WHAT WE DO AND WHY
The purpose of Confirmation Ministry is to provide young people in their middle school years with the opportunity to explore the Bible and catechism (Ten Commandments, Apostles Creed, Lord’s Prayer, sacraments of Baptism and Communion; i.e., the “small catechism”) and to grow in knowledge of the unique history of the Lutheran reformation. Martin Luther wrote the Small catechism just under 500 years ago during an uncertain era when the storms of life had left the people around him “in the dark”. It was designed to serve as a beacon for navigating daily living. The same may be said about his teaching relating to scripture. Today, we find ourselves on the same journey, facing the storms of contemporary life that cause anxiety and insecurity, which is why we need invitations to share each other’s place, to be with each other in both joy and suffering and in so doing to witness to Christ among us.
In addition to teaching Christian doctrine and history, a key focus of this ministry includes a strong emphasis on relationships. God became human in order to communicate on our level and reveal the holy to us. We need to enter the world of tweens to share the gospel with them just as Jesus entered our world.
The scriptural basis for relational youth work is that we seek to follow the pattern of Jesus who built relationships with his disciples and revealed himself to them. Relationships are essential; they are transformative; they are the glue of youth ministry. Jesus is present where the church gathers and community exists. The reality is that young people will see Jesus more in a group than in one relationship.
The types of relationships that we focus on include the youth’s bond to God, to parents, to others in the class, to the instructor, to the Christian community and to all people.
Specifically, we endeavor to:
- Reflect upon their faith in conversation and fellowship with others
- Develop a deeper sense of worship and prayer
- Consider ethical issues of importance to them and their families
- Pray for the needs of others, for personal desires and for the mission of the church
- Express the gospel in a meaningful way and to share what God in Christ has done for them
- Recognize the needs and hurts of those in the world around them and to be a part of a helping and healing service to others
- Relate to other Christians as students, friends, caregivers and teachers
- Use their God-given gifts and abilities in a manner that strengthens the mission outreach of the church.
The program is 3 years and it involves 6th, 7th and 8th graders.