The Leaders

A Faith Forming Congregational Culture for the 21st Century

Vibrant Faith University - Course #1

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Presentation #2: Faith Formation NetworksPresenter: John Roberto

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Learning in the Connected World

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Internet RevolutionMobile RevolutionSocial Media Revolution

Information is now. . . PortablePersonalParticipatoryThe Triple Revolution

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A shift from education to learning anywhere, anytime.A shift from consumption of information to participatory learning.A shift from institutions to networks.

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Learning in a Connected Age

https://www.lrng.org

21st Century Learning Diana Rhoten

21st Century Learning Mimi Ito

Faith Formation Networks

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Faith Formation NetworksWhat if we reimagined faith formation as a network of relationships, content, experiences, and resources?

. . . . Offering a wide variety of engaging and interactive content and experiences in online and physical settings.

. . . . Offering content and experiences to respond to the diverse religious and spiritual needs of adults todayfrom the spiritually committed and engaged to the spiritual but not religious and the unaffiliated.

. . . . Enabling congregations to become centers for learning and faith growth by utilizing the best of the new digital technologies to bring an abundance of meaningful and engaging faith forming experiencesin the congregation and the world, and in a variety of mediato all adults

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Faith Formation NetworksVariety of content, methods, formats, and delivery systems to address the diverse life tasks and situations, needs and interests, and spiritual and faith journeys of adults in four seasons of adulthood.

Multiple environments to address peoples busy lives and provide more ways to participate: self-directed, mentored, at home, in small groups, in large groups, church-wide, in the community, and in the world

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Faith Formation Networks

Digitally-Enabled Blending gathered community settings with online learning environments and utilizing the abundance of digital media and tools for learning and faith formation

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An Individual Faith Formation Network

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Faith Formation NetworksCaring RelationshipsCelebrating the SeasonsCelebrating Rituals & MilestonesLearning the Christian TraditionPraying & Spiritual FormationReading the BibleServing, Working for Justice, & Caring for CreationWorshipping GodLife Stage IssuesMissional

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Family Faith Forming Processes

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ProcessChildren& FamilyTeens& FamilyYoung AdultsMidlife AdultsMature AdultsOlder Adults Caring RelationshipsChurch Year Feasts & SeasonsLearning the TraditionPrayer & Spiritual FormationReading the BibleRituals & MilestonesService & Working for JusticeWorshipMissionalLife Stage Issues

Network Programming Planning

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Three Seasons of ProgrammingFall Season: Sept 1 Jan 1

Winter/Spring Season: Jan 1 May 1

Summer Season: May 1 Sept 1

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Programming on the NetworkFaith Formation Playlists

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Programming on the NetworkFaith Formation Playlists

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Digitally Enabled Faith Formation

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Faith Formation Networks

Digitally-Enabled Blending gathered community settings with online learning environments and utilizing the abundance of digital media and tools for learning and faith formation

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Gathered with Online ContentA gathered program using online content from websites, videos from YouTube or other video sites, and blogs and other social media. With an abundance of high quality digital content, this first option is the easiest way to bring the digital world into a gathered program.

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Gathered and Online ContentConnecting church programs or events with online content that extends and deepens the experience through learning, prayer, ritual, action, etc. Sunday worship & church year feasts and seasons Intergenerational & family programsChildren, youth, and adult classes & programsExtended programs: mission trips, retreat experiences, and vacation Bible school, summer camp

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Gathered and Online Content

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Gathered and Online Content

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Example: Sunday WorshipChurch Life Daily & Home Life Online LifeExperience of Worship in the CongregationSunday worship and lectionaryChurch year feasts and seasonsChurch rituals: baptism, communion, funerals, etc.Experience of Sunday worship, rituals, and church year seasons in daily life Reflecting on the sermon and readings at homePractices: Lectio, etc. Application to daily livingOnline worship, church year, and lectionary resources on the churchs faith formation websiteLectionary commentaries onlineVideo reflections and commentaryOnline activities and projects

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Example: Sunday Worship

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Flip the classroom or program by creating a digital platform to provide the content that people would learn in the gathered setting in an online learning space using print, audio, video, and more. And then transform the gathered program using interactive activities, discussion, project-based learning, and practice and demonstration.Flip childrens programming: At home learning with parents (print, video, online); in-class application with activities, project-centered learningFlip confirmation programmingDevelop a online justice and service center

Online & Gathered

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Online & Gathered

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Online & Gathered

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Online & Gathered

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Mostly OnlineUtilizing the digital platform as the primary learning setting and providing opportunities for interaction in gathered settings. Parent webinar programs delivered to parents at home in four-month semesters: three webinars + a parent gathering; three more webinars + a parent gathering. Online learning resources for self-study or small group study, and gathering at the conclusion to share their insights. Online Bible study where groups can meet regularly in a physical setting or virtually through Skype or a Google+ Hangout. Selected online courses and activities from colleges, seminaries, and religious organization for individualized learning with the option for a mentor or small group gathering.

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Fully OnlineThe rise of high quality and easily accessible online religious contentcourses, activities, print and e-books, audio and video programs, and content-rich websiteshas made designing online faith formation feasible. Online Bible and theology courses, video programs, webinars for individual study Online prayer and spirituality center where people can access daily prayer reflections and devotions, offer prayer intentions, pray for others, learn about spiritual practices, download prayer activities for the homeOnline parent resource centerOnline retreat experience

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Example: 40-Day Lent CurriculumChurch Life Daily & Home Life Online LifeAsh WednesdayLenten Sunday liturgiesStations of the CrossLenten prayer Lenten retreatLenten serviceLenten soup suppersFastingPrayingService/AlmsgivingLectionary reflectionFamily activities

Lenten learning resourcesLenten calendarDaily Lenten prayerWeekly table prayerVideo resourcesOnline retreat experience

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Using a Web ConferenceGoogle+ Hangout

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Curating Content, Programming, & Experiences

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Emerging RolesDeveloping religious contentDesigning programming Managing programmingTeaching/Facilitating programming

Designing learning environmentsarchitecture Curating religious content and experiencesCurrent RolesEmerging Roles

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What is Content Curation(Beth Kanter)Content curation is the process of sorting through the vast amounts of content on the web and presenting it in a meaningful and organized way around a specific theme. The work involves sifting, sorting, arranging, and publishing information. A content curator picks the best content that is important and relevant to share with their community.It isnt unlike what a museum curator does to produce an exhibition: They identify the theme, they provide the context, they decide which paintings to hang on the wall, how they should be annotated, and how they should be displayed for the public.

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Faith Formation CuratorsA Faith Formation Curator is a trusted guide who continually finds, groups, organizes, evaluates, and connects the best and most relevant content and experiences on a specific topic to match the needs of a specific audience.

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Build a Curation Support SystemDevelop trusted expert curators to assist.Develop a list of high quality online resource centers.Subscribe to faith formation blogs and newsletters.

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Curate with ReadKit - Mac & iOS

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Curate with G2Reader - PC & Android

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Curate with Feedly

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Curate with Social Bookmarking

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Research ChecklistPeople: teachers, mentors/guides, program leaders, small group leaders, guest presentersCommunity programs: churches, agencies, organizations, Educational institutions: colleges, seminariesRetreat and spiritual life centers, monasteries Denominational programs, events, websites Museums Books (with study guides) & E-booksAppsAudio podcasts & audio learning programsVideos & video learning programsOnline courses & online activities Television showsOrganizational websitesResource center websites

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Evaluation CriteriaBiblical content and interpretationTheological content and emphasisDevelopmental appropriatenessEthnic-Cultural appropriatenessInclusive of diversityRespect for diverse ways of learningAppearance and visual appealEase-of-UseQuality of ExperienceApplicable: Able to be incorporated into daily and home life

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Curating Religious Content

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