Here 2 Stay

While there is a matrix of reasons as to why young people leave the church and the faith, at the heart of this disturbing statistic and trend is a failure to critically consider what does it take to see young people grow as long term, active followers of Jesus in response to His final command. The current ‘discipling factory’ is turning out defective models and it is time for an urgent rethinking of our strategies.

A large part of our discipling strategy has revolved around the imparting of INFORMATION. While the content of our curricula and programs is important, it cannot, on its own, produce disciples. To this equation we need to intentionally add experiences that focus on FORMATION so that faith goes deeper. The result will be TRANSFORMATION.

What are some of these ‘formational experiences’ that, if integrated into an intentional long term journey with our young people, starting at and before birth, that will cause their faith to go deeper, be more strongly rooted and grounded, and provide a foundation and stability for the turbulent years ahead?

Scripture presumes that faith formation occurs within intergenerational, familial and community settings. It is time to regain these priorities.

This website has been developed to act as a repository for practical ideas centred around the 2 Formational Principles and the 8 Formational Pillars as well as providing access for visitors to the site to upload their own ideas. Together, it is hoped, we can achieve much for the future of our children and young people.