Integrating On-Site, And Digital Pedagogies in the Faith Formation of Small Christian Communities: A Literature-Based Review
Downloads
This study was prompted by findings from a previous research investigation, where participants identified time and financial constraints as the primary barriers to attending LUMKO faith formation workshops. https://doi.org/10.47191/rajar/v11i3.16
Recognizing this challenge, the researcher explored alternative pedagogical approaches for faith formation in Small Christian Communities (SCCs), beyond traditional face-to-face methods. The study examined the potential of digital technologies and social media as tools for addressing accessibility and engagement concerns.
To systematically evaluate existing approaches, the researcher employed a literature-based methodology, examining three broad styles of literature review (systematic, semi-systematic, and integrative). Based on the study objectives, the integrative literature review approach was selected, allowing for a comprehensive synthesis of diverse perspectives. The review was designed, conducted, and analyzed, culminating in a structured write-up that presented insights from successful online past practices as effective faith formation strategies for the future in the Catholic Church in Kenya.
Anselm Prior OFM. (2014), A Brief History of the LUMKO Institute (1962-1999), Re-published at the request of the Archives of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference, Pretoria (SACBC).
Bradley, V. M. (2021). Learning management system (LMS) use with online instruction. International Journal of Technology in Education.
CatholicVote. (2025). Latest official Church statistics report overall Catholic population growth, but decline in priests, seminarians, and religious vocations.
Coleman, L., King, T., & Turner, W. (n.d.). 1.3: Becoming a competent communicator. Social Sci LibreTexts.
Coleman, L., King, T., & Turner, W. (n.d.). 9.5.1: Ethical issues in mass media. Social Sci LibreTexts.
Cummings, T. (2016). Erasmus and the Second Vatican Council. Church Life Journal, University of Notre Dame.
Desmet, P., Langley, K., & Walker, S. (2021). The digital divide in educational access: Examining barriers in rural communities. Global Education Review.
Desmond, J. F. (2022, March 1). The Synod on Synodality: What every Catholic should know. EWTN Great Britain.
Dicastery for Communication. (2023, May 28). Towards full presence: A pastoral reflection on engagement with social media. Vatican.va.
Firth, J., Torous, J., Stubbs, B., Firth, J. A., Steiner, G. Z., Smith, L., Alvarez-Jimenez, M. (2019), The online brain: how the Internet may be changing our cognition" published in World Psychiatry in 2019.
Hathaway, J. C. (2023). EWTN begins religious broadcasting. EBSCO Research Starters.
Healey, J. G. (2013). How African Small Christian Communities implement the pastoral and missionary vision of Vatican II. Tangaza Journal of Theology & Mission.
Hewitt, R. (2016). Ecumenical missiology: Changing landscapes and new conceptions of mission. Academia.edu.
Hussain, M., Qureshi, Z. M., & Malik, S. (2024). The impact of educational technologies on modern education: Navigating opportunities and challenges. Global Educational Studies Review.
James Lind Teachers Institute. (2023). The role of mass media in education: How radio, TV, and films transform learning.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2019). 2019 Kenya population and housing census: Volume IV—Distribution of population by socio-economic characteristics. KNBS.
Lobinger, F. (1972). Awakening consciousness through problem-solving education. Theological Journal of Faith Formation.
Lobinger, F. (1991). Training lay leaders: A new ecclesiology approach. Church Leadership Review.
Marcynuk, T., Evans, B., & Carter, D. (2022). Personalized learning and adaptable education models in remote settings. Journal of Online Learning.
Mark, J. J. (2022), The printing press & the Protestant Reformation. World World History Encyclopedia, n.d.).
Munn, Z., Peters, M. D. J., Stern, C., Tufanaru, C., McArthur, A., & Aromataris, E. (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology.
Mushataha, E., Abu Dabous, S., Alsyouf, I., Ahmed, A., & Abdraboh, N. R. (2022). The challenges and opportunities of online learning and teaching at engineering and theoretical colleges during the pandemic. Ain Shams Engineering Journal.
Napoli, P. M. (2015), The Audience as Product, Consumer, and Producer in the Contemporary Media Marketplace” in the book ‘Managing Media Firms and Industries’ (Springer, 2015).
Nell, I. A. (2015). Building missional leadership and spiritual formation: Practical theological perspectives on a Master’s Programme. Missionalia.
Nuankaew, P., Jeefoo, P., Nasa-Ngium, P., & Nuankaew, W. S. (2023). Hybrid learning and blended learning in the perspective of educational data mining and learning analytics: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology.
Orobator, A. E. (2013). Small Christian communities as a new way of becoming church: Practice, progress, and prospects. In K. Krämer & K. Vellguth (Eds.), Small Christian communities: Fresh stimulus for a forward-looking Church (pp. 113–125). Claretian Communications Foundation.
Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Frels, R. K. (2016). Seven steps to a comprehensive literature review: A multimodal and cultural approach, Sage Publications.
Picciano, A. G. (2017). The evolution of blended learning models: Theory and practice. Distance Learning Journal.
Pontifical Council for Social Communications. (2002, February 28). The Church and Internet. Vatican.va.
Schumacher, M. M. (2017). Apostolicam Actuositatem. In The Reception of Vatican II (pp. 234–265), Oxford University Press.
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research.
TheBestSchools.org. (n.d.). A history of online education.
The African Bible (Rev. ed.). (2011). Paulines Publications Africa.
The Seed Magazine. (1988). About us. https://seedmagazine.co.ke/about/.
ZENIT Staff. (2015, August 6). Within 5 years, Kenya will have 20 Catholic radio channels. ZENIT – English.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sr. Mulongo Jane Francisca Ibvm, Fr. Concorde Akimana

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All Content should be original and unpublished.

