Confirmation Ministry 2007-2008

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

Zion Lutheran Church, Hopkins, Minnesota

GENERAL PURPOSE:  To give as broad and in depth view of Biblical principals, the Christian life, church history, and our Lutheran heritage as is possible.

TO EQUIP DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST BY:

     a. Renewal of their Baptismal covenant.

     b. Instruction in the basics of Biblical principles and Lutheran, Christian teachings as drawn from the Bible.

     c. Helping students to confess their faith daily in their words and actions.

     d. Helping students understand the Lord's Supper so they will always receive it as a blessing rather than a curse.  (1 Corinthians 11:27)

     e. Recognizing the end of childhood instruction and their readiness to assume much of the responsibility of their own Christian growth.

     f. To be received into Communicant membership by the congregation.

PARENTS:  "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) ...and other passages of Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:7-9) make it clear that the primary responsibility for the child rests with the parents.  Confirmation is just one part of that on going training of your child.  It is the equipping stage of a young Christian.  IT IS BY NO MEANS GRADUATION!  You are still the major influence in their life and you must continue to encourage guide and direct them in their spiritual development.  Parents are therefore welcomed and encouraged to sit in on any of the classes of their sons or daughters to become acquainted with what is taking place in class.

Statistics clearly demonstrate the need for parental involvement.  A study has shown that:

a.      If BOTH mother and father attend church regularly – 72% of their children remain faithful in attendance.

b.      If ONLY dad attends regularly – 55% remain faithful.

c.       If ONLY mom attends regularly – 15% remain faithful.

d.      If NEITHER mom or dad attend regularly – only 6% remain faithful.

PARENT NIGHTS: A monthly invitation to all parents to join their son/daughter to follow their child through the evening confirmation schedule. Several times a year the total group of parents will meet with the pastor to discuss parental concerns and share parental tips.

THE CHURCH:  The church and its ministries exist to help the parents carry out their responsibilities.  God did not intend the church to replace the parent's influence and importance.

STUDENTS:  The student has the responsibility to submit willingly to the authority and leadership of parent and church.  "Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." (Colossians 3:20)

PASTORS:  In general, the Pastor's role is to "equip the saints for the work of ministry for the building up of the body of Christ...to mature manhood...so that we may no longer be children."  (Eph. 4:12-16) This means that he (they) are responsible for seeing that opportunities are provided to instruct the child in Christian knowledge, faith, and life.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1.   Attend class sessions and scheduled learning events (lock-ins, retreats).

2.   60% attendance at weekend worship services for the three-year period.

       (Including summer. The student is to sign the confirmation attendance sheet in the

       Gathering Area every week. If you attend a church other than Zion, bring a bulletin

       with your name on it from the church you attended.)

3.   Complete twenty (20) “Worship Notes” sheets per calendar year (Sept-Aug).

4.   Satisfactory reciting from memory a Bible passage per week to parents.

       (30 per school year, September – April) *

5.   Satisfactory reciting from memory in class the six chief parts of the Catechism

      over the three year period of classes (two parts per year).

6.   Cooperative attitude toward class work, homework, memory work, instructors

      and class members.

7.   Satisfactory completion of assigned work.

8.   Serve as an Acolyte throughout the Confirmation program.

* (#4) Parent is to assign, listen to, and record one Bible memory passage a week recited by the student.  The passage may be selected from the list provided or directly from the Bible. When the student has recited the passage to the parent’s satisfaction the parent signs the WEEKLY BIBLE PASSAGE MEMORY sheet. The sheets will be collected during small group time each week.

STUDENT & PARENT COVENANT: The participants in the program are asked to sign a covenant (agreement) at the beginning of the program year indicating their willingness and desire to fulfill the goals and requirements of the confirmation ministry.

CLASS SCHEDULES: Wednesdays - One session per week from 6:15-8:00 pm. Class sessions begin with a large group opening in church from 6:15-6:30 pm. During Advent and Lent classes begin in church with the congregational worship service at 6:30 pm.

RETREATS & GATHERINGS:  

1. A Fall get acquainted “Gathering” is held for 6-8^th grade students.

2. An overnight fall retreat for 9^th graders is held to allow the confirmand a concentrated time of preparation for Confirmation weekend at the end of October.

MEETING PLACE: After the large group opening in church (6:15-6:30 pm) all classes will be held in the Fellowship Hall (downstairs of church). The Small Groups will meet in assigned classrooms in the educational wing following the large group time.

MATERIALS: Supplies needed by each student.

[1] A personal Bible. (Each student should have his own Bible in which to write margin notes)

[2] A personal Interleaved Catechism.  (Interleaved refers to a book with blank pages between each printed page) The student will take lecture notes and draw illustrations on the blank pages. The Catechisms can be purchased in the church office.

PUBLIC CONFESSION OF FAITH: In place of the traditional "Examination" 9^th grade students will be asked to express their faith publicly during the early (8:30 am) worship service usually on the last weekend of October. 

RITE OF CONFIRMATION: The rite of confirmation will take place during the late (10:50 am) worship service usually on the last weekend of October.  Confirmation is dependent upon the student's personal confession of faith and a reasonable understanding of basic Christian knowledge as explored and learned over a three year class period rather than upon a one hour examination.

SUMMARY:  The goal we have as a congregation is to provide the best opportunities for each child to reach mature Christian discipleship.  When parents, congregation, and students work together with this goal in mind the church, with God's guidance, is carrying out its task as assigned in the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:31-32)

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