I'm Formation Director - So?

I’m Formation Director – So?

Have you been willing and able to accept the responsibility of formation director and then asked yourself what do I know about adult learners?

We as professed secular Franciscans have committed our self to ongoing learning but may not fully realize what that may mean for us.  We need to ask, “So What?  So what difference does the teaching of the Church, the teaching of Francis and the message of the Gospel make to the way I live my life?”  As the formation leader, one needs to facilitate time at our gatherings to connect with people and to pose interesting questions for small-group discussion.  To lead effective discussion have an energetic commitment to the topic, create a positive atmosphere, focus on the topic not on oneself, be prepared,  provide a reading ahead of time so that all are familiar with the topic, prepare discussion questions,  be positive when disagreeing,  and share the responsibility.  Adults learn through a variety of experiences so incorporate prayer, quiet reflection, conversation, service, music and stories.  Lectures should include real-life experiences that help illustrate key points.  A variety of approaches and tales of experience will aid the adult learner.

A formation director and the fraternity council make a commitment of time and resources for ongoing formation.  It takes a team to plan evaluate and lead the fraternity formation.  Look to the liturgical year and the Franciscan feasts and memorials and prayer services to include in formation.  Be creative through music, art, reflection and shared conversation.  Schedule the study, communicate the schedule and follow it, while being flexible when topics come up that need attention.  Above all enjoy. 

Look toward the summer and fall of 2016 and participate in the regional formation tool workshops scheduled for Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.  Watch the Regional Tracings for dates and location.

Admonition 7. That Good Works should accompany Knowledge.
The Apostle says, "the letter killeth, but the spirit quickeneth." They are killed by the letter who seek only to know the words that they may be esteemed more learned among others and that they may acquire great riches to leave to their relations and friends. And those religious are killed by the letter who will not follow the spirit of the Holy Scriptures, but who seek rather to know the words only and to interpret them to others. And they are quickened by the spirit of the Holy Scriptures who do not interpret materially every text they know or wish to know, but who by word and example give them back to God from whom is all good. –St. Francis of Assisi