Adult Education & Christian Formation

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Christian formation is a dynamic process in which our whole life is shaped by God through the work of the Holy Spirit. More than education and the acquisition of skills and knowledge, Christian formation is the process of daily living into the possibility of abundant and vibrant life in Christ as it becomes known to us in our encounters with God and with each other. It includes a rhythm of worship, a rich practice of prayer, and a commitment to learn, support and care for one another.

The idea of Christian formation is not new. From the beginning of the early church, Christian communities gathered to worship and pray, as well as to learn and support one another in the life of discipleship. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the newly emerging and rapidly growing Christian community devoted themselves "to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (2:42). Their rhythm of life was a continuation of Jesus' own ministry of gathering his friends around him such that they could be shaped by the shape of his life.

This same rhythm is expressed in the model we are adapting from the work of a Presbyterian minister, Charles Olsen, in his article, "The Closet, the House and the Sanctuary."

Your Room: This refers to our solitary moments with and experience of God. As Jesus said, "When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6). These moments are an invitation into the very heart of God, and it is our desire to offer a variety of devotional and experiential opportunities that will enable us to cultivate richer encounters with the Holy through a regular practice of solitary prayer.

The House: Recognizing that gathering to be formed in faith in addition to worship is an essential aspect of the life of Christian discipleship, St. Stephen's is greatly enriching its Christian formation offerings for adults through small groups, educational presentations, workshops, retreats, and conferences. In the coming year, there will be many exciting and varied opportunities to grow in the knowledge and love of God, and we invite you to join us as we develop robust practices of Christian faith that are supported and strengthened in our parish community.

The Sanctuary: Joining in a weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist is certainly an important, if not central, component of a healthy spiritual life. It is there that we open our hearts and minds to the life-giving presence of God in Scripture, in sacred music, in fellowship, in Christian teaching, and in the sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood. This sacrament is one of the sure and certain ways in which God has promised to be with us and to bind us together in Divine love.

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