The idea for See Spirit Grow developed a few years ago when, as a Christian Education Director for a large church, I began helping smaller churches in my area who could not afford Christian Education Directors and needed help choosing curriculums and setting up programs.  While many curriculums, programs, and ideas are available on the market, almost every church finds when they purchase something that it has to be adapted to fit their needs.  In many churches, choosing curriculums, creating programs or adapting and modifying purchased materials falls on volunteers, who are often frustrated or feel overwhelmend by the task.  In most smaller churches, there is the additional challenge of adapting to fit multi-age groups and making things work with a very small volunteer base.

I bring a wealth of experience and education to See Spirit Grow:  I am a former high school teacher, current online college instructor, and have fourteen years of service as a Christian Education and Formation Director and as a Youth Director.  I hold Master's degrees in both religion and education, and am currently completing my PhD in Education, with a focus on curriculum and instruction.  As a guest speaker, I have presented at and led workshops, retreats, seminars, and conferences at the individual church, convocational, diocesan and national level to youth and to different groups of adults, from clergy, to teachers, to youth leaders, CE leaders and parents, and even to intergenerational groups.  As a consultant, I have worked at all levels within a denomination, from the national level to the individual church. I have worked with various sizes of churches (from 35 members to 2700 members) with a variety of unique needs, focuses and physical space challenges. 

As I have worked with individual churches, I have found that a church community benefits from a fresh pair of eyes coming in and helping evaluate a church's Christian formation programs.  When I work with a church, I first assess if the church is really ready for change, which is often why I get called, or if they are really just looking for some new life breathed into existing programs.  From there, we work together to put together programs or curriculums that will suit the unique needs of the church.  I do not promote any company's curriculum, although I am familiar with most, and have begun writing a few myself (see the Christian Formation Page).  My goal as a consultant is to find a way to make Christian Formation work for your church within the confines of a usually nonexistant or shoestring budget. 

What are some ways I can help your Christian education or formation program?  Here are a few options:

General Consultations:

• Program evaluations, where I will meet with clergy and/or parishioners to assess existing adult, youth and children's programs and offer recommendations for program change or revitalization that meet the time, talent and financial needs and unique interests of the church. 

Specific Consultations: 

• Develop or revitalize adult educational programming.
• Develop or revitalize adolescent youth and youth fellowship programs.
• Develop or revitalize children's programs. 
• Work with smaller churches to develop Christian Education programs for multi-age groups or intergenerational groups. 
• Offer solutions for non-traditional programming, intergenerational and other special events that can enhance your CF program.
• Find, write or assist in writing new curriculums for specific age groups.
• Adapt pre-packaged curriculums to work for your church.
• Present teacher training workshops.
• Work with church/church staff on finding and retaining volunteers.
• Work with existing committees to learn to function efficiently.
• Meet with Christian Formation committees as frequently as requested (once, monthly, quarterly, or annually) to help with developing and planning programs that fit the needs of your church.
• Present workshops, classes and conferences on parenting, spiritual development, improving communication within the family, learning styles, understanding today’s pre-teens and teens and other topics.
• Work with church staff to improve communication and understanding among staff members.
• Other specific issues relating to Christian formation.

If you are interested in a consultation for your church or other group in your denomination,  please email me:  hhawks@seespiritgrow.com  or call (336) 816-4555 and I will be glad to talk to you!