Christian confirmation is the process by which a person publicly professes, or “confirms,” their belief in and commitment to live according to the Christian faith. Confirmation takes place when an individual affirms the vows of baptism and membership before a pastor and the gathered congregation.
In The United Methodist Church, persons brought up in the church as children are typically confirmed during adolescence when they are considered mature enough to properly understand the commitment they are making. Preparation for confirmation usually includes a period of structured learning, often beginning during Lent, culminating in Confirmation Sunday when they take their vows.
As congregations prepare these individuals, or confirmands, here are some things to consider.
Who leads the confirmation classes?
Confirmation classes should be led by the church pastor or a staff person/member of the congregation with a strong theological background to teach others United Methodist doctrine.
Along with the leader of the class, it is good policy to pair off confirmands with adult mentors to help them prepare. The mentor does not need to be a clergyperson or trained theologian. They simply need to be someone active in the life of church and deeply committed to their faith.
What will the confirmands be learning?
Confirmation class should cover the basic tenets of The United Methodist faith in accordance with the Articles of Religion and John Wesley’s sermons. Confirmands should have good understanding of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the sacraments of baptism and communion, and United Methodist history and polity.
Confirmands should also learn what it means to be disciple and the vital spiritual practices Christians are to engage in such as prayer, worship, communion, scripture, acts of mercy and justice, and Christian accountability.
The course should explore the full meaning of the vows of baptism/confirmation that the confirmands will be affirming on Confirmation Sunday to make sure they properly understand them.
Where do I find confirmation curriculum?
You purchase confirmation class materials from Cokesbury online. They have resources for leaders, mentors, confirmands, and parents. Some annual conferences also produce their own confirmation resources for free use by churches. Check with your senior pastor or district superintendent to find out what preferred resources might be for your annual conference.
When should confirmation classes meet?
Classes are typically held on Sunday afternoons sometime after morning worship and before youth ministry activities. These classes should meet on church property and fully conform with safe sanctuary practices. It’s vital that confirmands attend most, if not all, classes. If Sunday afternoons are not convenient for all the confirmands, then leaders should try to find different times that work for everyone.
What other activities do confirmands do outside of class?
Confirmands should be studying material between classes (like homework) to prepare for each week. Confirmation leaders should also arrange optional activities outside of class to help confirmands bond and grow in their faith.
Many United Methodist camps and retreat centers offer to host overnight retreats in the early spring for confirmation classes. Leaders can also organize service opportunities for confirmands or arrange visits to other local churches or other faith communities such as synagogues or mosques.
Conclusion
The significance of confirmation lies not only in the moment itself, but in the journey leading up to it. A confirmand’s profession of faith reflects months of intentional learning and years of participation in the life of the church — through worship, education, fellowship and service. These experiences are means through which God’s grace is continually shaping them.
Confirmation is also not the end of one’s faith journey. The vows made are lived out daily through ongoing discipleship, participation in the church’s mission and a deepening relationship with Christ.
This content was produced by ResourceUMC on May 29, 2026. Philip J. Brooks is a writer and content developer at United Methodist Communications. Contact him by email.