Formation Transforms

It was my honor and delight to attend the annual conference of FORMA (The Episcopal Church Network for Christian Formation Professionals) in Charleston last week. This was a gathering of more than 400 professionals, lay and ordained, young and “less young,” all committed to the countless formation ministries (for all ages) in our Church. Good Shepherd’s own Bill Campbell is the Executive Director, and we should be very proud of Bill as this was his first conference in that role and it was fantastic!

I attended several insightful workshops and, as usual, made a long list of resources I’d like to read. I also sat in on a panel about forming young disciples, in which our own Roger Speer presented our formation arc, The Pilgrim’s Way, in a manner that impressed and encouraged those gathered. It was a proud moment for Good Shepherd, as we stood out for the intentional and thoughtful work we are doing in teaching and learning.

Not to knock Roger or Bill, but the highlight of the conference was clearly the closing Eucharist, complete with bagpipes, tower bells, choir, processions, spirituals, AND an inspiring and challenging sermon by Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry. It was an “embarrassment of riches” for me to be present for the PB’s preaching TWICE in the same week, and my greatest takeaway is certainly that this man REALLY loves Jesus and PASSIONATELY wants for ALL people to enjoy the kind of relationship he does with his Savior. Because this desire is so strong in Bishop Curry, he is a strong supporter and encourager of faith formation ministries. “What YOU do matters,” he proclaimed with gratitude.

Then the PB shared a hope-filled and motivating vision for the work (which belongs to ALL of us) of making and “feeding” disciples of Jesus Christ. “Formation,” he said, “will bring about reformation in the Church AND transformation in the world.” I find this to be a helpful – somewhat daunting, but also very exciting – lens through which to view/review the effort I invest in our formation programs. If my Sunday School lesson and slide show are meant to contribute to nothing less than the transformation of the world, then I’d better give it my all! This work we do here really is important, impactful, and worth our very best, isn’t it?

And just what should this important work look like and strive for? Bishop Curry had a direction for that as well. “Teach them to look something like Jesus and they will set the world free!” God has been in the freedom business since the beginning of creation – giving us free will, freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the cross setting us free from the slavery of sin. We are now the agents and ministers of this freedom in the world – that’s why what we’re doing is so important. Will you join me, please?