Formation For Mission

This book arose from commissioned research by the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) on the alignment and effectiveness of 'A Framework for Formation for Mission in Catholic Education' (NCEC, 2017). It articulates contemporary best practice, and traces the experience of the Catholic Church in pursuing formation as integral to mission. This book also reviews and reports on formation within the context of the Catholic school. Its research validates ‘The Framework’ in Catholic education, and provides a complementary narrative for enhancing formation alignment and effectiveness, specifically with a focus on the Catholic school, but also with implications for formation in the wider context of ministry applications. This book is developed based on three questions, which also serve as thematic chapters that structure the narrative: what is the context and culture in which formation occurs; how is formation presented and enacted within the Australian context; and how can the understanding and practice of formation be advanced beyond its context and culture, policy, programs and ‘The Framework’ principles.

Living the Mission explores what it means to be a Christian today. By examining the early church's struggle in the wake of Jesus's devastating death and awe-inspiring resurrection in the book of Acts, we learn how we can follow Jesus, how Jesus is still with us in the Holy Spirit, and how we are called to form communities into which we are forever inviting others. Conveniently organized for individual or group study, Living the Mission explores the heart of what it means to follow Jesus and be a part of his church.

This fifth volume in the Mission and Education series grapples with the question of how to frame a re-imagined understanding of formation for the Catholic educator and leader.

Evan Howard, a noted authority on Christian spirituality, provides a holistic, accessible, and informed introduction to Christian spiritual formation written from a broadly evangelical perspective. Howard joins Scripture with themes of community, spirit, formation, and mission in a single integrative guide. The book includes helpful features such as figures, charts, chapter overviews, and formation-focused questions. Its evangelical-ecumenical and global perspectives will appeal to a wide audience. Resources for professors and students are available through Baker Academic's Textbook eSources.

As an evangelizing arm of the church, Catholic education plays an indispensable role in introducing young people to rudimentary elements of the Catholic faith as well as creating human and social capital. In spite of the numerous contributions Catholic education has made in the area of socio-economic development, many people don't understand what Catholic education is nor appreciate its contribution in the character formation and overall enhancement of human capital. This book is written to explain what Catholic education is, its mission, its identity, and its challenges. The audience the book seeks to serve includes diocesan policymakers and those in charge of in-service training and formation programs aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of leadership practice in Catholic schools. This book is also a useful resource for Catholic school leaders and administrators. It is a must-read for students undertaking graduate studies in Catholic school leadership and new emerging leaders and administrators in Catholic education.