Have you ever wanted to ask a question in church, tell a story, ask for prayer, comment on the sermon, list your favourite hymns, have a child who wants a piece of paper to draw a picture, and not had a chance to do so? There is a Faith Blog for that.
A Faith Blog (journal) is a lined school-like exercise book that is placed in the pew racks in the church. A congregation noticed a need to provide a way for people to pose questions, articulate faith, theologically reflect, and share with others. The Blogs encourage the community to become more intimate with each other. In the front of each Faith Blog is an introductory page that describes the purpose of the book and encourages people to write/draw in it --- whatever they wish to share. Each week the bulletin contains a suggestion for possible reflection: write about a favourite Sunday school teacher, what is your favourite hymn and why, who taught you the Lord’s Prayer, a funny moment that happened in church, a time you cried in church…
From time to time the Blogs are used for activities during Bible Study, adult forums, or confirmation class. It lets the congregation see what participants in study groups and confirmation are learning.
There are some people who do not use the Blogs -perhaps they were never taught how to engage in theological reflection- others are learning how. The congregation uses the Faith Blog as a tool for practicing the articulation of faith. Another example that mentors sharing one’s faith journey via journaling, happens on confirmation Sunday. Confirmands are invited to write a blog for a special insert in the confirmation bulletin. Each is invited to write a piece about God, church, Bible, or what was learned in confirmation; a blog reflecting on the Small Catechism question: what does this mean for us?