Educating for formative participation in communities of faith

Participation is commonly desired in and out of faith communities. Garnerin g formative participation entails inviting and empowering others to partici pate in shaping and defining a community's identity. A community that invit es formative participation may empower itself to likewise participate in fo rmative ways in its wider communities. Such participation, at all levels, m ay be seen as participation in God's ongoing creation, part of our calling as beings created in the image of a creating God. Formative participation s hould and can be a central goal of education in the church. This article of fers images and possibilities for educating for formative participation.