| Congregational Formational Initiative |
|
|
|
|
Project Director: Phil Kenneson The overarching goal of the Congregational Formation Initiative (CFI) is to develop creative and effective ways of supporting congregations that are committed to making lifelong formation and discipleship central to their life together. To support this goal, the CFI fosters collaboration among pastors, scholars and lay persons to develop, employ, evaluate, refine and disseminate resources that will help initiate and sustain congregational conversations about the fundamental identity and mission of the church. The CFI was designed in response to frequent comments and requests made at EP gatherings. Over the years, scores of people have confided that they themselves embrace the vision of discipleship, lifelong formation, and the church that is at the heart of The Ekklesia Project, but that they need resources that would help introduce their congregations to these critically important conversations. In response to this need, EP designed the CFI, which seeks over several years to develop and disseminate resources for use in local congregations. A range of resources are currently being developed and piloted in several congregations around the country. Many of these materials will be made more widely available beginning in the summer of 2007 at the EP Summer Gathering (July 16-18). The various components of the CFI build upon one another, and the titles of each reflect this by alluding to the various stages involved in learning to swim: I. Getting Your Feet Wet (Introductory Materials) This series consists of two seven-session studies which lay the groundwork for the rest of the initiative. The first study, The Shape of Our Lives, explores a number of basic issues regarding the dynamics of formation, such as what is being formed and how. Study groups within congregations who take up this study will gain both a deeper awareness of the pervasiveness of the formation going on around and within them and a shared vocabulary with which to discuss these dynamics of formation within their own congregations. The second study, The Shape of God’s Reign, builds on the first by exploring the identity and mission of the church. Why did God bring the church into existence? What might it mean to think of the church as a community of formation who has been called to participate in God’s restorative work? This study begins by encouraging congregations to explore the various ways they have been formed to think of the purpose of the church, and then moves on to locate the church’s mission within God’s reconciling work in the world. II. Going Deeper (More In-Depth Materials) Once people are introduced to these questions and concepts, some of which may be new to them, many will want to explore these matters in greater depth. Two kinds of materials are provided at this level. The first is a series of multi-session study guides for use in local congregations. The “Going Deeper” study guides build on the “Getting Your Feet Wet” series and are designed to accompany already-published works. These resources are designed specifically to aid groups who desire to study a book together with a particular focus on the implications for congregation life. The following materials are currently being developed, piloted and revised, and will in the future be available in PDF format on this website:
The second resource at this level is CFI’s web-based annotated bibliography. This bibliography is designed to help congregations find resources on an appropriate level that speak to the issues about the church with which they are currently wrestling. Annotations are written by members of The Ekklesia Project with experience in teaching this material to various groups and settings. What makes this bibliography distinct is that each book is discussed in light of its potential significance for issues of congregational life and formation. Visitors to the web site are also encouraged to offer their own annotations and suggestions for how this material has been (or might be) effectively used in local congregations. III. Taking the Plunge (Multi-Day Event) The third component of the Congregational Formation Initiative process involves a multi-day retreat or “immersion” experience. This retreat, which is designed for those members of the congregation who have participated in the CFI to this point, offers a time of intensive focus and reflection on those aspects of the conversation thus far that warrant further exploration. Such an immersion experience is crucial to nurturing an alternative understanding of the church. In such a setting, participants are afforded the opportunity, in a relatively short span of time, to catch the “big picture” in a manner that is substantially different than the learning gleaned week by week in more conventional learning venues. Each retreat is planned by the local congregation in light of its specific needs. Wherever possible and desirable, EP works with these congregations to provide a pastor-scholar team capable of helping plan and lead the retreat. IV. Basic Strokes (Exploring Fundamental Christian Practices) Lifelong formation and transformation in and through the church is inseparable from those fundamental ecclesial practices that have served over the centuries as crucibles for such change. Engaging in these practices requires apprenticeship. The fourth component involves developing several in-depth study modules, each of which would take up a basic Christian practice, offering congregations an opportunity to explore its basic contours and central role within the life of the church as well as its current and potential role in the life of that congregation. Resources are the following topics are currently being developed and will in the future be available in PDF format on this website: Giving and Receiving Counsel Having and Sharing: An Exploration of Economic Practices Practicing Hospitality If you have questions about CFI, suggestions for resources that might be developed, or would simply like to discuss congregational formation with other EP folk, please visit the EP forum on the Congregational Formation Initiative. |