In a thought-provoking discussion, Sarah Strand, Dean of Anglican Formation, and Emma Parker, Priest at St Gabriel's Church, delve into the theology behind nurturing faith at home. They explore how young children encounter God and the importance of grounding children's ministry in sound theology. Sarah emphasizes everyday conversations and the power of curiosity in faith formation, while Emma shares personal insights on how seeing faith lived out can inspire children's journeys. They encourage parents to engage authentically and highlight that small actions can significantly shape children's faith.
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insights INSIGHT
Theology Fuels Long-Term Faith Work
Thinking theologically gives lasting, resource-independent reasons to invest in children's faith formation.
Theology supplies the fuel and conviction that practical tools alone cannot sustain.
insights INSIGHT
God Is The Primary Nurturer
Nurturing faith is ultimately God's work; adults are encouragers and recognizers of God's activity.
Scripture shows children responding to God directly, so our role is to create fertile conditions not to manufacture faith.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Begin With Your Beliefs
Start with your own theology: clarify what you believe and let it shape practical choices for your family.
Use that theological anchor to adapt practices for your context rather than copying others wholesale.
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In today’s episode we speak to Sarah Strand and Emma Parker about the theology behind faith at home. Rev Sarah Strand is Dean of Anglican Formation at Cranmer Hall, Durham, having previously worked as Tutor and Lecturer in Theological Reflection and, before that, served in parishes on Teesside. She is completing a PhD in Divinity at the University of Aberdeen, exploring how young children encounter God through reading Scripture in their family context. Revd Canon Dr Emma L. Parker is the Priest in Charge of St Gabriel's Church, Sunderland. She is the former Deputy Warden at Cranmer Hall, Durham and an author and contributor. She lives in Sunderland with her husband, daughter and red setter and loves early morning runs and dog walks, getting lost in a good book and singing.
Links:
Buy Growing Together in Faith https://scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334066521/growing-together-in-faith
The questions tool https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/questions/
Join the Parenting as a Church Leader Day on 9 October https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/book-pacl-day/
Sign up as a group or individual for the Parenting Teens for a Life of Faith course this Autumn https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/events/products/parenting-teens-course-autumn-2025
Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at parentingforfaith@brf.org.uk
A-Z book launch - https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/events/products/an-a-z-of-parenting-for-faith-book-launch
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