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
Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling: Collaborative Staffing for a Joint Adult Catechumenate
This week’s blog expands on two points Kent made last week: I make one assumption, namely, that most “compact congregations” have one pastor and no “second chair” paid staff (in LCMS jargon, no commissioned minister on staff). As I mulled over this topic, the words of the hymn, Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling (Lutheran […]
A Catechumenal Vision for Compact Congregations: Congregations Working Together
The challenges for compact congregations in developing robust catechumenates are apparent, as we have expressed in this series’ first two posts. We turn to addressing collaborative opportunities that would allow compact congregations to address those challenges. The first opportunity is for congregations to collaborate in developing an adult catechumenate. These could be congregations in the […]
Mount Saint Michel (Again)
This week we are taking a break from our series on “Compact Congregations,” as both of us have been traveling. I’m recently returned from Pewaukee, Wisconsin where I attended the annual gathering of the Lutheran Deaconess Conference, whose membership is deaconesses trained by the Lutheran Diaconal Association, founded in 1919. One of the highlights of […]
Compact Congregations: Challenges (Part 2)
Last week Kent outlined some of the challenges that face “compact” (aka, small) congregations: lethargy that impedes change; the small number of adult catechumens; congregational isolation and American individualism; and conflict within a congregation. Today’s post considers a compact congregation’s challenges with regard to the staffing, time, and energy required to introduce a robust catechumenal […]
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.
“Journey to Jesus” Book Event
Prof. Rhoda Schuler in the library with her book–no, it’s not the solution to the board game Clue, it’s a gathering to learn more about the book as a resource for the church. Dr. Schuler will give brief remarks at 3:15 about the research process the informs the book and thank people and organizations who […]
Festival of Nations, Salem Lutheran Church
In February 2025 Kent and Rhoda were invited by Pastors Gless and Martin to visit and study the multiethnic ministry of Salem Lutheran Church. In September they will return and present their findings to congregational leaders and attend the Festival of Nations, a major annual event of the congregation. The bilingual worship service begins at […]
What makes churches work today?
Dr. Schuler will be visiting St. John on September 14, 2025. She will be available in The Commons to chat, sell, and sign books before, between, and after the Liturgies that day. Do take the time on September 14 to greet and thank her for her long and faithful service to the Church! “JOURNEY TO […]
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).
