We were still a few months out from Confirmation Mass, but there was so much information missing about our candidates it was proving to be a problem. Instead of reaching out to families to guide them through the process, we were bombarding them with emails requesting something we should have asked for from the beginning.
Confirmation preparation can be labor intensive if you don’t have the right systems in place. To run a successful program, you not only need the right content, but data before any of the catechesis begins. That means, in addition to sponsor, baptismal, and contact information you need to know:
Who is entering into your program
What their faith journey has looked like up until this point
Preparation for Confirmation isn’t just about sharing a few pieces of information. It’s about accompanying people as they open their hearts to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To do that you need trust and to build that trust you need to make sure you focus on getting to know them. While this should happen in preparation, you can get the process started during the enrollment process. And it all begins with:
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
When teens apply to your preparation, you want to know what they are facing. It’s essential to learn what has been successful and where they still struggle. To gain this information, we ask them to write a 500-word essay or record a short 3-minute video answering the question:
What’s the single biggest challenge you face when it comes to growing in your faith?
But, it’s not just the teens we want to know more about; it’s essential to get to know the parents and what their background in faith has been. You cannot assume that parents who want their teens to receive the Sacraments have a clear picture of how to raise their kids in the faith. So, to allow us to assist parents, we ask a similar question:
What’s the single biggest challenge you face when it comes to sharing your faith with your teens?
We have them answer the question in video or essay form, and we look to see if there are common threads between what their teenagers say and what they say as parents. This question allows us to know the strengths and weaknesses of our candidates. With that information, we can create a stronger program because we’re learning about those we are trying to serve.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO PROCESS THE ANSWERS
As you capture the information, it’s essential to give yourself the margin to process it. Too many times, we hold registration, host a meeting, and begin preparation without honestly answering the question, “Who are we trying to serve?” If you take the advice above and start asking personal items, you need time to look at how their answers shape your program.
If you have a group of candidates who don’t have a personal relationship with Christ, you need to cater your program to meet those needs. If you have a group of teens who are not actively involved in service, it’s essential to introduce them to those opportunities. While certain tenants belong in every Confirmation preparation, you want to make sure you are providing resources that keep your specific community engaged and growing.
To give yourself the time to process the answers, create an enrollment process that allows you to review the applications. Discuss each candidate with your team and find a way to make sure people are in the right groups and receiving the correct information. It’ll take time but allow for a better and more authentic process.
EQUIP YOUR TEAM TO RESPOND TO A PERSON AND NOT CONTENT
To take on enrollment on your own is a lot of work. Even if you have an administrative team to help, you process the paperwork you need people who are going to help you review essays, meet with candidates, and place them in the best possible community. A team of leaders can also help you interact with parents and candidates who will have plenty of questions as the program begins. Instead of giving families an FAQ sheet provide them with people who can not only answer their questions but calm any feelings of anxiety moving forward.
Confirmation is more than the enrollment process; however, how you begin will set the tone for the rest of the preparation. Make sure you gather the right information, learn more about your audience, and strengthen your capacity to create a program that represents the authentic love of God.
What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to starting your Confirmation program off on the right foot?
Are you looking to revamp your Confirmation program? Check out Rebuilding Confirmation HERE or enroll in Marathon Youth Ministry University’s Rebuilding Confirmation course HERE