a missional approach to Forming Lutheran Disciples
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When many Christian congregations are asking, “How can we draw new members into our midst?” the authors reframe the question: “How can congregations make new disciples and deepen the faith of long-time Christians?” Rediscovery of the early church catechumenate provides a means to form new disciples in today’s culture. Inspiring case studies of four congregations emphasize the contextual flexibility of adult faith formation. Interviews with catechumenal leaders and participants in adult faith formation reveal how a catechumenate that is central to congregational life can energize and orient the people of God toward the mission of God. Opening windows into congregational life, especially at worship, those who had journeyed through the adult faith formation process describe their experiences and the profound changes that took place in them. Adult faith formation is a journey—not a program—of belonging, believing, and behaving that draws people into Christ’s orbit for life. As one participant said, “For the first time I understood what it meant to be a Christian.” Through the adult catechumenate she heard the voice of Christ, calling her to new life and a rich baptismal identity.
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Latest News
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: Handing on of the Creed
We continue (as Kent coined it) our “nerdy” series comparing the Roman Catholic Church’s new OCIA translation with the earlier RCIA translation. Following the practice of the early church, the period of the Enlightenment (third stage of the catechumenate) includes “the handing on” of the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer (OCIA translation; the RCIA text […]
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: Prayers of the First Scrutiny
Last week we discussed the approaches to translating the texts of the Roman Catholic Latin rites of the catechumenate reflected in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and in the new Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. This week we begin teasing out how those changes are reflected in the actual translations. Our first […]
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: Translating the Rites
We embark on a series during Lent that might seem the height of all nerdiness to some (and Rhoda and I might rightly be accused of being liturgical nerds). With the appearance of the new 2018 translation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults last November from the Roman Catholic Church, it seemed appropriate […]
Field Trip to Explore Multicultural Ministry
We (Kent and Rhoda) will be presenting the opening plenary address at Concordia Seminary’s Multiethnic Symposium, May 6-7, 2025. Our concern to have concrete, firsthand data coalesced with the desire of a pastoral team in Springdale, Arkansas, to have outside “consultants” visit and make recommendations for strengthening congregational faith formation across generations. It was a […]
Events
We have been privileged to present information about the adult catechumenate in a variety of settings.
This list includes upcoming and past events.
We welcome conversations with church leaders interested in organizing a workshop or presentation on the topic.
Multiethnic Symposium
Learning From Each Other: Catechesis That Raises Up Multiethnic Leaders for the Kingdom In the context of a multiethnic church, catechesis becomes a powerful tool for raising up leaders who can effectively minister to diverse communities. The 2025 Multiethnic Symposium plenaries and sectionals will explore how the church can equip future leaders with knowledge, skills […]
Prof Insights
Kent and Rhoda are scheduled to lead a workshop on the adult catechumenate in the Wisconsin Rapids area (North Wisconsin District). According to the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis website, “The Prof Insights: Faculty-Led Workshop Series offers in-depth study on contemporary topics that influence the practice of ministry and worship. Bringing the Seminary to you, members […]
A Prophetic Challenge
Kent and Rhoda led a three-hour seminar at the annual gathering of the Institute of Liturgical Studies, Valparaiso, IN. Here’s the description of this well-received time of presentations, activities, and discussion: A consumer culture challenges the church on two fronts. From within, an “attractional” pattern for outreach has commodified the church and its message. From […]
What people say about FormingLutherans.org
The church knows ritual shapes its life. Yet, ongoing changes in worship compel us to better understand how. Forming Lutherans provides answers through ethnographic and qualitative research, testing the power of ritual in real-life congregations, leaders, and individuals.
The research, reflection, speaking, and writing of Drs. Schuler and Burreson provide keen insights and practical applications to pastors and congregations as they seek to teach the baptized to hold fast to all our Heavenly Father has given us through, Jesus, the Word of Truth (John 17:17).
