Faith Formation

When did you stop learning?

Suppose you have a car, smartphone, computer,

television, or microwave, to name a few. You have

used, taken care of, or been informed by them.

So, the answer is you haven’t stopped learning.

Now, ask yourself why I stopped learning about Christ and his church at confirmation.

Many of us know the church has changed, and

we have accepted many of the changes, but do

we really understand why the church has changed.

Before the ordination of women, how many people believed it wouldn’t or shouldn’t be possible?

Well, the ordination of women happened. Can you believe, understand, and defend it happened?

Can we see the need for study is essential today?

One answer is coming in September. Adult Christian Education will resume at Messiah. Being Bible-based, it may go beyond just talking about the books of the Bible. It may relate to applying these values to our present life among God’s people. These opportunities will be provided at 8:00 am on Sunday, beginning September 8, or Wednesday at 10:00 am, starting September 18. More detailed information about the topics to be covered will be forthcoming. Let Pastor Mark know if you have a significant topic you may want to discuss.

Speaking of the Kids...

As our congregation grew older, busier, and fewer, we found that the number of children needing Christian education in multiple classroom styles has returned to a one-classroom arrangement. In some churches, maybe not even that. When Sue Sherlock was with us, we developed a Sunday morning Christian education program called B.LA.S.T. (Bible Learning and Study Time.)

The purpose was to take children of a certain age out of worship during the readings and the Sunday sermon. A time to engage the kids at their level, bringing them into God’s kingdom.

It would be nice to have more children in church regularly. Bring back their involvement in the service. Maybe split B.L.A.S.T. into two different age levels. But at the moment, we can only hope we are doing what we can for the greater good. B.L.A.S.T. will continue to be offered, and we hope it will be there if the number of children grows.