Church from the future

Subproject: Faith formation in a networked society

The faith formation of children and young people is one of the core tasks of the Christian congregation. But the church does not carry this task alone. Parents, teachers, youth leaders, grandparents, camp leaders, influencers, and ministers all contribute to it. In practice, this collaboration proves to be complex. Different ideals, expectations, and ways of believing come together. Moreover, many of these (co-)educators do not know one another. How can the church play a connecting and guiding role within this dynamic?

Aim of the research

This study seeks to contribute to a renewed self-understanding of the church in its role in the religious formation of children and young people. It focuses on the question of how churches collaborate with others in this process. We examine which ideals shape this collaboration and how the network surrounding children and young people in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands takes shape with regard to religious formation. In doing so, we aim to foster shared responsibility and strengthen cooperation.

Research method

This research consists of two phases. In the first phase, we seek to understand and explain the dynamics among the adults involved in the faith formation of children and young people. To this end, we map the networks of various children and teenagers and ask these networks about their educational ideals and their awareness of the dynamics with co-educators. The second phase involves participatory action research. Within Communities of Practice, educators explore how, in all their diversity, they can strengthen one another or collaborate effectively.

Researchers