Congregations are often stuck offering programs that reflect past patterns of learning—typically such patterns resemble a college religion elective, a classroom with the minister as professor and the congregants as students.

Part of your task is helping a congregation switch from an optional program/spiritual expertise model to understanding adult formation as a life-long learning process that includes developing a new language, new community, intentional mission and vision, open communication, flexible goals, supporting leadership, and welcoming conflict. Essentially, Adult Formation provides support for a way of life initiated by baptism or conversion.