If one were to utilize Advent as a season leading to the rites of initiation culminating in baptisms and incorporation into the Church’s life on Epiphany or the Baptism of our Lord, then, as Rhoda noted last week, the period of Enlightenment and Purification could begin on the second to last and last Sundays of […]
All four congregations where Kent and I did our research on adult faith formation followed a similar calendar, one inspired by many early church literary sources from the fourth and fifth centuries. Like the early church, these congregations shaped the stages of the adult catechumenate so that the stage of “final preparation” for baptism or […]
Last week Kent introduced the topic of sponsors in the adult catechumenate, focusing on ways in which sponsors “are one of the direct links to the life of the congregation and all its members.” Sponsors are described as companions who mentor, coach, and guide those in the adult faith formation process. This week we look […]
Adult sponsors play an important role in the formation of new Christians. This week we begin a two-part series on the role of sponsors in the catechumenate. First, this week, what is the role of a sponsor? In two weeks, Rhoda will address the traits of an effective sponsor. When considering the role of sponsors, […]
It is not quite paramount to recent changes in the language of the Mass among Roman Catholics, but it is a significant shift: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is being replaced by the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). This change entails both the replacement of the ritual process for becoming […]
This week Rhoda interviews Kent and his other research partner and co-author, Dr. Beth Hoeltke, about their book Lay me in God’s Good Earth. The authors discuss how they got drawn into the topic of natural burial, the Christian lens of the book, and the expansive approach of the book, which encourages pastors and lay […]
Today we wrap up the Formational Reading of Scripture Series by reviewing briefly each of the three “methods” of Scripture study commonly used in adult faith formation settings—African, Luther’s Four Strand Garland, and Visualization. Drawing on Understanding Faith Formation: Theological, Congregational, and Global Dimensions by Maddix, Kim, and Estep, Kent introduced this series by highlighting […]
Last week Kent wrote: “Personally, I find this method the most fun and engaging,” a statement that highlights our differences. While we share a desire to spark interest into the possibilities of adult faith formation for congregational renewal, a love of graceful, Christocentric liturgy, and a loyalty to our respective baseball teams (neither of which […]
The third and final Bible study method often used in the catechumenate is the Visualization Method. While all three methods provide creative ways of listening to the text, this method may be the most creative. While the opportunity for textual reflection is like the other two methods, in Visualization the individual is usually positioned in […]
Introducing Luther’s “Four-Strand Garland” method of Scripture study last week, Kent wrote: “In contrast with the African method, this method begins to expand more fully into the life of prayer and into the discipled life of the Christian.” While the African Method lends itself to the earliest of the four stages of the catechumenal process, […]