West Side Presbyterian Church
Personalized Confirmation Program
INDEX
Goals for Confirmation - Commissioning ...... 2
Roles and Responsibilities ...... 4
The Session ...... 4
The Covenant Partners ...... 6
The Family ...... 8
The Seeker ...... 10
Letter to Covenant Partner (Covenant Partner's Booklet Only) ...... 12
An Overview of the Confirmation Program ...... 13
The First Meeting (Covenant Partner's Booklet Only) ...... 15
:z.
Worship ...... 18
/Worksheet: Acts of Worship ...... 20
VBible ...... ~.!~ •••• ~ •• rr.l.w:;:...... 21
Mission ...... 25
~oclaiming the Good News ...... 28 ~C _
Service ...... 31
Peace, Justice, Freedom and Human Fulfillment ...... 33 ~
,.. Presbyterians
Marks of Membership ...... 35 )y)< c:
Worksheet:
Creeds and Confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) ...... 37
Worksheet:
The Brief Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church (USA) ...... 38
-- New Quality of Life ..!:.l.s ...... 39 ~
Responsibility ...... 42
Worksheet: Why Presbyterians Speak Out on Political Issues ...... 44
-Supporting the Church ...... 45
Worksheet: Time, Money and Talents .....~.~ ...... 48
Special Projects ...... 50
~
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
THE SESSION
The Session is the governing body of the local Presbyterian church
particularly responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Seeker and the proper
conduct of the confirmation-commissioning program. The Session is responsible
for preparing persons for church membership. It examines the faith of Seekers
and votes to receive them as responsible and fully participating members of the
church.
Before the confirmation-comissioning journey, the Session:
- provides an environment in the church that nurtures Seekers and
encourages those who have been baptized in infancy to affirm the vows
taken on their behalf.
provides an environment in the church that nurtures Seekers who have
not been baptized and encourages them to consider a profession of
faith in Christ as Lord and Savior and to be baptized.
seeks to lead the church in its mission functions and to provide
opportunities for Seekers to be involved in mission.
participates in determining what the confirmation-commissioning
journey should be and should accomplish.
provides for leadership and resources for the confirmation-
. . .
commlsslOnmg program.
During the confirmation-commissioning journey the Session:
- is encouraged to appoint some of its members, along with other adults,
as Covenant Partners or sponsors for the Seekers.
- may participate as leaders in the confirmation-commissioning
program.
- provides within the life and work of the congregation a variety of
opportunities to experience and explore faith.
- finds ways to share one's personal faith with Seekers.
- prepares for a meaningful and constructive examination of the faith of
the Seekers.
- participates in the confirmation-commissioning service of worship.
- welcomes Seekers and supports them in being active, participating
members of the church.
After the confirmation-commissioning journey, the Session
- continues to support and encourage the Seekers on their faith
Journeys.
- involves the Seeker in the whole life and mission of the church.
Some questions the Session may ask:
- who are the potential Seekers?
- How shall persons be invited to be Seekers?
- what shall we provide in the total confirmation-commissioning
program?
- Who will be the leaders for this program?
- What does it mean to be a Covenant Partner or sponsor for a Seeker?
- What can I as an individual church officer tell the Seekers about my
faith journey?
- What is a fair an constructive way to conduct the examination of the
Seekers?
- What can we do to help Seekers carry out their commitment as active,
fully responsible members of the church?
GOALS FOR CONFIRMATION-COMISSIONING
Upon completion of the confirmation-commissioning journey, the Seeker will
be able to:
Be baptized or affirm their baptismal vows.
Declare his or her faith.
Accept commissioning to responsible membership, which include a
commitment to:
- proclaim the good news.
- pray and study Scripture and the faith of the Christian church.
- take part in the common life and worship of the congregation.
- explain the purpose and meaning of the sacraments.
- take part in the sacraments.
- respond to God's activity in the world through service to others.
- work in the world for peace, justice, freedom and human fulfillment.
- participate in governing responsibilities of the church.
- live responsibly in personal, family, vocational, political, cultural and
social relationships of life.
_ support the work of the church with money, time and talents.
THE COVENANT PARTNERS
Covenant Partners are persons who become guides in the confirmation-
commissioning journey) particularly as sponsors or "guarantors" for the Seeker. A
Covenant Partner might be a church officer) a teacher) other leader) or any
member who has an interest in being a companion of a Seeker during his or her
journey of confirmation-commissioning.
During the confirmation-commissioning journey) the Covenant Partner will:
- participate as part of the leadership team for confirmation-
. . .
commlsslonmg.
- meet and interact with the Seeker for whom he or she has
responsibility.
- greet and interact with the Seeker at church activities) including
worship.
- share with the Seeker his or her own faith journey and encourage
sharing by the Seeker.
- discuss with the Seeker activities) topics of study) questions) projects
and feelings about the confirmation-commissioning journey.
- listen to the Seeker's questions) concerns and statements of faith.
- help develop the confirmation-commissioning service of worship with
the Seeker.
After the confirmation-commissioning journey) the Covenant Partner will:
- continue to be spiritual guide and companion for the Seeker in his or
her journey of faith) especially during the following year.
- continue to encourage) support and lead the Seeker to complete the
decisions made during the confirmation-commissioning journey.
continue to enable the Seeker to participate actively in the life and
mission of the church.
Some questions the Covenant Partner may ask:
- who may be ready to be a Seeker?
- How can I help develop a meaningful confirmation-commissioning
journey for our church?
- How can I relate in a personal way to the Seeker?
- How can I share my faith journey with the Seeker?
- What can I do as part of the confirmation-commissioning leadership
team?
How can I support a Seeker as they carry out their commitment of
active participation in the life an mission of our church?
THE FAMILY
The family refers to relatives and caregivers who usually have been part of
the guiding force leading the Seeker to the current place of self-understanding and
identity. It might be mother and father, sisters and brothers, grandmothers and
grandfathers, aunts and uncles, or other caregivers who have provided intimate
relationships, family stories and family values, and the love and care that have
been a part of the Seeker's journey of faith.
Family designates those the Seeker will come home to after being in the
confirmation-commissioning journey and with whom these experiences of journey
can be discussed in a warm and supportive setting.
Before the confirmation-commissioning journey, the family:
- provides an environment of exploration and discovery, of wonder and
questioning, that encourages the Seeker to inquire about his or her
journey of faith.
- includes and involves the Seeker in experiences and events of worship
and education at home and at the church that open the doors of faith.
- encourages and supports the Seeker as she or he asks questions and
expresses doubts.
- accepts the continuing responsibility to guide and encourage the Seeker
during the confirmation-commissioning experience.
- attends the church's orientation meeting to find out what the
confirmation-commissioning program is and what is expected of the
Seeker and his or her family or basic living group.
During the confirmation-commissioning journey, the family will:
- help the Seeker recall and reflect on his or her baptism or help the
Seeker to consider the meaning of being baptized.
- tell stories, look at pictures and albums and in many ways share faith
journey experiences with the Seeker.
- share their own experiences of being Seekers.
- continue to provide spiritual support and encouragement.
- continue to provide opportunities for questions, doubts, joys and
concerns to be expressed by everyone in the family or basic living
group.
- create and(or continue rituals and family or group celebrations for
sharing joy, faith and gratitude to God.
- participate in the celebration on Confirmation-Commissioning Day.
After the confirmation-commissioning journey, the family will:
- congratulate and celebrate with the Seeker as she or he takes increasing
responsibility for a personal faith journey.
- continue to nurture, share, encourage and grow with the Seeker as the
entire family or basic living group participates actively in the body of
Christ.
Some questions members of the family ask:
- Am I providing an environment in which the Seeker can ask questions,
experience celebrations, share doubts, joys and concerns?
- How can I encourage and support the Seeker at home?
- How can I share of my faith story with the Seeker?
- How can my life of discipleship help the Seeker in his or her growth as a
disciple of Jesus Christ?
- How will I continue my own journey of faith throughout all of my life?
THE SEEKER
The Seeker is a person who is considering confirmation-commissioning on his
or her journey of faith. In traditional terms this person, usually a young person, is
called a "confirmand".
Before the confirmation-commissioning journey, the Seeker:
- begins to explore and discover what a journey of faith is about.
- recognizes persons important to this experience and identifies them as
companions for the journey.
- meets some of the persons who will guide and encourage him or her
during the journey.
- attends a Faith Review Event, an orientation session or a retreat to
discover what the confirmation-commissioning journey will include and
what will be expected.
- accepts the invitation to participate in the journey.
During the confirmation-commissioning journey, the Seeker will:
- recall his or her baptism, or seriously consider being baptized.
- share personal understandings of the meaning of baptism and how
confirmation-commissioning is related to it.
- share expectations and hopes about this part of the journey of faith.
- explore the meaning of membership in the body of Christ and how the
confirmation-commissioning journey relates to this membership.
- explore areas of faith, review what he or she has learned, and gain new
knowledge about God, Jesus Christ, the church, worship, the Christian
Life and the Christian responsibilities in the church and in the world.
- consult with persons chosen to guide and encourage him or her on the
confirmation-commissioning journey.
- decide what he or she needs to do to fulfill the expectations of the
Journey.
- do research, make visits, participate in events and activities, and come
to know persons in the congregation.
- evaluate the extent to which his or her expectations and hopes are
being fulfilled and discover ways to fulfill them.
After the confirmation-commissioning journey, the Seeker will:
- carry out plans made during the journey and continue the journey by
becoming actively involved in the Christian life, in the family, with
friends, in the congregation, in the community and in the world.
- develop spiritually as the journey of faith deepens and the relationship
with God, in Christ, grows and blossoms.
Some questions the Seeker may ask:
- Am I ready to begin this part of my faith journey?
- What must I do to prepare myself for this journey?
- How is my baptism a part of my faith journey?
- How is my baptism a part of the commitment I am considering?
- What will I say in my statement of faith?
- How does my statement of faith explain my understanding of being a
member of the body of Christ?
- How will I live out my understanding of what it means to be a member
of the body of Christ?
- How will I continue my journey of faith throughout all of my life?
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONFIRMATION PROGRAM
The confirmation program is an individualized program designed to assist
each young person to prepare for membership in the Presbyterian Church. Each
Seeker comes into this process at a different point in the faith journey, with
different gifts and liabilities, and with different interests and needs. As the Seeker
and his or her Covenant Partner design the particular program to be followed, it is
to be done with the individual Seeker in mind and with the above stated goals in
mind.
The steps for moving through the confirmation program are:
- Have completed the eighth grade or be fourteen years of age or older.
- Not to be a confirmed member of another church (transfer of
membership is another, simpler process). - Have an interest, however preliminary, in developing his/her faith and in
uniting with the Presbyterian Church. - Have a private meeting with Kent Smith, to discuss the program. This can
be arranged by calling him at the church or home or speaking to him at
any time. These meetings usually last no more than 30 minutes. The
Seeker will also receive, at this time, a devotional book on Luke's Gospel
for personal study and prayer. Following this devotional is not required,
but highly recommended. - A Covenant Partner will then be arranged for and an initial meeting
between Seeker and Covenant Partner will be set. - The first meeting with the Covenant Partner will take at least an hour and
will include getting acquainted, a "faith review" and a preliminary look at
the confirmation notebook. - The Seeker will select six of the ten areas of exploration. Of these,
"Prayer and the Bible," "The Presbyterians" and "Supporting the Church"
are expected to be included. Exception to this rule is through Rev. Smith.
If a particular requirement in an area is not possible or is unreasonable
for a particular Seeker, exception or substitution may be obtained
through Rev. Smith.
- Once the six areas have been completed, the Seeker should schedule
another meeting with Rev. Smith. This meeting will look at the
confirmation vows, and the details of the Session meeting at which the
Seeker will be presented for reception. - Appear before the Session to declare his or her faith and to be received
into the common ministry of the Presbyterian Church.
10. Publicly declare his or her faith at a service of worship. This will include
baptism, if needed.
THE FIRST MEETING
A. Begin with Prayer.
B. who Am I?
The major portion of the event should be spent on activities that
enable the participants to review and reflect on their "life Stories,"
particularly their experiences of faith. The Seeker and Covenant Partner
should tell their own stories, following an outline such as:
- where were they born,
- who their families are,
- if and when they were baptized,
- what they recall of their participation in the church as a child,
- how they have communicated with God,
- any events that made them especially aware of God.
A round of personal sharing could lead naturally to questions and
responses that offer elaboration and extension of the discussion into issues
of faith and growth.
c. When were you/when will you/be baptized?
Confirmation-commissioning relates to baptism. This understanding is
basic to the approach presented in Journeys of Faith and is explained in the
booklet lourneys of Faith: Confirming and Commissioning Young Members of
the Church. During the Faith Review Event, it is important for the young
people to see the connection between what happened when they were
baptized (or what can happen when the are baptized) and what is expected
to happen during the confirmation- commissioning that culminates the
process.
To facilitate a discussion of the meanings of baptism, activities such
as the following can be used:
- Review a baptismal service. Using the order of the service for baptism,
walk through a baptismal service. Discuss the liturgy and events of the
service using the following questions:
- Who participates?
- What does the congregation do?
- Why are infants baptized?
- Why are adults baptized?
The following questions are particularly important:
- who makes promises or vows during baptism?
- What do they promise?
- How does baptism symbolize God's presence in our lives?
- Study a statement on baptism. A statement of what the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) Understands baptism to be is found in the Book of Order
Directory for Worship, Section W-2.3000. Copies of this four-page
statement could be made for reading and discussion by the participants.
As they read the statement, they can mark the text with marks such as "l"
at points that they really like and "t" at points that they do not
understand or have questions about. After reading and marking the
text, some sharing and discussion can take place.
D. What is the Comfirmation-Commissioning journey?
It is crucial that the young people find out what confirmation-
commissioning is and what is expected of those who participate in such a
journey. Activities such as the following will help accomplish this purpose:
- Study a statement on confirmation-commissioning. Given the
importance of a profession of faith and commissioning to responsible
membership, consider reading and discussion Section W-4.2003 of the
Directory for Worship, in the Book of Order. Copies can be made for
the participants to mark. They can discuss the issues and questions
they identify from their reading. Place particular attention on the
profession of faith, renunciation of sin and commissioning described in
the statement. - Consider the "marks of membership". What is expected of church
members is summarized in the "marks of membership" found in the
Book of Order, Form of Government, Section G-S.OI02. It is very
important that the young people understand that members of the
Presbyterian Church are expected to try to fulfill these marks. When
persons are being confirmed and commissioned, they are in effect
promising to become persons who make these marks a reality in their
lives.
Discuss the marks by asking such questions as:
- What vision of the Christian life is conveyed by these marks?
- What are some examples of the ways Christians live out these marks