A Snapshot of Today’s Confirmation Class
(Note: These are not necessarily considered best practices and could serve as a means to review what your current practices are and how you might “up your game.”)
- Control and standards are decentralized – Confirmation programs have very little overall denominational control or standards. In the Episcopal Church, some (very few) have diocesan guidelines. Each congregation offers confirmation preparation their “own way.”
- Programs are clergy-centered – Clergy members almost always directly supervise and participate in their congregation’s confirmation programs (97% of all programs). In 25% of all programs, clergy members lead with no other adult involvement. (Our note: Are safe church practices being followed?)
- Settings resemble a school classroom model – There are regularly scheduled classes (45 minutes – 2 hours) that follow a planned curriculum. It coincides with the school calendar (entire year/s, or just fall or spring semester). Programs with alternative approaches are outliers.
- Classes are discussion-based – 96% of programs use the methodology of small group discussion. These may follow a lecture, include Bible study, follow a multimedia presentation, be inquiry-led, or may revolve around a game or other hands-on learning.
- Programs are contextual – Programs are structured around the unique needs of individuals, congregations, communities, and / or students. Class meetings (day, time, program duration is based on the needs of students and families. Programs with the same number of classroom hours may look very different from one another.
- There’s no standard for the number of classroom hours – There is lots of variability due to each congregation’s contextual reality, the decentralized nature of confirmation ministry, and the necessity of a ministry leader to coordinate the program
- There’s no standard for out-of-classroom activity – Some programs have not extra requirements (not even worship attendance) while some require volunteering, retreat/camp attendance, homework, etc.
- There’s inconsistency on enforcement of requirements – For example, some programs have fairly strict standards and requirements to fulfill prior to the confirmation rite. The majority are much less strict or have fairly low standards.
Quick Links
FAQs
History of Confirmation
Confirmation vs. Reception
Meet the Members of the Collaborative
Congregational Profiles
Mentors
Diocesan Connections & Camps
Service & Mission
Formation
Articles
Key Learnings
Today’s Confirmation Class
Rethinking Confirmation (video)
Youth Development
Curricula: Books, Leadership, Prayer, Videos, Websites