Christian religious education provides the content, processes, and settings to empower the church's mission in the world--a mission that includes health care, peace with justice, and disciple-making ministries. Today, the field Christian Education is clear about its tasks of helping form and nurture faith that is then embodied in faithful practices. Research studies on Christian faith practices show how participating in Christian community undergirds and complements thoughtful living through one's life.
With an emphasis on practices and mission, this book offers readers concrete ways to empower vital faith formation in congregations as it describes current trends, which include richer diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, and interfaith dialog. This book will also help prepare students for leadership in the Church universal and in the field of Christian Education. "Teaching the Way of Jesus is an important and eminently useful contribution to the field of Christian religious education by a practical scholar whose faithful leadership and hope-filled call for change will inspire all stakeholders in Christian religious education to 'face into the world, to follow the realm of God, and to work with all our energy for a world where God's hopes and God's renewals are possible.'" (182). -Ryan S. Gardner, Brigham Young University-Idaho