Intentional communities as learning labs for faith formation: how adult children of Holden Village understand emerging faith commitments

Abstract

How do adult children of intentional faith communities understand emerging faith commitments, and how might their stories inform how churches and other faith institutions understand faith formation, particularly in areas of peace and justice? This project examines the stories of nine adult children of Holden Village, a semi-intentional faith community, rooted in the Lutheran tradition, located in the remote Northern Cascades. For over 70 years, Holden Village, a former mining town, has welcomed children and their families into the winter community. Holden Village has strong commitments to justice and peace. As these children age into adulthood, this project examines how they sift through their childhood experiences, and tie their current faith commitments to their time in the Village. This report ends with five recommendation for practical theologians and church professionals about how to form children for justice and peace, using these Holden Village stories as a template.