Confirmation programs in the last 30 years have become an exercise not unlike teaching a pig to sing—which annoys the pig and frustrates the teacher.  Parents and congregational leaders have some sense that confirmation is necessary, but often are not sure why.  The youth in the programs know that they would rather do nearly anything else.  The results of conventional confirmation programs have been sad.

· Being confirmed is often the end of life in the church, not the beginning.

· Being confirmed has little meaning in the life of the student.

· Being confirmed has been shown to have no direct impact on faith in life as an adult.

Christ Lutheran Church is dedicated to passing on the faith through changes and innovations that address these problems.  The result is that we no longer think of confirmation as a program, but as it was intended, as a stepping stone, a point on a path of lifelong discipleship.

Confirmation is, therefore, an event that allows a young adult to become a disciple, no longer at the leading of the parent, but a responsible,  active member of the body of Christ.  Confirmation happens on the Spirit’s timetable, not  simply at the end of a course of instruction.  Confirmation is passage from a child to an adult in the context of the people of God.