A Faithful Future: A Conversation about the missional church and the first third of life
The Seventh Annual Consultation on the Missional Church
Nov. 4-5, 2011
Plenary Presentations
"Envisioning the Future of Faith Formation in the First Third of Life"
John Roberto—Friday, 9:30 a.m.
The first decade of the 21st century has brought dramatic change affecting virtually every dimension of American religious life. How can faith formation in the first third of life address this new context? This presentation will explore three key questions for envisioning the shape and direction of faith formation in the first third of life:
- What are we learning from research and practice about the essential building blocks of effective faith formation in the first third of life?
- What are the social, cultural, technological and religious trends impacting faith formation in the first third of life?
- How can we envision and create the future of faith formation in the first third of live over the next decade?
Watch Envisioning the Future of Faith Formation in the First Third of Life.
"Cultivating a Consequential Faith in a Consumer-Driven World: From Object to Subject to Agent"
Terri Elton—Friday, 11 a.m.
In a world where bullying is the top news story and teens are becoming defined by their technology, how are today’s children and youth going to discover a Christian way of life? This presentation will critique our predominate societal understanding of human identity in light of those in the first third of life, re-examine our identity as God’s children called to actively engage the world and consider a way forward for congregational life.
Watch Cultivating a Consequential Faith, Part 1.
Watch Cultivating a Consequential Faith, Part 2.
Following Jesus in Participatory culture: Faithful Living in a World Mediated by technology
Ryan Bolger—Saturday, 9:15 a.m.
We'll examine how the social media revolution has reshaped daily life for those in the first third of life. In addition, we'll explore how these cultural changes impact churches. How might Christians pursue the reign of God in these new cultures? To approach these issues, we'll draw on missiological, technological and spiritual resources to engage participatory cultures with the gospel of Christ.
Watch Following Jesus in Participatory Culture, Part 1.
Watch Following Jesus in Participatory Culture, Part 2.
"Thinking Deeply about Relationship: The Practical Adequacy of Our Understanding of the God-Human Relationship"
Terence Fretheim—Saturday, 11 a.m.
The word "relationship" pervades current reflections about God in the life of the church. What do we mean when we speak of "relationship?" How adequate is our understanding of the God-human relationship for our missional commitments and conversations? What will we teach our children about the relational God of the Bible, especially the God of the Old Testament?
Watch Thinking Deeply about Relationship.
