The Milestones Ministry Framework
The Milestones Ministry Frame establishes an understanding of the essential work of the church, strategic practices to be engaged by the church, and a description of the outcome of the work of the church. It has emerged over years of research on faith formation, including biblical , theological, and congregational study and actual work with congregations across the United States and in Canada, Australia, Norway, and Sweden. The Frame includes:
- Five Principles of Faith Formation
- Four Key Faith Practices
- Three Characteristics of Christians
Five Principles of Faith Formation
The Five Principles identify the relational nature of the church. This foundational orientation helps congregational leaders see the work of the church beyond the venue of congregational activities. Through a variety of relationships and daily life experiences the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives to form faith. The church that lives as the community of saints includes—but involves more than—a weekly experience in a local congregation. The life and work of the church incorporates the primary life setting of our daily lives at home and work with the more public setting of faith communities in congregations. Using these five principles broadens our understanding of the church and how faith is encouraged and formed.
- Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships – often in our own homes.
- The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and ministry of the home.
- Where Christ is present in faith, the home is church, too!
- Faith is caught more than it is taught.
- If we want Christian children and youth, we need Christian adults who practice the faith with them.
Four Key Faith Practices
The common thread that nurtures faith formation within one’s life journey are the Four Key Faith Practices. These essential faith practices articulate a foundational spirituality that shapes the work of congregations and the lives of Christians. Faith is formed through relationships, and those relationships engage in fundamental Christian practices. These basic faith practices are evident in Scripture, church history, and modern research. It is through such practices that faith is transmitted between the generations and over time.
*The concept of the Four Key Faith Practices comes out of the doctoral work from 1987-1990 of the Rev. Dr. David W. Anderson.
Three Characteristics of Christians
- Authentic
- Available
- Affirming
Three Characteristics for Christians are authentic, available, and affirming through conversations, devotions, service, and rituals and traditions that celebrate and foster the Christian faith and life by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is all done in the context of “church” that takes a Christian to areas of ministry far outside the walls of a local congregation, to faith in daily life. These three characteristics are those of a person who seeks to live as a disciple of Jesus throughout the journey of life.
Milestones Ministry 