Looking back at my experiences at the National CEF
Conference, I am struck by the tension between the old and the new. The
organization itself is living out that tension – changing the name from
Christian Educators Fellowship to Christians Engaging in Faith Formation and
moving the structure from Chapters to Communities of Practice.
The workshops and conference activities also reflected the
tension between the old and the new. Melanie Gordon and Michael Gordon explored
ways to welcome children back into corporate worship. Rosemary Brown included
the age old practice of storytelling in her Bible studies. While other
workshops explored designing ministries with internet startup techniques and
using modern marketing techniques to promote ministries.
On the last day news of the next
conference was announced. We will be returning to Nashville with a new format
to be announced later.
Clearly, some are struggling with
change, while others are ready to jump into new ways without looking back. What
is needed is a balance – keeping old practices that are still effective while
being open to new ideas which can add new life to ministries.
Dena Kitchens
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