Newsletter Articles
Your church newsletter or a bulletin insert are good avenues for communicating with your congregation. Below are articles you can use. New articles will be added periodically, so check back often.
Article 1
Walk On: Passing Our Faith to Future Generations
As Joshua helped God’s people claim the promised land, God gave him many victories. But after Joshua died, a sad thing happened, as we read in Judges 2:10-12 (NIV):
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt.
The people of Israel had forgotten to tell their faith story to their children. They forgot to tell about the God who led them out of slavery in Egypt, the God who led them through the Red Sea, the God who gave them the land they were living in. A whole generation grew up not knowing the Lord.
The CRC’s Year of Faith Formation reminds us that we have the opportunity and the obligation to tell our stories to each other and to our children. All church members need to know who God is—but more than that, they need to know God well. Jesus said that he came to give life and to give it more abundantly. Our aim is that every member of our church should have a life filled with Christ.
One way to accomplish this is to be more intentional about faith formation. Church members ought to experience the full council of God, and that cannot be done only through attendance at worship. Church education, small groups, family ministries, and community-building activities all help us know and experience God. The Year of Faith Formation is a time to look at what we are doing and why we are doing it. We need to tell our children and our brothers and sisters in Christ about the abundant life we have in Jesus.
Article 2
Walk On: Let’s Talk about Faith!
Many Christian families don’t talk about their faith in any real way. Research shows that some parents and their children hardly talk at all, and when they do talk they say things like “Pass the salt.” We can do better than that!
Here are four questions that you can ask at the dinner table, at bedtime, or in the car to help you and your children talk honestly and deeply about the Lord’s place in your life. (Note to editor of church newsletter: There are, obviously, many more than four questions listed here. Choose four that you would like your church members to discuss, or run a series of articles.)
- Name three things you have learned by being a member of our church.
- What is your favorite Bible story? Why?
- Name a person from the Bible that you admire, other than Jesus, and tell why.
- Have you ever given up something for Lent? What did you give up? Why did you do it?
- Name another person who is important to you in your faith walk.
- What item in the church sanctuary has the most meaning for you?
- The Christian faith has lots of symbols. The most obvious one is the cross, but there are also many others. Is there a symbol that has special meaning to you?
- What does “the Lord is my Shepherd” mean to you?
- Have you ever been angry with God? Explain.
- Have you ever told others about your faith? What was that like?
- What do you think is the most important thing to tell someone about being a child of God?
- Are you ever afraid? What do you do when that happens?
- What one question would you like to ask God?
- What one question would you like to as our pastor?
- What is the best part of going to church?
- When do you find yourself thinking about God?
- What part of the worship service is most meaningful to you?
- How do you praise the Lord?
- Has God ever seemed far away? Talk about that time.
- Tell about a time when God was very close.
- Talk about a time when your prayer was answered.
- Was there ever a time when God didn’t answer your prayer the way you wanted?
- If you could live in Bible times, which story would you like to be part of?
- If you could meet someone from the Bible, who would that be? Why?
- What do you think heaven will be like? Will there be animals?
- Did your parents ever talk to you about faith? When?
- Name a song or piece of music that has touched your heart.
- What is your favorite song of faith?
- Tell about a sermon or an event that occurred in your church that you particularly remember.
- What does communion mean to you?
- What does your baptism mean to you?
Article 3
Faith Formation Q&A
What is faith formation?
Faith formation is the process of building a life of faith. It doesn’t take place in an instant; it’s a lifelong journey. Our faith changes and grows through our life experiences, education, and relationship with God.
Why are we talking about it now?
In 2005, synod called on churches to make faith nurture a special focus beginning in the fall of 2007.
Why did they do that?
One reason is that synod’s study committee on church education compared the number of children baptized to the number of young people who made profession of faith 18 years later. For those baptized in the years 1943-45 the numbers were about equal. For those baptized from 1982 to 1985 the number of professions compared to baptisms had dropped to 60%. While there are different ways to interpret this data, it does cause one concern for the many young people who are not making profession of faith and becoming adult members in the Christian Reformed Church.
What happens when this year is over?
By focusing on faith formation for one year, we hope to do a better job of building longterm programs that nurture the faith of our members as well as evaluate what we do well. When this year is over, we hope we have better focus on the faith nurture of our members. This focus could have an impact for generations to come!
Sample Bulletin Announcements
Below are several sample bulletin announcements about the Year of Faith Formation. Put an announcement in your bulletin every few weeks to encourage your congregation to participate in your faith formation programs.
Year of Faith Formation: We use a lot of words every day. Words are important. Our language is a clue to what is important to us, but language also helps shape our thoughts. Talking about your faith helps you and those who hear you.
Year of Faith Formation: We are on a journey that will take a lifetime. This journey of faith is not one that we take alone. It is a journey that takes place within community. Take the time to listen to other church members tell about how God is working in their lives.
Year of Faith Formation: What is your favorite Bible story? When do you feel close to God? How is God working in your life? Our lives are filled with questions. By sharing answers to questions like these we can learn from and about each other.
Year of Faith Formation: A life of faith is not only knowing about God, it is knowing God. If you’re not involved in church education or small groups, consider getting involved. Your faith will be enriched!
Article 4
Prayer at Mealtimes!
When our families gather for meals, we usually offer a prayer before we eat. These mealtime prayers can become perfunctory. Sometimes we rush through the same prayer at every meal, never reflecting on its meaning.
Consider trying these prayers with your family:
- Begin your prayer with praise. Address God and state one thing about him:
"God, you are so awesome. We see your power in all of your creation."
Then thank God:
"Thank you for giving us this good food, a gift from you."
Close with a statement of how we can be more like God.
"Help us to see your power around us all day long. Amen."
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
- Sing this prayer to the tune of the Doxology:
Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored.
These mercies bless, and grant that we
may strengthened for thy service be. Amen.
(Adapted from “Table Graces: Connecting Sung Prayers in Church with Meal Prayers at Home” by Ron Rienstra, Reformed Worship #76)
