Confirmation Ministry

Confirmation is an important ministry at St. Mark.  Through this ministry we partner with parents to "train a child in the way they should go."  Not only do students review and learn the basics of what it means to be a Christian, students also study the doctrines of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as well as applying it to their daily lives.  We also take them through some basic discipleship classes such as Spiritual H.A.B.I.T.S., S.H.A.P.E., and writing a testimony.

Confirmation instruction is offered to 7th & 8th grade students.  The Catechism is taught in our day school, as well as Saturday seminars.  Students also participate in two retreats and a mini-course.  Students who meet the requirements may choose to be confirmed at the end of 7th or 8th grade.  An early Communion seminar is also offered for 5th grade students who wish to participate in Communion.

Requirements of Students:

 

  • Attend Saturday Seminars (or intensive course offered in June) on the Six Chief Parts of Luther's Small Catechism.
  • Attend two retreats on H.A.B.I.T.S and S.H.A.P.E.
  • Attend mini-course on writing a testimony
  • Attend Early Communion Class (if applicable)
  • Students and parents attend final interview
  • Students must be in worship and Bible class on a regular basis

Note: The way our program is set up, if a 7th grader completes all the requirements in 7th grade, they have the opportunity to be confirmed at the end of 7th grade.

 

Confirmation Intensive Course:
Instead of attending the Saturday Seminars throughout the year, students may opt to take the intensive course, taught by Pastor Meyer, in which the six topics are taught over a five day week.  The next course will be June 14-18, 2010.

Saturday Seminars:
The Six Chief Parts of Luther's Small Catechism are offered as seminars for those students who did not attend the Intensive Confirmation Course in June.  Students must attend those topics which they have not yet attended.  Seminars are taught by Pastor Meyer.  Students must bring a Bible and pencil.  They must also have a Luther's Small Catechism (which are available for a small fee).  Seminars are from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.   

Retreats:
The H.A.B.I.T.S. Retreat teaches six spiritual habits which help keep our faith going and growing.  The habits are: hang time with God, accountability, Bible memorization, involvement in the church, tithing, and studying Scripture.  Students learn the habits as well as practice them.  The challenge is to pick one or two to work on following the retreat. 

This retreat (led by SRTM staff) will be held at St. Mark.  The retreat begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, and ends at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2009. A parent must attend the last 1/2 hour. 

There is a cost of $30 which covers meals, programming and materials.

The S.H.A.P.E. Retreat helps students discover their God-given shape.  They look at their spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences and put them together like a puzzle.  Students brainstorm ways to use their shape for God in ministry and are challenged to pick one or two ways and do them.

This retreat (led by SRTM staff) will be held at St. Mark.  The retreat begins at 7:00 p.m. on January 22, 2010 and ends at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2010.  A parent must attend the last 1/2 hour.

There is a cost of $30 which covers meals, programming and materials.

Please Note:  There are no make-up sessions for these retreats.  These are the only times they are offered. 

Testimony Mini-Course:
This mini-course is designed to give a brief overview of what a testimony is and how to write one.  Youth Minister, Tom Chester will guide parents and students through the testimony manual... the work will be done at home with parent supervision.  Tom will look over the draft at the final interview and may make suggestions for change.  The student will ultimately give their testimony at the Confirmation worship service.

The mini-course will be held at St. Mark, in the Pit Stop on March 9th, from 7:00-8:00 p.m.  This is for all students being confirmed in May.  A parent must attend with their student.

Final Interviews:
Students desiring to be confirmed must go through a final interview.  A parent must also attend.  Students and parents will meet with Pastor Meyer for 30 minutes in which Pastor will evaluate the student's knowledge and life application.  Then students and parents will meet with Tom Chester to go over their final draft of their testimony and also talk about the discipleship courses they have taken and their future involvement in SRTM (Solid Rock Teen Ministry).

The interviews will take place sometime between April 15 and April 27, 2010.

Confirmation Day:
Those students who have met the requirements outlined above will be eligible to become confirmed members of St. Mark.  The Confirmation Worship will take place May 2, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.