What are theological and practical roles of confirmation in the life of a young person and the Church? The way in which young people are being prepared for their life in the church apparently does not produce committed members; it has been estimated that at least 50% of those confirmed drop out of active church membership. Explore a brief history of confirmation, the faith development of adolescents, and a process for developing your own confirmation program (or using a published curriculum) that invites transformation and discipleship.
About the instructor: Sharon Ely Pearson is an editor and Christian Formation Specialist with Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI) with experience in Christian formation on the local, judicatory and church-wide level. Known for her knowledge of the variety of published curricula across the church, she has also had her hand in the birthing of several books including “Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People” (2012), “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Theologies of Confirmation for the 21st Century” (2014), “Marked for Mission: Youth in Action” (2014) and “Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: Challenging the Epidemic of Gun Violence” (2015). A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and a lifelong Episcopalian, she lives in Norwalk, Connecticut with her husband John, a 17.5 lb. cat named Shadow, and Chobe, a 2-year-old, tennis-ball-fetching, rescue black lab. They have two adult children, both teachers in the Hartford Public Schools.
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Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Let’s Kill Sunday School (Practical Resources for Churches)
The decline of Sunday School possibly creates the opportunity to go “back to the future” and create a significantly more holistic model of faith formation than the present age-segregated “drop off” model. What happens when you combine the wisdom of the elder and the wonder of the child in a creative caring conversation around issues of faith and life every week in church and most every night in most every home? Deuteronomy 6 (when you lie down and when you rise) combines with Acts 2 (they met in homes and in temple) in a new experiment of Cross+Generational Faith Formation with Rev. Dr. Rich Melheim.
About the instructor: Dr. Rich Melheim is an ordained Lutheran pastor with a BA in Journalism, an M.Div. in Theology, and a DMIN in Semiotics and the Future. Rich has invested his ministry in creating education systems that pull parents into the core of children, youth and family systems “every night in every home.” He is the founder and initiating force behind Faith Inkubators, FAITH5, and The Cross+Gen Movement. He is the author of two dozen books including “Let’s Kill Sunday School Volumes 1 and 2,” and “Holding Your Family Together.”
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Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Preparing for Lent with Children (Practical Resources for Churches)
This on-demand webinar discusses projects, books, and activities to help children and their families spend the 40 days leading to Easter in meaningful, Spirit-led ways. It was led by Elizabeth Christie – a Christian Educator with the United Methodist Church. Additionally, she is a certified special education teacher and has worked extensively with children and adults with various needs. Elizabeth loves finding ways to make activities work for all ages and abilities, and is usually covered in markers, paint, and glitter.
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Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Cancer Care Ministry: Compassion and Companionship (Practical Resources for Churches)
General information about various types of cancers and medical terminology, starting cancer support groups, and finding local, state and national resources are covered in this on-demand webinar. It also has as focus on how cancer care ministry helps to support the physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and social impact of cancer.
This webinar was led by Dr. Sharon T. Hinton DMIN, RN-BC, MSN. Dr. Hinton has more than 20 years experience in nursing and is the Executive Director of Rural Nurse Resource, Inc. Sharon has been a faith community nurse (FCN), educator and coordinator for fifteen years and is board certified in the specialty practice of faith community nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is a FCN specialist for the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, is a member-for-life of the National Health Ministries Association and the author of the “Nursing in the Church” column for the Journal of Christian Nursing. Sharon’s educational background includes a Masters Certificate in Pastoral Studies and a Masters of Nursing Degree specializing in parish nursing from St Joseph’s College of Maine as well as a Doctorate of Ministry in Global Health and Wholeness from Saint Paul School of Theology.
Learn more about this on-demand webinar.
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Seeking God via Google (Practical Resources for Churches)
This on-demand webinar shows you how your church or ministry can connect with people through Google.
Born a geek, Christopher Harris coded his first church website in 1997. In 2003 he entered Seminary, concluding his M.Div studies just as social media reached a tipping point when Facebook opened its site to the public. Via his company, Faith Growth, Christopher and his team help churches move to a digital-first mindset, whether helping to develop a new website, implement smart social media practices, or develop a comprehensive plan to effectively engage and grow church communities online.
Learn more about this on-demand webinar.
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Using Advent and Christmas Symbols in Sunday School (Practical Resources for Churches)
This on-demand webinar looks at some of the most important of these symbols, their meaning and history, and then suggest specific Sunday school activities focusing on these symbols. Activities include crafts, music, drama, food, and more.
It was led by Debbie Kolacki, a Certified Christian Educator and Certified Lay Servant in the United Methodist Church. Her blogs include FaithGeeks and Practical Resources for Churches. She is also an online instructor for BeADisciple.com. Debbie is the senior consultant for Practical Resources for Churches where she works with people in all areas of ministry and leads webinars, workshops, and retreats.
Learn more about this on-demand webinar about Advent and Christmas
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Close Encounters of the Worshipful Kind: Ways to E-value-ate Your Worship (Practical Resources for Churches)
Dr. Marcia McFee has been consulting with churches for 20 years on revitalizing their worship. For Marcia, to “evaluate” our worship is to find out what we “value” so we can have more of it. Learn ways to evaluate without the dreaded survey! She will share the top 5 things that most churches can do to enhance their worship right away–no matter the size of church or style of worship.
Register to view this on-demand webinar about worship
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Worship Can Be Meaningful for All the Generations (Practical Resources for Churches)
This on-demand webinar proposes churches to rethink children in worship and find ways to create meaningful worship inclusive of all the generations.
Leader: Ivy Beckwith
Ivy Beckwith is a Faith Formation Team Leader for the United Church of Christ. She is a speaker, consultant, and author of “Children’s Ministry in the Way of Jesus” (with David Csinos), “Postmodern Children’s Ministry,” “The Ultimate Survival Guide for Children’s Ministry Workers,” and “Formational Children’s Ministry.” Ivy grew up in Guilford, Connecticut, about 90 miles outside of Manhattan. She holds a BA in English, a Masters of Religious Education, and a PhD in Religious Education and has held educational positions in churches in both the Midwest and on the East Coast.
Register to view this on-demand webinar about worship
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
How to Make Your Worship Service More Engaging for All Ages (Practical Resources for Churches)
This on demand webinar will have a special focus on inter-generational worship and incorporating interactive elements into existing worship services.
Karen Ware Jackson is a dynamic pastor leading worship accessible for all ages at Faith Presbyterian Church, a small but mighty congregation in Greensboro, NC. As the mother of two preschoolers who worship front and center, she knows firsthand the joys and challenges of parenting a child through an entire service while leading an inter-generational congregation. She blogs about parenting, pastoring, and engaging all ages in worship at www karenwarejackson.com.
Learn more about this on demand webinar on worship
Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.
Quick & Dirty Intro to Live Streaming Worship (Practical Resources for Churches)
Discussion in this will includes necessary hardware, hospitality issues (including chat rooms), and whether to upload print content. Christopher Harris also highlights real examples of churches successfully live streaming, and the technical and messaging issues they had to work through.
Born a geek, Christopher Harris coded his first church website in 1997. In 2003 he entered Seminary, concluding his M.Div studies just as social media reached a tipping point when Facebook opened its site to the public. Via his company, Faith Growth, Christopher and his team help churches move to a digital-first mindset, whether helping to develop a new website, implement smart social media practices, or develop a comprehensive plan to effectively engage and grow church communities online.
Learn more about this on-demand webinar about worship