I’ve shameless stolen the title for this post directly from an article published in the current issue of Lifelong Faith: “Leadership for 21st Century Faith Formation” (Spring 2011). As you may have guessed from previous posts, I think the John Roberto (who wrote the article) and his colleagues at Lifelong Faith Associates are doing the most innovative work being done today in the world of faith formation (or faith development or religious education). And this article is a prime example. Roberto has taken the notion of being a curator (both online and face-to-face) and applied it faith formation in congregations. If you aren’t acquainted with the concept of curating (especially online), don’t worry, this brief article is an excellent primer. What’s more, Roberto has applied this idea to some work they’ve already have done on six ways to offer content to people across the lifespan:
- Faith Formation on Your Own: through reading, online courses, audio and video programs, movies, television programs
- Faith Formation at Home: through Bible reading, storytelling and caring conversation, prayer and devotions, rituals and traditions, service
- Faith Formation in Small Groups: through Bible and theology study groups, social issues study groups, faith sharing groups, lectionary-based groups, service/mission action groups, support groups, special interest groups
- Faith Formation in Large Groups; through courses, speaker series, workshops, film festivals, retreats, conferences, intergenerational programs
- Faith Formation in the Congregation: through Sunday worship, church year events and celebrations, service/mission activities, ministry and leadership in the church and community
Put these two concepts together, and you have the recipe for a top-notch lifelong faith formation network that congregations of almost any size can develop. Actually, it’s not a matter of can, it’s a matter of must. I honestly believe that only the congregations that have established a vital web presence in regards to faith formation are going to survive the next ten years or so. And I know of no better introduction on how we can go about doing this than John Roberto’s article. So do yourself a favor and take a look at it: Becoming a Faith Formation Curator. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the article.
In this world of content abundance it becomes possible for a congregation to provide faith formation for everyone, anytime, anywhere, 24x7x365.
The role of the leader in faith formation is shifting from providing religious content and programming to curating religious content and experiences for all ages.
A content curator is someone who continually finds, groups, organizes, and shares the best and most relevant content on a specific subject to match the needs of a specific audience.
Faith formation is no longer about offering “one size fits all” curriculum or programming for a whole age group or generation—assuming that everyone is at the same point in their spiritual and religious growth. Churches can now meet people at the point of their spiritual, religious, and learning needs and offer personalized opportunities for faith growth.
Phil's Little Blog on the Prairie 
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May 27, 2011 at 9:41 am
Jon
Content is king. Using words like “worship”, “faith”, “spiritual practice” etc. implies a radical change in what a typical UU church offers…unless..it is mere window dressing for the same old same old content of secular politics dressed up as religion. Approaches to actual worship of God, faith development, spiritual practices from centering prayer, meditation, ritual etc. would indeed be a step in the right direction. Show me the content.
May 27, 2011 at 10:20 am
Phil on the Prairie
Content is king, indeed! I agree that if UU congregations are going to use their web presence to attract spiritual seekers to their religious communities, they’re going to need to offer more that more that “secular politics dressed up as religion.” Thanks for the comment.
May 27, 2011 at 2:07 pm
nagoonberry
Thank you for this article. Kenneth Sutton shared the concept of curating with me when I started editing the Interdependent Web blog, and it’s been helpful to have a word for this thing my mind was already doing. As I look toward returning to ministry, I’m glad that there are ways this curating skill applies there as well.
May 27, 2011 at 2:10 pm
nagoonberry
I should also say that, as I’ve become more aware of my curating abilities, I’ve also noticed that there are other necessary skills as well.
A curator reads widely. Other people choose a few of the resources a curator has shared, dive deeply into them, and return with riches to share.
May 27, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Phil on the Prairie
I’m glad there’s a word for this sort of thing, too. It makes the concept a little easier to understand. Hopefully it will help some congregations get a handle on how to be present online, especially around faith development. Thanks!
May 27, 2011 at 4:11 pm
nagoonberry
I’d love it if you did a follow-up post on faith formation curation platforms–the “Deliver” section of Roberto’s article. Similar to the good work you did with your series about congregational websites.
May 27, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Phil on the Prairie
Good idea! I’ll see what I can do….
May 29, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Jon
What are the odds that a UUA church (other than a Unitarian Christian Fellowship} or the UUA itself would actually endorse and use the books mentioned above? God talk?! Faith and spirituality?!
Looking over a local UUA church purpose statement
“…encourage and practice spiritual growth, freedom of faith,
celebration of diversity, commitment to action, devotion to each other, the community and the
Earth.”
Spiritual growth..check
Freedom of faith..check
“Celebration of diversity….” Really? Any diversity? Too P.C.
“Commitment to action”…..what kind of action?
the community…check
“the Earth”…..really? Devotion as in a religious sense? Sorry, you can be an environmentalist but being “devoted” to the earth is specific for
Earth Worship
Free Dictionary
1. Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle. See Synonyms at love.
2. Religious ardor or zeal; piety.
3.
a. An act of religious observance or prayer, especially when private. Often used in the plural.
b. devotions Prayers or religious texts: a book of devotions.
4. The act of devoting or the state of being devoted.
Where is God? The Earth is not God…
I think the above is tpical of most UUA churches….and to me, it reflects what is wrong with the “religion”. Employing some of the material you note above would help.
May 30, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Phil on the Prairie
I agree, Jon. UU congregations that want to attract 21st century spiritual seekers will need to expand their offerings (and not be afraid of talking about God).