By Karen De Boer

As someone who develops resources for a living, I get to devote time each week to online

exploration–researching best practices, discovering fresh ideas, and seeking inspiration.

I’m so thankful for this opportunity because on those weeks when I’m engaged in ministry at my

church and my looking-for-ideas time is much shorter than my putting-ideas-into-action time, I

regularly rely on the online finds to save me time.

Here’s a list of my five favourite web-based resources for faith formation. Please add yours in

the comment boxes below!

Worshipping with Children (worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/) Carolyn C. Brown’s site is a treasure trove of ideas for worship which both includes and engages children. The ability to search by topic, lectionary, Scripture, and date makes this site super easy to navigate.

Building Faith (buildfaith.org). This site consistently posts practical ideas from “practioners, lay and clergy, representing diverse background, settings, and denominations.” I especially love the easily accessible information under their Articles tab.

Still Waters, creative worship and prayer station ideas (theresaecho.com/) by Theresa Cho. You know the awe you feel when standing in front of a larger-than-life art installation? This is that. Sometimes I open it to look and dream; sometimes I open it to dream and then do.

 

Faith Formation Ministries’ online toolkits (crcna.org/FaithFormation/toolkits) are curated collections of resources on topics such as: Storytelling, Family Faith Formation, Children’s Ministry, The Intergenerational Church, and more. These collections of resources can spark action, creativity, and real change in your church. And since I know a bit about this web-based collection (#biased) here’s a BONUSrecommendation—bookmark the Faith Practices Project (crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject) for a curated collection of fabulous resources on twelve faith practices.

 

You! Yes, you. Because y’all are amazing, and y’all are online. In addition to the wonderful exchange of ideas on the Hope4CE Facebook pages, I also love to peek at church websites to get a sense of what great faith formation ideas people are trying. Two examples: First Presbyterian Church of Lexington has a Faith Formation at Home page featuring curated faith practice playlists under their More Resources tab. Over at First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, you’ll find the fabulous playlists pulled together by Jenna Campbell on the church’s Faithful Families page. I especially love Jenna’s outstanding collection of Anti-Racism resources for parents.

 

How about you? What are your go-to sites for online faith formation resources, inspiration, and ideas? Add them in the comments.

Author Image

Karen De Boer

works as the Creative Resource Developer for Faith Formation Ministries of the CRCNA. Over the years she has worked as part of a team to shape the children’s ministry curricula Kid Connection and Dwell, published by Faith Alive Resources. She is also the author of the Home Grown Handbook for Christian Parenting and a contributing author/editor for the family devotionals You’re Invited and God’s Big Story cards.