Faith Formation
Courses invite students to explore Scripture, Lutheran theology, worship, church history and Christian life with room for questions and conversation.
Plant yourself in good soil.
About Growing in Faith
Faith formation for everyday disciples
Growing in Faith, the diakonia program, brings people together for theological learning, spiritual formation, conversation, and service—helping disciples live out their baptismal call in church and community.
Who We Are
Rooted in the Lutheran tradition
Growing in Faith is a ministry within the ELCA committed to fostering learning environments for followers of Jesus to grow in faith. The program recognizes the important role lay people have in healthy discipleship in congregations and communities.
Students gather across congregations to learn together, ask questions, share life experiences, deepen their understanding of Scripture and the Lutheran tradition, and discern how faith is lived in the world.
The program began as Diakonia in 1977 and has grown and changed through the years. Today, the name Growing in Faith reflects both that heritage and the program’s continuing purpose.
What Shapes Us
Learning, community and vocation
Learning in Community
Growing in Faith is more than a collection of classes. Students learn with and from one another through discussion, shared experience and mutual care.
Faith in Action
Learning points outward. Students are encouraged to discern their gifts and live their baptismal vocations in congregations, communities and daily life.
How We Are Organized
National support. Local relationships.
Growing in Faith is a national program carried out through participating synods and local learning communities.
National
The national organization provides the program framework, curriculum standards and resources that give Growing in Faith a common foundation.
Synods
Participating synods organize the program in their area, coordinate leadership and instructors, and connect students with available classes.
Learning Communities
Students and instructors gather in small learning communities, meeting by Zoom or in person for study, conversation and formation.
Leadership
Serving Growing in Faith together
National and synod leaders work together to support the program, its instructors and its students. This shared leadership helps preserve a common program while allowing each participating synod to serve its own communities.
National Board & Leadership
Current National leadership is maintained through the Growing in Faith organizational records.
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Explore
Where would you like to go next?
Learn more about the curriculum or find a Growing in Faith program in your area.