a missional approach to Forming Lutheran Disciples
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Enlightenment during Advent: Repentance and Healing
A full and robust catechumenal process has four stages: inquiry, catechesis, enlightenment or final preparation (which culminates with the sacrament of baptism or a rite of remembrance/renewal for those already baptized) and mystagogy. Our current Advent Series is exploring an alterative timing of the catechumenal process. We are taking a close look at the lectionary […]
Enlightenment in Advent: End of the Church Year Readings
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 […]
Expanding the Seasons for Baptismal Preparation
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 […]
Traits of an Effective Sponsor in the Adult Catechumenate
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 […]
Events
Upcoming Events: Help Us Plan What You Need
Although we are beyond the grant-funded phase of Forming Lutherans, we are still eager to share the results of our research and our knowledge of adult faith formation with LCMS pastors. These are ways in which we can do so at no cost to participants. All options require equipment for a Zoom gathering (strong internet connection, projector and screen, good microphone, and tech person on your end to manage the technology in the room with multiple people).
Congregational Meeting
If you, the pastor of a congregation, would like to introduce congregational leaders to a process of adult faith formation, we could meet virtually with you and your lay leadership, offer resources to introduce the idea of the adult catechumenate to the leadership, and/or lead a session on the type of Scripture study appropriate for […]
Pastors’ Retreat
If one or more circuits has a one- or two-day retreat, we could offer an extended program with a mix of presentations, discussions about current practices for receiving new members, and visioning about how individual congregations might benefit by introducing aspects of adult faith formation incrementally in a congregation. For a successful event, the retreat […]
Winkel Gatherings
Looking for a topic for an upcoming Winkel gathering? If your gathering place has the equipment for a Zoom meeting with a small group, one or both of us could lead a short presentation and discussion on the benefits of an adult catechumenate model. We can tailor the presentation to various times, from a minimum […]
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).
