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.