Covenant News

Four Confirmation Modules Slated for Early Release

CHICAGO (June, 2000) - The first four modules for year one of the new Covenant confirmation program D/C are expected to be available in early July for churches desiring to begin the new program this fall.

The material will be available in unfinished, raw text form, according to Steve Burger, director of children's and family ministries for the Department of Christian Education and Discipleship of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The full, finished program is scheduled for release at the 2001 Midwinter Conference in Chicago.

"The early release of the first four modules responds to requests from churches eager to begin the new series this fall," Burger said. The first four modules should provide adequate material to support confirmation classes until the complete, finished package is released during Midwinter next February, Burger noted.

The material will be provided without charge with the understanding that an individual church will commit to purchasing the finished material when it is released. Burger reminded churches ordering the modules that it will be the responsibility of the church to make the appropriate number of copies for their students. The modules may be ordered by calling Covenant Resource Center at 800-338-IDEA. A sample of the material may be found by visiting the Covenant website home page at www.covchurch.org.

The new name, D/C, stands for both discipleship and confirmation. "It serves a dual role," Burger said. "It is confirmation, but the emphasis is on discipleship," he said. "Even if a particular church has no history of confirmation programs, this material will serve as a good discipleship training tool," he added, noting that the material also is appropriate for individuals other than traditional junior high school age groups.

The appearance and structure of the material also reflects a new approach. Students will receive spiral-bound journals for both years one and two, rather than textbooks. "The journals contain daily devotionals with the idea we will help students foster a deeper relationship with Christ through being in his Word daily," Burger said. "Parents serve as mentors, spiritual leaders for the youth involved in D/C." Leader guides will also be part of the finished package.

Burger said many confirmation leaders are asking for recommendations on appropriate bible translations to use with the new material. "The recommended bible is the New Living Translation (Tyndale), which is written at a reading level for junior high," Burger said. A reference edition of that translation is also available. Both bibles are available through Covenant Bookstore in Chicago: 800-621-1290.

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