Faith Forward will teach congregations, parents, and grandparents to tell the Biblical and family stories of God’s mercy, grace, love, boundaries, protection, promises, and faithfulness. As parenting trends and church attendance change in a post-pandemic world, this program has been designed to help pastors, ministry leaders, parents, and grandparents pass on their Christian faith to the next generation. A paradigm shift to a home-centered faith formation requires trusted partners, a strong foundation of relationships and accountability, and an openness to God’s Spirit as it moves in new directions. Faith Forward wants to see parents and grandparents share the faith and values with the church’s treasure and future, our children and youth.

Faith Forward has a three-fold aim:

1. EMPOWER rural and small congregations to more effectively work with parents, grandparents, and faith mentors through the normal routines of congregational life to help them hand down their Christian faith and values to the next generation.

2. EQUIP parents and grandparents with doable, repeatable, livable faith practices.

3. ENCOURAGE parents and grandparents in creating homegrown faith through easy-to-use activities and resources which weave faith formation into the normal routines of family life.

Faith Forward is funded by the Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative of the Lilly Endowment Inc. housed at Grand View University, and works in collaboration with Peer Ministry.

Join us for our upcoming virtual informational session!

This event is intended for prospective pastors or church leaders, bishops, and synod leaders.

Tuesday, October 13

Time: 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. CST

Location: Virtual (Zoom Meeting)

Agenda:

• Meet the Faith Forward Team - Introductions and welcome

• Program Overview - Faith Forward’s three-fold aim

• Cohort Components - Structure and key elements

• Timeline & Expectations - Dates and commitments

• Participant Reflections - Stories from past cohorts

• Q&A/Next Steps - Open discussion and closing