From Generation to Generation: The Adaptive Challenge of Mainline Protestant Education in Forming Faith

Synopsis: Mainline Protestant congregations face a profound adaptive challenge. In the midst of significant social cultural and technological change the denominations they represent generally abandoned a view of education capable of maintaining and renewing their faith traditions through their children and youth. New curriculum resources and innovative pedagogical strategies appropriated from the marketplace of religious education options have not met the challenge. A transformation of consciousness is required in congregations seeking a future through their children. It involves the exercise of an ecclesial imagination to reclaim a view of education rooted in the revitalization of their religious traditions in the past and re-envisioning the congregation as a catechetical culture of faith formation. Endorsements: From Generation to Generation begins in lament for all that has been lost in education and spiritual formation . . . and ends by reimagining those tasks and laying out the practices that will form the faith of the next generation. . . . From Generation to Generation makes an important creative and practical contribution to that conversation. --Michael E. Williams Senior Pastor West End United Methodist Church No one has more wisdom about congregational education than Charles Foster and in this challenging book he turns to one of the most urgent questions of all: how can we enable our children to be formed in the Christian faith? He is aware of the obstacles--the shifting religious and cultural landscape troubled denominational structures theological amnesia the decline in intergenerational mentoring--but fortunately he is also able to describe a wise and hopeful path ahead toward equipping children with vital imaginative and courageous faith. --Thomas G. Long Professor of Preaching Emory University Charles Foster makes a compelling argument for the development of catechetical cultures in congregations capable of helping their members to anticipate prepare for rehearse participate in and analyze the heart of the Christian story. His masterful analysis of mainline Protestant churches suggests that unless we can retrieve and re-member the developmental practical and discovery elements of such a culture our congregations will fade even further into irrelevance. --Mary Hess Associate Professor of Educational Leadership Luther Seminary Charles Fosters ecclesial imagination cultural insight strategic savvy and experience as an educator make him the best possible guide for congregational leaders committed to revitalizing Christian belief and practice in the twenty-first century. Congregations face no challenge more crucial than this one. This book will allow them to face the challenge with practical wisdom and well-founded hope. --Dorothy C. Bass Director Valparaiso Project on the Education and Formation of People in Faith Foster invites all of us invested in the life of faith to look forward. He calls on those concerned about Christian formation and education to cultivate capacities of collective ecclesial imagination in churches that can envision the future of congregations through the faith of our children and youth. . . . From Generation to Generation is an insightful resource for the church today and its future and it is an invaluable gift to religious educators. --Joyce Ann Mercer Professor of Practical Theology Virginia Theological Seminary Author Biography: Charles R. Foster is Professor of Religion and Education emeritus at the Candler School of Theology Emory University. He is the author of Educating Congregations project director and lead author of Educating Clergy: Teaching Practices and Pastoral Imagination and coauthor of Working with Black Youth and The Church in the Education of the Public.