To Confirm and NOT Conform!

Confirmation is a wonderfully open process at Manhattan Beach Community Church. It is a time that the 8th and 9th graders of our church get to set a school year aside and figure out the story of their faith journeys. This year's class was really amazing. Last night (Wednesday, May 18th) they shared their "Statements of Faith" and everyone who attended were proud and inspired by this wonderfully thoughtful group of Confirmands.

This was my introduction to the evening:

"Hello and welcome to our “Statement of Faith” sharing night. So glad you could all make it. Tonight you will hear from 8 super sharp, spiritual, thoughtful Confirmands.
 
We started in October and monthly went through topics such as The Bible, Christian (theological) beliefs, Christian way of life (service, etc), the history of the Christian Church (from Jesus to UGGs), the story of the Cross in the Sand and then lastly had a class where we tackled some general, topical questions and learned we can all be in Christian fellowship and disagree but still love each other!
 
We went to Confirmation Camp. Which was a good time to get away… the humorous stories notwithstanding… I think some of the activities helped us learn about the UCC and about some of the stories Jesus told as Parables.
 
We visited some other churches, even of other faiths, and participated in some service opportunities. It has been a good and eventful year.
 
Tonight marks the last hurdle before Confirmation on Sunday.
 
As with much at MBCC… we value and honor each of our Confirmands individual faith journeys. I have asked them to be honest and personal… given them so thoughts about what topics they might cover… but ultimately since their faith cannot be just MY faith or their parent’s faith retold.
 
They have there own story to tell. And they will tell it tonight.
 
I have stressed throughout this process that this is NOT the end of a journey but just the beginning. I don’t expect someone in 8th or 9th grade to have all of their theology or beliefs “set” in stone, yet. They are exploring and this is a snapshot of where there faith is NOW. This begins the open dialogue I hope between these Confirmands, their families and this church family.
 
I have stressed that my door is always open if they need to talk or have questions in the future they need guidance with.
 
Now we welcome them to the pulpit..."