Fréttatilkynning/Press Release

Director General of Church of Norway explores Christian vocation in the family in paper to Porvoo Theological conference in Iceland

The Rev'd Erling Pettersen , Director General of the Church of Norway's National Council has advocated the development of a wide-ranging educational strategy across the Churches of the Porvoo Communion to encourage Christian vocation in families - which Mr Pettersen views as vital for "church families to become redeeming communities and thus sacraments of God's grace" - in a paper to delegates attending the theological conference convened by the Churches of the Porvoo communion, presently taking place in Iceland.

In his paper, Mr Pettersen argues:

We want our children and adults to live confidently in the presence of a gracious and loving God who makes a critical difference for us and the world at large. However, Christian education in our congregations is struggling.

The problem is we have invested a lot of time and energy in a congregational model of how to nurture faith that has overlooked a basic biblical, historical and experiential truth: faith is formed in the context of primary relationships, especially those within our own homes. While recognizing that not all of our children have Christian homes in which to live, we need to recapture a form of Christian education that partners the ministry of home and congregation.

Scripture asserts that the role of family is fundamental to shaping people's values, beliefs and commitments. When Moses exhorts the people to pass on to their children what he had taught them, he does not suggest sending their children to Hebrew school, Sunday school or confirmation class. Rather, he states that God's Word is to be shared with the children 'When you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise'.

Martin Luther appreciated family life for its role in teaching the faith. The Small Catechism was written for the home. All this is very different from how parents see themselves today. In Western industrialized societies, parents generally assume that their role is chauffeur and time manager: they are to bring their children "to church" and, preferably, on time. However, numerous studies continue to indicate that mothers and fathers are the primary influences on a child's faith. Yet, the way Christian education has been conducted in recent decades, would lead one to believe that parents are quite expendable."

Mr Pettersen argues that indirectly, the family functions as a filter -

This frame of reference is important for the child's interpretation of the influence of all later sources.It is not just a matter of whether children obtain information in the form of words about God in their home environment. It is a matter of whether they have the opportunity to discover religion in practice, to experience God as a living 'thou' whom they may approach in prayers, hymns, and other forms of religious worship. This does not mean, of course, that such religious experiences necessarily will lead to religious commitment.

Going on, Rev Erling Pettersen outlines four key elements for encouraging a life of faith in the home:

1. Caring conversation
2. Devotional life in the home
3. Family service projects
4. Family rituals and tradition

Practical methods suggested by Mr Pettersen for encouraging action in the home in relation to these four points include:

• Caring conversation: "Questions, conversational opening and activities that initiate caring conversation can be made a part of Christian education in the congregation and applied to our daily lives at home.A delightful exercise to do with adults, youth, or in a cross-generational group is to ask, 'Where is the holy ground of your lives? that is, 'Where do you have those conversations where memorable, intimate dialogue takes place - conversations that convey the peace, hope and faith that God gives to your life?'"
  
• Studying the bible as part of the devotional life of the home
  
• Praying the faith and teaching congregations what this means by offering wisdom of the faith and transform it into prayers, table graces and so on and encouraging families to bring scriptures, hymns and blessings into the home - family services.
  
• In relation to developing family rituals and traditions, Mr Pettersen encourages action saying:

  In an age aware of holistic approaches to life, we need to acknowledge that we do not just believe our way into action but act our way into believing.What we hear is often lost to memory. What we do that serves our neighbour is often etched in our memories with the power to edify faith.A Christian education program can help homes identify routines that shape their family values, commitments, and beliefs. It can help families develop traditions and ritual patterns in a conscious way that are consistent with their professed values, commitments and beliefs.

In closing Mr Pettersen says:

Whatever we do in our education ministry, our goal is to nurture and awaken the faith of the baptized children of God.One of the most serious tasks of the Church at large is to help its member families to be the body of Christ within the home - to become settings where unconditional love, affirmation, challenge to accountability, and forgiveness are known; to learn and share rituals, symbols, and stories of faith; to recognize and claim their special gifts and mission in the world.

END Sunday, 26 September 2004