For decades, researchers have been studying the qualities that mark a maturing Christian faith. From the Search Institute’s early work in the 1980s to more recent insights from Barna Research, consist...  Read More

The first element of lifelong faith formation is establishing a clear vision of maturing in Christian faith. Faith is a gift from God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and formed over time in families, rela...  Read More

By Jim LaDoux “Lectio,” it is often called, is an ancient practice of reading the Bible and praying. It is a practice that assumes God’s Holy Spirit inspires the Scriptures and that the Holy Spirit al...  Read More

By Jim LaDoux Interviewing families about their background, family and faith traditions and hopes for their children provides faith formation leaders with a deeper understanding and appreciation of th...  Read More

By Jim LaDoux Ask people in your congregation about when they have felt most spiritually alive. Write down some notes you can share with your team.Here is a possible introduction to your conversation:...  Read More

Here's a list of 20 common mealtime prayers that families can use at the dinner table:1 - "Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord...  Read More

A great way to pray is to look for God's presence in your life. More than 400 years ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged prayer-filled mindfulness by proposing what has been called the Daily Examen....  Read More

Surface to Soul is about helping people go deeper. Grow deeper faith. Build deeper relationships. Engage in more meaningful conversations. Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of one one anoth...  Read More

Most Christian parents have a strong desire to raise their children who will live and love like Jesus.  As a parent of two college-age boys, my desire is for them to find ways to experience God in dai...  Read More

Kenda Creasy Dean, a professor at Princeton’s theological seminary, published a book called Almost Christian: What the Faith of our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church that explores the emerging ...  Read More

These foundational characteristics are drawn from research of faith maturing in young people and from the wisdom of the Christian leaders engaged in faith formation with children and adolescents. They...  Read More

Before a home is built, an architect is needed to create blueprints that the construction workers will use to make people's dreams a reality. Blueprints provide the structure and details that move the...  Read More

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 ESVThe Sabbath moments of the soul are those brief glimpses we all have of unexpected wonder, unlooked for su...  Read More

Most church leaders have a deep desire to help people become lifelong Christ-followers but usually have a pretty fuzzy of what that looks like and how to help people become more like Jesus everyday.  ...  Read More