This interview was conducted with Sharon Ely Pearson, a Christian formation specialist who works with Christian educators in Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Methodist, Lutheran and Roman Catholic Churches. With more than 30 years’ experience at parish, diocesan, provincial and national levels, she also co-edited the newly published Prayer Book Guide to Christian Education, 3rd Edition, with Robyn Szoke. Sharon works for Church Publishing Incorporated, New York-based publisher for the Episcopal Church, and its affiliate, Morehouse Education Resources, in Denver.
Tell us then, is Christian Formation, or what was once called Sunday School, for children only?
Christian formation is lifelong, so it includes all ages. This is occurring across denominational lines, and is not new to Christianity. It is reclaiming the understanding of how Christians were “formed” in the early church. Sunday School is no longer seen as a separate component of education just for children. We like to use the term, “Christian formation” to describe the continual lifelong process of deepening one’s understanding of his or her faith.
In the Episcopal Church, it involves all aspects of our life together–worship, service to others, mission, pastoral care, evangelism, fellowship and education. Education is comprised of learning and reflecting, integrating holistically all of our experiences with God’s Word, connecting faith and daily life.
Where did the term “Sunday School” originate?
The term “Sunday School” originated with Robert Raikes, a devout Anglican layman, (1736-1811) who started a movement of prison reform and education of offenders and poor children. The purpose of the school was to teach poor children (in “Soot Alley”) the rudiments of learning on Sunday, their free day. Of course, the Bible was their textbook; and from the movement the idea of Sunday schools spread to the Baptist, Congregational and Methodist churches throughout England. In 1803, the London Sunday School Union was created. It was also brought to America, and in 1824 the American Sunday School Union was formed in Philadelphia. It was, and is still today, characterized by strong missionary and evangelistic zeal. There continues to be a Unified Lessons Series curriculum, though this is not usually used in Episcopal Churches.
So, what is the official curriculum used for Christian formation for Episcopalians?
The Episcopal Church does not have a “mandatory” or endorsed curriculum for all to use. Holy Scripture (The Old and New Testaments) and “The Book of Common Prayer” ground us in study. We are the curriculum–individually and our congregations together in all we say and do, as well as what is implicitly stated in how we shape our environment and provide hospitality.
Remember, Christian formation is not just about memorizing doctrine, Bible verses, a Catechism and certain prayers; it is about developing a relationship with God, and living out Jesus’ commandments in the world, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, and with all your mind, and all your strength …You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (
Episcopalians are called to live out The Baptismal Covenant, which many consider the foundation of our lives together and which guides us to live out our ministry in the world. All churches are called to use this as a foundation for our life together, including our educational programs.
How do you offer teachings on baptism as part of Christian formation?
This Covenant takes seriously our call to be Christ’s ministers in the world at the moment of our baptism. We understand that we are not empty vessels to be filled with knowledge, but are known by God and already have a relationship with God, no matter what age.
By virtue of our baptism, we believe we are full members of the Body of Christ. God was present with us at birth, and at baptism we are filled with the Holy Spirit, who continues to remain with us, “marking us as Christ’s own forever” with the sign of the cross on our forehead, one of the outward and visible signs, with water that is exhibited at baptism–regardless of age.
Will you give an example?
An excellent example of how this is experienced in a church setting with children is through a program called Godly Play. This Montessori-approach to children’s formation was developed by The Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman, who understood that children have a desire to learn liturgical language while exploring their relationship with God and Jesus on their own terms. While learning the lessons of the Old and New Testaments, children learn to fall in love with God all over again and again.
The program is child-centered and story-based, using beautiful materials and open-ended wondered questions to allow children to place themselves in the various stories of God’s people. It is a program used in a growing number of churches of many denominations.
So, Christian formation is just for children? It seems so many parents come to a church for the moral, spiritual and religious education of their children. They want their child to have a firm sense of right and wrong.
Christian formation is not just for children. It is a lifelong process in which all of us are continually learning and growing in our relationship with God.
At the Episcopal Church’s triennial gathering this July in Anaheim, one of the pieces of legislation will include a Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation. Patterned after The Children’s Charter for the Church passed in 1998, this document will highlight the importance of education and formation for all ages.
There is a hunger within church members to better understand how to read Scripture and apply it to today’s world. There is a hunger to learn spiritual practices to keep one grounded in the midst of a busy lifestyle. There is a desire for intergenerational methods of engaging each other, understanding that elders have much wisdom to share, children are often prophets calling us to see God in the world, and all ages in between make up the whole people of God.
Many adults in our society today were not brought up in a religious tradition or had a bad experience as a child with the institutional church. So, when their own children start asking existential questions about God, Jesus and the meaning of life, they turn back to the church for assistance. While many are looking for “education” for their children, they also are hungry for a deeper spiritual life and connection to the holy.
Our world today is very fragmented, and our lives are like a gerbil running on a wheel. The church provides a community of faith in which one can slow down and be renewed and fed.
As we end this part of our article-interview, tell us something of your title, whom you work for, as well as something about what published materials are offered by Church Publishing Incorporated on Christian formation.
My title is as the Christian Formation Specialist for Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI), the publisher for the Episcopal Church.
CPI publishes books on prayer, faith in the world and other topics of interest to those lay and ordained. We publish “The Book of Common Prayer,” various Episcopal hymnals and many resources.
I also work closely with one of its divisions, Morehouse Education Resources, which publishes curricula and educational materials for the Episcopal Church and other denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church. These include the original lectionary-based curriculum, Living the Good News, as well as Godly Play books and materials, All Things New and many more. Confirm not Conform, a groundbreaking confirmation program for youth that was developed by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Oakland, Calif., is also part of their resources.
Godly Play and Confirm not Conform exemplify the “cutting edge” in the area of Christian formation and education.
Are all the people you help Episcopalians? If others, give me a couple of examples, please.
Morehouse Education Resources publishes curricula and sacramental resources used by many denominations. I participate with APCE, the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators, the National Association for Episcopal Christian Education Directors, as well as many educators from the United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), and Roman Catholic Church.
Note: Sharon Pearson travels extensively, offering workshops and consultations to congregations in need of training and program planning support. She also produces a free, monthly e-newsletter, Living IN-Formation, and maintains the Resource Room. Readers may contact Sharon through Bill Falvey, wfalvey@cpg.org.
