About Us

Confirm Not Conform was developed by members of the staff of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Oakland, California over the course of about eight years. They realized they wanted a confirmation program they couldn’t find. So they created it themselves.

Our Story

Since the program was syndicated more than 15 years ago, Confirm Not Conform has been used by over 1,000 congregations throughout the United States, Canada, and beyond. It is now available in versions for Lutheran, UCC, Methodist, and Presbyterian youth, and for Adults undergoing confirmation. In 2020, we rolled out an Online add-on to underpin distance learning.

We hope you’ll find the program is right for you.

Our Philosophy and Methodology


Confirm Not Conform has designed our programs according to our methodology:

  • To respect participants’ faithful choice about whether or not to be confirmed, and celebrates and honors them, whatever their choice may be.
  • To allow participants of all ages to speak and participate, focusing on their questions more than just our answers.
  • To demonstrate our confidence that the Christian faith will stand up to honest examination. We are not afraid to show our Christian traditions, flaws and all.
  • To explore the many ways people have expressed their faith through the centuries.
  • To involve the wider congregation in the confirmation process, connecting youth with adults in a meaningful way.
  • To empower youth to teach and lead. 

Youth Program

Each license for the Confirm Not Conform Youth confirmation program includes customization guides for 5 different denominations:

  • Episcopal/Anglican
  • Lutheran (ELCA)
  • Methodist (UMC)
  • Presbyterian (PCUSA)
  • UCC/Congregational (UCC)

These programs can be adapted for your local use or congregation. 
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The fully downloadable program includes:

  • Getting Started guides
  • 20 general sessions, including sessions on Scripture, church history, the Nicene Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, worship, world religion, and social justice
  • Weekend Retreat handbook
  • Mentor recruitment and training materials
  • Confirmation service and celebration materials
  • and more!

​Adult Program

Confirm Not Conform for Adults invites participants to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask and to explore their faith from an adult perspective.
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The fully downloadable material includes:

  • Getting Started guides
  • General sessions, including sessions on Scripture, church history, the Nicene Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the church year, and world religions
  • Creative explorations of spiritual practices
  • In depth practice on discerning their values and how to live them out

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Confirm Not Conform for Adults can be used concurrently with the Youth program, giving youth and parents an opportunity to discuss what each is learning, or as a separate adult formation program. ​

Confirm Not Conform the Organization

Confirm Not Conform is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) – a nonprofit in the U.S. – under the legal name Come and C, Inc.