Rebuilding Confirmation

When did we go wrong when it came to Confirmation preparation?  Instead of treating it like a commissioning it’s become a graduation for most people.  Confirmation preparation needs a makeover.

On January 27th, 2017 my newest book Rebuilding Confirmation (Ave Maria Press) will be released.  While the book doesn’t have all the answers to fixing Confirmation preparation it’s goal is to start the conversation on what needs to change.

Rebuilding Confirmation is a book that shares the story of how Confirmation preparation is handled at Church of the Nativity, but also:

DISCUSSES THE PROBLEMS 

It’s easy to name people as the problem.  We want to blame the pastor for not caring, the parents for being over controlling, the youth minister for not taking it seriously and the teenager for being a teenager.  But, what if the problem wasn’t people?  What if it was a system that require a few, simple changes?

This book will address some of the system problems and offer simple solutions to fix them.

LOOKS AT THE TEAM YOU NEED FOR REBUILDING

I know I throw this phrase around a lot but it’s important, “You can’t do ministry on your own.” You need men and women who are going to help you invest in the next generation during this very intense season of their faith.

In the book we’ll talk about who you need, how to recruit and how to support the men and women that will help you grow disciples.

DIVES INTO THE STEPS WE WANT EVERY TEEN TO TAKE

Last thing teenagers need is more class time.  In fact the last thing they need is more information dumped into their heads.  What they need is a model of what a growing disciple of Jesus Christ looks like.

Rebuilding Confirmation will discuss the steps that Church of the Nativity encourages disciples to take and it will show ways that every church can discover which ones fits their model the best.

EXPLORES WAYS TO MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS

While it’s impossible to find a perfect program you can find one that’s going to create more life change.  Developing tools for feedback and growth is important.  This book provides a variety of ways you can determine whether or not what you are doing is working.

Confirmation preparation is an opportunity for committed teenagers to take the next step in their relationship with Christ.  However, if you want to get teens excited about the journey ahead you need to make sure you also create a dynamic youth ministry.

By having an effective youth ministry you create an on and off ramp for teenagers going through the preparation process.

For more on building an effective youth ministry I would recommend reading my first book Rebuilding Youth Ministry first.  Youth ministry isn’t about meeting a requirement it’s about encountering the next generation where they are in their faith journey.  It’s about helping them take the next steps and continuously move towards God.

To pre-order your copy of REBUILDING CONFIRMATION click the button below: