Over the past two days I had the privilege of attending a gathering of religious education professionals. Two significant topic areas were addressed during this get-together. First, there was a great deal of attention paid to creating new and innovative ways of placing faith in a more centralized position for families with teenagers. Second, and of equal importance, was a discussion of the challenges that exist for families in terms of making faith formation a vital part of their everyday lives.

As a family research scientist, I came to the table knowing that religious activity, dedication, and belief have been shown in many studies to have a positive impact on a variety of adolescent outcomes. More recently, however, I had been made aware of a small but growing set of studies that have documented trends in family life indicating that religiousness in families is on the decline. Placed together, the evidence suggests that families with teenagers might best be seen as standing at a crossroads of sorts, at least in terms of the place that their family’s faith will take in their interactions with one another.

Parents of teens wrestling with faith formation issues in their own families might appreciate the metaphor that developed over the course of this meeting. In many ways, participants voiced descriptions that likened these matters to a series of white water rapids. In particular, this metaphor draws attention to two important elements contained within this experience: water and rocks. Water is an ideal symbol for faith, and I cannot imagine a better image to use for challenges than rocks. The water is continuous and moving, while the rocks deflect and redirect.

To continue on with this metaphor, then, as parents and teenagers we are passengers on a family raft that is attempting to navigate these white water rapids. The ride can certainly be thrilling, and it can also be somewhat hazardous, especially if we are not properly equipped. And this is where we come to the place that religious education professionals have in supporting faith formation within families. In essence, are they not the guides who are there to help supply maps and paddles (and perhaps even helmets too)? Effective guides know how to point and direct, yet know full well that passage ultimately depends of the abilities of the passengers themselves. And if we apply a strength-based perspective to the families that we serve, we can rest assured that families -- properly equipped -- will be able to experience success on this journey.

The use of the word “success” in the previous sentence brings this story back full circle. Social scientists have known for years that raising successful teenagers depends on a variety of family strengths. Chief among those is the fact that strong families have a significant positive identity that is recognized and shared by its members. The faith tradition of a family certainly qualifies as an important component of that identity. At the same time, however, close attention to faith-based issues may help to move families beyond what it means to raise a “successful adult.” In short, the experiences contained within the white water rapids ride might elevate families to consider what it means to raise “meaningful adults” as well.