I love Confirmation

One of the great joys of being a pastor is teaching confirmation. Early in my ministry, i heard a number of pastors bemoan the fact that they had to teach confirmation. They complained about kids not being attentive and about parents that didn't care.

It amazed me that any person who puts on a collar and calls themselves a pastor could so freely detest any opportunity to teach the faith, let alone one that involved sharing the Good News with young people.  I can readily admit that there are three areas of ministry that i enjoy the most: 3. teaching adult confirmation, 2. Preaching the Gospel and 1. Share God's word with adolescence.

Let me assure you teaching confirmation is work; hard work. It can't be taught the same way as you teach adults. When teaching kids it is imperative to understand where they are in the intellectual development. They are programed to think in 12 minute intervals (the average time between commercials). They are very visual and they are used to sensory input. And for the most part they are thirsting to be acknowledged, appreciated and loved.

Preparing a lesson for confirmation means building "commercials" into the lesson. That can be a small story, or a skit, or sometimes i just have the kids stand up and do some exercises. It can be anything to let their mind take a quick break. Then return to the subject. The use of media can be a blessing to a confirmation class, as long as it doesn't become a crutch. Power point, music, videos clips all stimulate that part of that is programed for sensory input. But perhaps the most important lesson i have learned over the years of teaching confirmation, is to be intentional about affirming and acknowledging each and every student. It is amazing how kids will respond to a high five and a smile, or an arm around their shoulder, a question about their day or even some good natured ribbing, depending upon the kid. 

Loving confirmation begins with being loved by God, and seeing every student through the eyes of our Lord, who said, "Do not hinder these little ones from coming to me."