As society becomes more and more secular, Craddock explained, we cannot assume everyone is familiar with the church's language, liturgy and Bible stories. And the only way they'll recognize it is if they've been taught. It is difficult to witness to the hope that is within us. Hope can live on one calorie a day. Hope is a miracle, I guess.
Hope is all some people have.
Westerhoff, who currently serves on the staff of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, challenged educators to redefine their task to fit a world in transition. We have reached the end of the Enlightenment era, in which faith was defined as belief in an intellectual truth, Westerhoff said. We have also reached the end of the era of Constantine, when clergy were regarded as leaders in the community and being a Christian meant being a good citizen. The key to making Christians in today's world is formation, in which people participate in the practice of faith within a faith community, Westerhoff said. The church ought to be an educational ministry rather than have one.