Christian formation – Page 3 – searchingforthinplaces

Sabbath

I have become someone who treasures sunrise and sunset, and I cherish capturing images of each. This sunrise image occurs at one of my “thin places,” Perkins Chapel on the campus of SMU in Dallas, Texas. Both sunrise and sunset capture a special type of Sabbath for me. Sure they are present every day,Continue reading “Sabbath”

God will never forget us

Isaiah 49:14-15, Psalm 62, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 You have to read the texts for this weeks lectionary very closely, because you can misunderstand the underlying subtext. The theme through all of these is that “God will never forget us.” The Matthew text is probably the one with which we are most familiar, theContinue reading “God will never forget us”

What kids pick up

One of the greatest and gravest responsibilities I have is the confirmation class of 11 and 12 year olds. We choose that age because they are just entering that early formal operational stage, where asking questions and challenging the status quo is becoming pro forma. We spend the first several months learning about the detailsContinue reading “What kids pick up”

Image-n this

Music of the church

I love traditional worship. Especially the music. Especially hymns, played on the organ, loud. Really loud. I would be the equivalent of a person who enjoys loud rock n’ roll, (which I also enjoy), except that it would be loud organ music (until you can feel your mitral valve vibrate). One of the things thatContinue reading “Music of the church”

Children’s message – Can do tithing

ithing. I could ask how do you teach children to tithe, but the bigger question, the much bigger question is how do you teach adults to tithe? I grew up in a church where Christian formation was a life long event. Once you made your profession of faith, which you had to do on yourContinue reading “Children’s message – Can do tithing”

Formation UMASCE

I belong to the United Methodist Association of Scholars in Christian Education, UMASCE. Actually I will get to serve as an officer of the organization. The folks involved are among the most well known, well published leaders in Christian Education. There are professors and students and Conference staff that participate in the organization. Sounds quiteContinue reading “Formation UMASCE”

Healing Service

Sometimes, maybe a lot of times, Christian formation means stepping out of where you are comfortable into the zone where things may not be so predictable. Maybe that is why I enjoy working with the 11 and 12 year olds, because I can plan for one thing and they have questions that will take meContinue reading “Healing Service”

Forming yourself

Bible Study. Are you engaging in a study of the Bible? I don’t mean reading it daily, that is a different issue. Do you spend at least some time each week looking closely into the Bible, either in a group or as an individual? One of the most important things that we need to doContinue reading “Forming yourself”

The Journey begins here

It is my great joy to spend quite a bit of time during the school year with the confirmands of the church that I serve. Our confirmation class meets during the sixth grade. Sixth grade is the perfect time for confirmation. These children have just entered middle school, and their whole world is changing. TheyContinue reading “The Journey begins here”