a missional approach to Forming Lutheran Disciples
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Mystagogical Catechesis: Formation through Paschal Mystery for Life
To couch this in the language of George Lindbeck, we in the LCMS are thoroughgoing cognitive-propositionalists. Our catechetical instruction and formation proceeds out of the (often unexamined) assumptions of the Enlightenment that the primary means of formation go through our heads. The catechumenate calls us to give attention to the variety of ways in which […]
Mystagogical Preaching: Preaching to the Newly Baptized
Preaching throughout the season of Easter should be mystagogical, especially in a congregation that has a catechumenate. What does that mean? It means that throughout the Easter season the preacher should proclaim the paschal mystery, the death and resurrection of Jesus as seed of the renewal of all creation and the life of the world. […]
Celebrating the Newly Baptized: The Rites of the Mystagogy Period
How can one not love a word like Mystagogy! Prior to Lent we discussed key aspects of the Period of Enlightenment—Rituals, Prayer, Reflection, Catechesis. During Lent we will consider primary aspects of the least well known period of the catechumenate: The Period of Mystagogy. We will consider Rituals, Preaching, Catechesis, Service, and Formation and Vocation […]
Un-catechesis: Catechesis during the Period of Enlightenment
Lutherans tend to approach catechesis in a one size fits all mode. Grounded in Luther’s Catechisms (which is, of course, a good place to be grounded), the approach is often fairly uniform across times and locations. It is very intellectually-focused, seeking to expose the catechumens to what Scripture and the church teach so that they […]
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).
The thorough catechetical process advocated by FormingLutherans is absolutely necessary for making disciples who are prepared to answer the challenges that the modern culture presents. This FormingLutherans project has proven invaluable in assisting our congregation, Grace Lutheran, St. Petersburg, FL, in accomplishing that all important task.
Forming Lutherans holistically focuses on evangelization, catechesis, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. It will help your congregation to be both ancient and postmodern as all the baptized are involved in forming disciples for Jesus Christ by joining them to Christ and his life.
Because effective catechesis shapes a person’s total being, I heartily endorse “Forming Lutherans.” We do believe the Spirit is at work wherever the Gospel is present, don’t we?
All those who are to be baptized, both men and women, sit closely around the bishop … beginning with Genesis he goes through the whole Scripture … [teaching] not only about the Resurrection but also concerning the body of faith. This is called catechetics.
I knew well that visual testimony [of your baptism] is more trustworthy than mere hearsay and therefore I awaited this chance of finding you more amenable to my words, so that out of your personal experience I could lead you into the brighter and more fragrant meadow of Paradise of earth.
