Education for Ministry and others.

While much already happens, many respondents asked for assistance in several areas:

Diocesan Staff person 48%
Materials 52%
Internet assistance 52%
Retreats 35%
Teacher training 75%

Clearly, much more can be done to deepen the Diocese's formation programs and to better use the expertise that already exists among our parishes, but which cannot currently be accessed for the benefit of other churches.

Definition of Christian Formation

The Task Force continued its work by discussing the definition of formation. The Task Force believes that Christian Formation is the ongoing step-by-step instruction and practice of life with Christ spanning the time from cradle to grave. It is living out Christ's life everyday. This process changes constantly, seeks continually, and draws mainly from the three-legged stool: Scripture, tradition and reason. To maximize formation, efforts must be intentional, deliberate, measured, and personal. Overnight results cannot be expected and must have a long term view of success - measured in years, not weeks or months.

Based on the survey results, the Task Force believes that people hunger deeply for a strong connection to Christ. Christian formation's purpose must be to invite people into God's house, to provide programs founded in Biblical literacy and aimed at growing disciples who work not far away, but here at home in their own communities reflecting God's power in their lives. In today's fast paced world, it is too easy for the church to become irrelevant, out-dated, and hopelessly out of touch. The future of the church, depends upon reaching out to those hungering for a spiritual base who have no idea where to find it. Support must be provided for the values development that no longer seems to happen in schools and which many families struggle with knowing how to provide. Support must be provided for everyone - parents, singles and married couples, families in transition, questing teens, doubting believers and everyone in between - no matter whether they are just beginning their spiritual journey or have been walking Christ's way for many years. There must be reaching out to local communities to provide a means for each person to find his own unique way to Christ, to own that faith, and in turn to make Christ known to others.

While these ideas may seem like a big charge, it must be remembered that through Christ one can do all things. The first step must simply be to become more aware of formation in people's lives and parishes. What is it? How is it being done? In the Task Force, many found that simply thinking deeply about these issues and debating how to help others with such a goal, changed the way the members thought and what they focused on at their local churches. As the Task Force works to raise awareness about Christian formation, it can also take several concrete steps to help facilitate the strengthening of the Diocese's efforts in this area.

Recommendations

The Task Force made the following recommendations to the Diocesan Council:

Convene a Christian Formation Committee to start laying the groundwork for better communication regarding Christian formation. This would include compiling and maintaining an accurate list of Christian formation contacts for each parish; facilitating communications among these Christian formation leaders regarding training opportunities, retreats, and available resources; and writing or soliciting monthly articles for the Washington Window to raise awareness about formation and focus attention on deliberate work to strengthen our offerings in this area. The committee should also work closely with the Bishop to identify and hire a dedicated Missioner for Christian Formation to assist in this work as a staff person at Church House (see below).

Establish a Resource Center initially to provide lists of resources for speakers, curricula, intergenerational programs, training events, etc; later to provide more substantive assistance for those seeking help in specific areas of Christian formation.

Hire a Missioner for Christian Formation in the next 12-18 months to help build a strong formation network in the Diocese and facilitate communications between parishes so that they may draw upon one another's strengths.

Conclusion

The Task Force feels strongly that Christian Formation must be at the center of everyone's personal, parish and diocesan lives. There needs to be a dialogue about what formation is, start a communication system that allows discussion on how to achieve formation beyond one's immediate parishes, and prayer about finding the right person to lead an intentional effort in Christian formation. The Task Force has been energized by its discussion on study of Christian formation, and hopes most of all for this work to have begun a process whereby fellow believers may find the same energizing spirit, and use it to create a community that sustains and nurtures that spirit. In short, all must constantly work to uphold the vows made in the baptismal covenant. To do less would be to leave the path Christ has marked for all to follow.

Mr. Paul Canady , Deputy for Youth Ministry