Foundational Books: Adult Faith Formation

Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice
Sharon B. Merriam and Laura L. Bierema (Jossey-Bass, 2014)

Solidly grounded in theory and research, but concise and practice-oriented, each chapter in Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice is  infused with practical applications for instruction which will help readers personally relate to the material. The contents covers: Adult Learning in Today’s World, Traditional Learning Theories, Andragogy, Self-Directed Learning, Transformative Learning, Experience and Learning, Body and Spirit in Learning, Motivation and Learning, The Brain and Cognitive Functioning, Adult Learning in the Digital Age, Critical Thinking and Critical Perspectives, and Culture and Context.

Adult Learning Basics
William J. Rothwell (ASTD Press, 2008)

Adult Learning Basics examines the principles of adult learning theory and how they relate to the training function—addressing individual learning competencies, organizational learning climate, and technology-related issues as they affect the adult learning process. Learn the seven kinds of adult intelligence and the most effective ways to address them. Chapters include: Understanding and Applying Adult Learning Theory, Using Theory to Design More Effective Training, Leveraging Adult Learner Differences, Managing Cultural Differences in Learners, Making Learning Environment a Key to Success, Putting Technology to Work for Learners, Using Proven Facilitation Techniques to Drive Learning, and Reading the Future of Adult Learning. 

Aging Successfully: How to Enjoy, Not Just Endure the Second Half of Life
David P. Gallagher (Wipf & Stock, 2012)

Aging Successfully offers suggestions for greater satisfaction and happiness for people over age fifty. It raises spiritual and emotional issues such as how to deal with depression and gives specific action steps. This book is packed full of practical help; it is a road map for aging, especially during economically challenging days. This practical, easy-to-read book provides wisdom and time-tested counsel for a happy and highly productive second half of life. When Dave Gallagher was considering retirement, he wanted help with financial planning and retirement living options, so he began compiling resources. Dr. Gallagher combines the information he gained with principles that he gained in working with hundreds of people over the years, and compiled them into this book. The principles come from personal experience, research, and helping people age successfully. The author draws from his experience of ten years as senior pastor in an age-restricted community designed to reach people over age fifty.

Baby Boomers and Beyond 
Amy Hanson (Jossey-Bass, 2010)

Baby Boomers—arguably the largest segment of the population—are entering their retirement years at an unprecedented rate. With more discretionary time and increased longevity, this group is searching for a way to make a meaningful impact with their lives. Baby Boomers and Beyond explores the opportunities and challenges that the older adult population presents for the Christian community. Author Amy Hanson dares church leaders to let go of stereotypes about aging and embrace a new paradigm, that older adults are for the most part active, healthy, and capable of making significant contributions for the Kingdom of God. Hanson offers a realistic view of the Boomers and reveals what matters most to this age group: staying young, juggling multiple relationships, and redefining retirement. The book digs into the questions that arise when working with this growing population. How do we let go of "one-size-fits-all" ministry? What spiritual growth can we encourage? How do we meld multiple generations? And, most important, how do we harness the potential of this new generation? Baby Boomers and Beyond contains numerous illustrative examples from churches and Baby Boomers across the country and offers church leaders best practices to put in motion.

A Concise Guide to Adult Faith Formation
Neil Parent (Ave Maria Press, 2009)

In A Concise Guide to Adult Faith Formation Neil Parent articulates his view that learning about the faith in adulthood is not merely an extension of basic childhood religious education, but is rather a continuous, lifelong process. Chapters include: The Adult as Christian Disciple and Lifelong Learner, The Parish as Context for Adult Faith Formation, The Adult as Faith Learner, Attending to the Voice of God as Teacher, Supporting the Independent Learner, and Turning Vision into Reality. 

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
Richard Rohr (Jossey-Bass, 2011)

Richard Rohr presents a fresh way of thinking about spirituality that grows throughout life. He seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as "falling upward." In fact, it is not a loss but somehow actually a gain, as we have all seen with elders who have come to their fullness. He explains why the second half of life can and should be full of spiritual richness, and offers a new view of how spiritual growth happens loss is gain.

Forming a Community of Faith: A Guide to Success in Adult Faith Formation Today
Jane Regan (Twenty-Third Publications, 2014)

Some of the most important people in faith formation are often overlooked: adults. But how can parishes engage people living in a postmodern world people who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious," who may be suspicious of large institutions, and whose experiences and worldviews are as diverse as our parishes themselves?  How can parishes engage people living in a postmodern world? Jane Regan offers a commonsense approach to adult faith formation, showing us how to tap into adults’ unique learning patterns and teach as Jesus did. “Through story and conversation, through example and shared interactions, we convey to others the reign of God,” she says. “And we witness to a life shaped by gospel values.” She offers practical ways parishes of all sizes and personalities can help people become true disciples. 

Generation Rising: A Future with Hope for the United Methodist Church
Andrew Thompson, editor (Abingdon Press, 2011)

Computers, mass media, consumerism, and family instability have transformed our society dramatically over the past three decades. These cultural shifts undermine the stability of real, authentic community and make it more difficult to fulfill God’s call to live in love and connection to one another. Jesus calls us to reconciliation, but life today moves toward ever-more alienation. The adults now known as Generation X had a unique firsthand experience of the cultural shifts now affecting the way the church works in the world. Growing up, Gen Xers were isolated and independent and had no common cause in terms of war or revolution, but had a common experience of life as increasingly less concrete, increasingly more detached. Because of this, Gen X Christians have a deep hunger for authentic community and the possibility of lifelong growth in grace because those things have become more and more difficult to achieve.

Growing Older, Thinking Younger
Keith Haemmelmann (Pilgrim Press, 2012)

Baby Boomers are maturing, more Boomer than baby, and redefining what it means to age gracefully. Growing Older, Thinking Younger…Ministry to Boomers helps church leaders Discover what successful ministry with aging members of your congregation looks like. Readers will learn how the church can reach out to this large segment and adapt to their needs as they move into retirement.  Haemmelmann reveals to readers what boomers look like, what is important to them and how church fits into their everyday lives. He illustrates for readers how to propel your ministries with older adults forward as they enter their golden years. Discover examples of proven ministry programs designed for seniors; ideas for embracing older adults through needs-specific ministry; and how to prepare Boomers for retirement.

Informal Learning Basics
Saul Carliner (ASTD Press, 2012)

Informal Learning Basics provides guidance and practical lessons on harnessing the vast potential of informal learning in their organizations. While formal training has been the focus of many training programs for the past century or more, as much as 70 percent of all learning in the workplace occurs through informal methods. Informal Learning Basics will assist you in recognizing and utilizing the informal learning possibilities in your organization. 

Making Sense of Adult Learning (Second Edition)
Dorothy Mackeracher (University of Toronto Press, 2004)

One of the finest books on adult learning available, Making Sense of Adult Learning covers the characteristics of adult learners—emotional, cognitive, social, physical, and spiritual—blending research and practice. Mackeracher includes chapters on the cycles and styles of learning and strategies and models in facilitating adult learner. Concepts are presented from learning-centered and learner-centered perspectives. Each chapter has learning and teaching principles that provide practical ideas about facilitating adult learning more effectively. Chapters include: Assumptions about Learning and Adult Learners, Characteristics of Adult Learners, Emotional Aspects, Cognitive Aspects, Social Aspects, Physical Aspects, Spiritual Aspects, Cycles and Styles in Learning, Strategies and Models in Facilitating, and Putting the Ideas Together. 

Mentor: Guiding the Journey of Adult Learners (2nd Edition)
Laurent A. Daloz (Jossey-Bass, 2012)

With a new introduction and afterword, this revised second edition is a practical, engaging exploration of mentoring and its power to transform learning. Filled with inspiring vignettes, Mentor shows how anyone who teaches can become a successful mentor to students. Topics covered include adult learning and development; the search for meaning as a motive for learning; education as a transformational journey; how adults change and develop; how learning changes the learner; barriers and incentives to learning and growth; and guiding adults through difficult transitions.

Nuts & Bolts: Planning & Best Practices for Adult Formation (eResource)
Janet Schaeffler, OP (Twenty-Publications, 2011)

Nuts & Bolts is a unique tool with a series of 23 6-10 page "tools" to help you plan and implement adult faith formation—initiatives which you as parish leaders can launch in your communities to increase participation in adult faith formation. The book includes "best practices" in adult faith formation - real initiatives, programs and processes in churches - what they’re doing, how they’re doing it, why it’s working for them; planning tools developed around topics that are pertinent to adult faith formation, such as motivation for adult learning, publicity and marketing for adult faith formation, planning for adult faith formation, and the role of technology in adult faith formation. 

Parish Ministry for Maturing Adults: Principles, Plans, & Bold Proposals
Richard P. Johnson (Twenty-Third Publications, 2007)

Richard Johnson wants churches to become more active, more assertive, and more focused on the fundamentals of ministering to those in their maturing years. This includes a greater appreciation that this time of life has immense spiritual purpose when people draw closer both to God and their true selves. He calls for a new vision of  ministry with maturing adults that moves beyond social activities to a new model of spiritual growth and personal development. Maturing adults need the nurturance of the church’s care and compassion; the understanding of their real needs as they are now; the necessary help in discerning the call of God today; encouragement to continue their spiritual pilgrimage; and direction to reach out to others in new ways. 

Radicalizing Learning: Adult Education for a Just World
Stephen D. Brookfield and John D. Holst (Jossey-Bass, 2010)

Radicalizing Learning calls for a total rethinking of what the field of adult education stands for and how adult educators should assess their effectiveness. Arguing that major changes in society are needed to create a more just world, the authors set out to show how educators can help learners envision and enact this radical transformation. Specifically, the book explores the areas of adult learning, training, teaching, facilitation, program development, and research. Each chapter provides a guide to the different paradigms and perspectives that prevail across the field of theory and practice. The authors then tie all of the themes into how adult learning for participatory democracy works in a diverse society.

Senior Adult Ministry in the 21st Century
David Gallagher (Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2006)

Over one quarter of Americans are age fifty or older. This sizable group has unique needs and requires specialized ministry. In this resource, pastor to senior adults Dr. David Gallagher offers invaluable insights, practical ideas, and successful strategies for ministering effectively to people over 50. This book offers a fresh framework of ministry goals and vision, as well as the practical insights to accomplish them. It includes steps for effective senior adult ministry, characteristics of senior adults, ways to involve senior adults in ministry, and practical strategies and activities for senior adult ministry.

Shaped by God: Twelve Essentials for Nurturing Faith in Children, Youth, and Adults 
Robert J. Keeley, editor (Faith Alive, 2010)

Faith formation doesn’t just happen—it’s a Spirit-led lifelong process of shaping and reshaping. In this accessible anthology, twelve experts share their perspectives on faith formation at home, in worship, in education, in intergenerational contexts, in people with developmental disabilities, and more. Chapters include: Biblical Foundations of Faith Formation: Faith Formation through Faith Practices; The Importance of Story in Faith Formation; Faith Formation at Home; Faith Formation through Worship, Sacraments and Education; Fostering Intergenerational Christian Community; Faith Formation and People with Developmental Disabilities; Recent Research; and Faith Formation in the Postmodern Matrix.

A Spirituality of Ageing
Mark Boyer (Wipf & Stock, 2014)

Sometime around the age of fifty—or as early as forty and as late as sixty—most of us come to terms with our age. We recognize that we have lived out at least half of the time allotted to us, and that the second half may be shorter than the first! Coming to terms with our age is a process, one that usually involves denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. As we progresses through these stages, a spirituality of aging emerges. In this book, the reader is led on a quest to explore his or her own personal spirituality of aging. All the equipment—words of wisdom from the literature of the world's religions—has been gathered here. Each of the book's thirty-two exercises invites readers to reflect on a passage taken from the sacred literature of a world religion, then explore each passage for its meanings and applications through a meditative journaling question and a short prayer. The reader will be guided to discover his or her personal spirituality of aging.

Toward an Adult Church: A Vision of Faith Formation
Jane E. Regan (Loyola Press, 2002) 

Jane Regan explores the current structure of parish faith formation. Basing her ideas on contemporary theory and traditional practice, Regan sets forth an intriguing argument: the vitality of the Church depends on establishing a new educational  paradigm—one that is focused on adults. How can parishes design a framework for adult faith formation? Will such programs be accepted by local church communities? Where does children’s faith formation fit into the new structure? Regan answers these questions and offers ideas for developing a balanced approach to faith formation—one that addresses the ongoing faith life of adults. Chapters include: Toward an Adult Church, The Adult as Person of Faith, Transformative Learning, Forming a Learning Community, Adult Formation: From Vision to Presumptions to Structures, and Leadership for Change.

A Vision for the Aging Church: Renewing Ministry for and by Seniors
James M. Houston & Michael Parker (IVP Academic, 2011)

Are we ready for the opportunities and challenges facing the aging church? Now is the time for the church to offer ministry to its increasing numbers of seniors and to benefit from ministry they can offer. In this book James M. Houston and Michael Parker issue an urgent call to reconceive the place and part of the elderly and seniors in the local church congregation. Confronting the idea that the aging are mostly a burden on the church, they boldly address the moral issues related to caring for them, provide examples of successful care-giving programs and challenge the church to restore broken connections across the generations. Cowritten by a theologian and an expert in the fields of social work and gerontology, this interdisciplinary book assesses our current cultural context and the challenges and opportunities we face. The authors show us that seniors aren't the problem. They are the solution.