Latest Posts
Building Faith Brick By Brick
posted on Sep 9, 2014 The Good Samaritan September is the beginning of many things. It is a place for fresh starts and unmarked territory. We have spent a season (or two) planning and now it is "go" time. The spiritual gift for us to work toward might be the abil...
Read MoreDiscussing Tragic Events in a Youth Community
posted on Aug 18, 2014This past week has been a difficult one for our communities. The shooting of Mike Brown brings forth all sorts of emotions and questions. Yet, despite the overwhelming tragedy in Ferguson and its troubling aftermath, we can be consoled with the kn...
Read MoreConfronting Clergy-Congregational Conflict by Donald V. Romanik
posted on Aug 12, 2014 Christ Church in Anytown, USA is an Episcopal congregation with an average Sunday attendance of around 75 and an annual budget of about $150,000 with an aging but beloved physical plant. The parish is facing the usual challenges of finances, and ...
Read MoreSurrender – Just a Reflection
posted on Aug 11, 2014 "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you." Genesis 12:1 How often are we offered the opportunity to take an epic "Abraham" journey? Do we recognize when God asks...
Read MoreCommunity Not Product in Christian Formation
posted on Jun 23, 2014It is that time of year. I have watched a parade of posts on Facebook over the last few weeks. We are knee deep in VBS season. It is that wild and wonderful season where we sink months of planning and prayer into what will span five, short days...
Read MoreCertificate Programs Applications are Open and Filling Up
posted on Jun 8, 2014At the last Forma Conference we were very excited to announce the Certificate in Family and Youth Ministry and the Certificate in leadership of Lifelong Formation. These are two programs that have been asked for by many groups for a long time. E...
Read MoreExperiencing the Easter Story Through Improvisation & Creativity
posted on May 27, 2014 On Saturday, May 17th a group of youth & adults met at St. Philip Episcopal Church in Columbus to play improv games and make movies that would illustrate the Easter story through the eyes of Mary Magdalene. We called our retreat "Chocolate &...
Read MoreDiscerning the Future of Forma
posted on May 15, 2014 Hello Forma members and friends, As was introduced at the 2014 Forma Conference and Annual Meeting in Alexandria, VA, the board of directors has established a Forma organizational development working group that is considering future directions ...
Read MoreCreative Prayer Practices
posted on Mar 20, 2014 As religious people, prayer is something we engage in on a regular basis. Whether in our worship together, in small groups, before meetings, or at home, we pray to call God into our midst and call upon God to help us in what we are doing. However...
Read MoreSigned, Sealed, Delivered: Theologies of Confirmation for the 21st Century
posted on Mar 17, 2014 Today in the Anglican tradition, the term "confirmation" carries a dual meaning. For some, it is the sacramental, post-baptismal rite of blessing in which initiation is sealed by the Spirit. For others, it is the time for public ratification o...
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