The Office of Christian Formation seeks to honor the unique gifts, challenges and opportunities that come with every age and stage in a person’s lifetime of faith formation. We introduce and provide resources for essential Christian practices that can be followed by churches, in families, by individuals young and older, in communities, small groups, classrooms and retreats. The following resources come from our office, departments within the Presbyterian Mission Agency, other agencies within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and our partner associations.
Quicksheets are 2-3 page PDF’s full of ministry ideas and links to other resources on a variety of topics in the area of Christian Formation. In addition to our Quicksheets we have recently added two additional resource types. Compass Points are 3-4 page PDF’s which offer a guide for faith in practice on a particular formation topic. Resource Roadmaps are 2 page PDF’s which offer short notes on big topics in the format of links and lists. We offer the following resources to support leaders and congregations:
Leadership Resources
- Post Pandemic Pondering and Planning – A Resource for Faith Re-Formation
Are you pondering and evaluating how your faith community will move into post-pandemic relationships and programs? This resource provides guided opportunities to brainstorm, reflect, act and pray about how to re-form into your community’s future using a creative format. There are questions and creative space for reflection provided. (Created in partnership between the Office of Christian Formation and APCE) KOREAN | SPANISH - What Next?
What Next? A creative tool to help ministries and communities of faith re-imagine our programs and life together. This tool will help you identify and discern creative new approaches, new ministries and new ways of being the big C church in a post-pandemic age with an eye to outreach and the surrounding community. This is appropriate for all different kinds of ministry contexts and communities including camps, preschools, campus ministry, outreach programs, and worshipping communities. This is intended for group work over several sessions or a one longer gathering. (Created in partnership between the Office of Christian Formation and RootedGood. - Re-Formation Resource Roadmap
This Resource Roadmap includes links for articles, evaluation tools, hybrid ministry, and technology for post pandemic planning and re-formation. - Trauma Informed Ministry
Trauma informed pedagogy is not a packaged program or a step-by-step curriculum. Rather, it intentionally integrates the six principles of trauma-informed care into our educational ministries as we create and adapt in new environments. - Scattered Church
Scattered Church includes resources to help congregational and new worshiping community leaders consider both theological and practical issues when reimagining the ways we gather as disciples of Jesus during this time of the Covid Pandemic and Re-Entry.
Current Webinars and Training
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- Faith at Home Lent Practices Webinar with Traci Smith
- February 24 at 2:00pm Eastern Register Here
- This is a webinar with author and pastor Traci Smith who will talk about simple practices for at-home faith formation during Lent. We will also release 6 short videos for use by your households that highlight the faith practices of storytelling, hospitality, service, prayer and retreat which are in our Faith Practices Toolkit. Traci’s newest book is Faithful Families for Lent, Easter and Resurrection. In addition, Presbyterians can fill out this google form to receive a promo code from our Office to purchase one pack of 5 or one pack of 10 copies of Traci’s book at 50% of the list price so that you can get them into the hands of families and households.
Intergenerational Ministry Resources
Intergenerational Formation
Children’s Ministry Resources
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- NEW – Children and Anti-Racism Toolkit
- NEW – Creating Space for Children and their Families in Worship
- NEW – Simple Practices of Prayer at Home
- NEW – Tips for Incorporating Faith At Home – Creating Sacred Moments
- NEW – Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible and FlyAway Books – Tips for Engaging
- Supporting Grieving Children
- Supporting Grieving Children Amid Loss: Activities for Children
- Supporting Grieving Children Resource Roadmap
- Church Family Moment
- Grandparents, Godparents and Faith
- Lessons from the Table: 5 Communion Lessons
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Youth Ministry Resources
Each of these links sends you to a complete list of Quicksheet links on the topic below.
Youth Quicksheets Index
Young Adults/Collegiate Ministry Resources
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- NEW – Planning a Retreat for College Students
- Spiritual Emotional Care: Essential Tools
- Returning to “Normal” Post Pandemic: Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Grief with Students
- Exploring Spiritual Practices with College Students
- Connecting with UKirk Collegiate Ministries
- What’s Next After Youth Ministry
- Being Grounded, Campus Ministry and Mental Health
- Mental Health Issues on College Campuses
- Celebrating the LGBTQA+ Community
- Guide for Maximizing Social Media Use
- How to Help Students Articulate Their Values
- Worship Themes and Sermon Series
- How to Start a UKirk Ministry
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Adult/Older Adult Ministry Resources
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- NEW Bending the Moral Arc Resource
- Mental Health Matters: An overview of mental health issues that affect older adults. (Part One)
- Mental Health Matters: Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Part Two)
- Stay Connected Screen Free
- Grandparents, Godparents and Faith
- Supporting Older Adults During COVID-19
- Online Memorial Services
- Grief: The importance and challenging blessing of mourning
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Worship Resources
Special Emphasis Day Resources (Planning Calendar)
Curriculum Resources
The PC(USA) offers a central online store where you can find all PC(USA)-produced books, curriculum and resources in one place.
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- 2021 Curriculum Overview
- Matthew 25 Resource Guide – Here is a guide with books and digital resources for children, youth, and adults around three foci of the Matthew 25 vision.
- The PC(USA) Store is a comprehensive selection of PC(USA) resources that supports age and stage formation.
- The NEW Follow Me Curriculum is for all ages and focuses on faith practices.
- The Thoughtful Christian
- To find a comprehensive list of curriculum, check out the Christian Education and Church Ministries downloadable catalog.
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Quick Link Resource List for PMA and Other Agencies
Each of these is a PDF with quick links to helpful resources available from each of these areas.
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- Matthew 25 Resources and Programs
- Theology, Formation & Evangelism Resources
- Creating Safe Ministries Resources
- Office of General Assembly and Presbyterian Historical Society
- Special Offerings and Mission Engagement & Support (as well as other agency links)
- Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries
- World Mission
- Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministries
