Mission of the Cross
Confirmation
At Mission of the Cross Lutheran Church, confirmation is not treated as a graduation from church, but as a faithful season of learning, growth, and confession within the life of the congregation. It is one important part of the Church’s calling to teach the faith to the next generation and to help children grow in the knowledge of Christ and His saving gifts. For that reason, confirmation instruction is rooted in Holy Scripture, centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and shaped by the Lutheran Confessions and Catechism.
Teaching the Faith
From the beginning, the Church has been called to hand on the faith once delivered to the saints. Christian children are not left to discover the truth on their own, but are taught the Word of God carefully and faithfully by parents, pastors, and the congregation. Confirmation is one way the Church carries out that responsibility. At Mission of the Cross, this instruction helps young people learn the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Sacrament of the Altar. In this way, they are grounded in the basic pattern of the Christian faith and in the language of the Church.
Rooted in the Lutheran Tradition
Lutheran confirmation instruction is closely tied to Luther’s Small Catechism, which has served for generations as a clear and faithful summary of biblical teaching. This tradition is not a matter of preserving old customs for their own sake. It is a way of giving children a strong and lasting foundation in God’s Word. By learning the Catechism, young people are taught not only what Christians believe, but also how God deals with His people through His Word and Sacraments. They learn to confess the faith clearly, to hear the Scriptures with understanding, and to recognize the rich gifts Christ has given His Church.
Raised in the Faith
Confirmation is also part of the congregation’s broader commitment to raising children in the faith. Christian formation does not happen only in one class or during one stage of life. It begins in the home, is strengthened in the Divine Service, and is supported through the teaching life of the church. Parents are given the first responsibility for bringing up their children in the fear and instruction of the Lord, and the congregation stands alongside them in that calling. Through worship, Sunday School, catechesis, and prayer, children are taught that they belong to Christ and are part of His holy Church.
The Blessing and Lasting Impact
The goal of confirmation is not simply the completion of a course of study, but a deeper life in Christ and His Church. Through faithful instruction, young people are prepared to examine themselves, confess the faith, and receive the Lord’s Supper with understanding and reverence. Just as importantly, they are given a foundation that serves them throughout life. The words of the Catechism, the pattern of the liturgy, and the truths of Scripture remain with them in times of joy, sorrow, testing, and hope. This is one of the great blessings of the Lutheran tradition: it forms Christians not only for a moment, but for a lifetime.
At Mission of the Cross Lutheran Church in Crosslake, confirmation is part of our joyful work of teaching the faith, caring for families, and helping raise children to know and confess Jesus Christ. We give thanks for this task and pray that the Lord would continue to bless the children of His Church with steadfast faith, faithful instruction, and a lifelong love for His Word and Sacraments.