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 same denominational jurisdiction (in the LCMS’ case: circuits) or that are in the same geographical region. Developing a joint catechumenate in congregations in relatively close proximity to one another can address some of the challenges that we isolated:

• The relatively small number of adult catechumens in a congregation
• Conflict within a congregation and/or lethargy relative to a new approach toward making disciples
• Lack of pastoral, ministerial, and lay staffing and insufficiency of time and energy to lead an adult catechumenate

Congregations joining forces to develop an adult catechumenate can address all these challenges. I believe congregations could work together to develop a join catechumenate in rural, urban, and suburban contexts.

So, what are the benefits of developing a joint adult catechumenate between two, three, or more congregations?

• The Pastoral and Ministerial Team: A joint catechumenate expands the pastoral and ministerial resources. Instead of one pastor, and perhaps another church worker, in one congregation, two or more pastors and ministerial associates could lead the catechumenate together. This also mitigates against the demands of time and energy imposed upon a solo pastor in one congregation. It also brings the imaginative, planning, and teaching gifts of all those involved to the development of the catechumenate in that area. The planning efforts are not born by only one person.
• Lay Volunteers: As with the ministerial team, this would expand the pool of lay volunteers to conduct the catechumenate. Catechists, sponsors, and volunteers could be drawn from several congregations, dispersing the service load and preventing burnout. With both the ministerial team and the lay volunteers, it avoids duplication of effort and drains on energy and time for those engaged in the catechumenate.
• Larger Cohort of Catechumens: If a congregation has only one or two catechumens in any given year, associating with other congregations could significantly grow the cohort. Instead of 1 catechumen, when four congregations join there might be 4-8 in any given cohort. This decreases the sense of isolation, catechumens now making the journey with others walking the same path. It develops an awareness of the body of Christ, not only within the congregations, but also within the cohort. The gifts and challenges of becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus are shared with others.
• Video Communication Software: If the distances are simply too large for the catechumens to gather on a weekly or regular basis, then software such as Zoom could be used to bring the catechumens together. Such software would also allow catechumens to join when they cannot attend the weekly/regular gathering.

Through such a joint catechumenal effort, congregations would develop a clearer vision of the unity of the body of Christ across a geographic region and between congregations.

There are challenges with developing a collaborative adult catechumenate.

• Congregational Isolationism: As with any congregation developing an adult catechumenate, the vision for it would have to be embedded in the leadership of the congregations. I would bring them together to share fellowship over a meal and to lead them through what the initial experience of the catechumenate might look like. These joint sessions would hopefully break down the walls between the congregations.
• Distance between Congregations: If there is a significant distance between the congregations, there are a number of ways to tackle this challenge. I already mentioned video communication software. Classes could rotate between congregations on a weekly basis. Or they could be rotated between congregations during the four periods of the catechumenate. The rites that mark the catechumenate could be done individually within each congregation. Or they could be done in special services that would be shared among the congregations. There could be one Easter Vigil service at one of the congregations, rotated on a yearly basis.
• Coordinated Planning and Leadership: It would be beneficial to have on pastoral, ministerial, and/or lay coordinator that would plan and organize the catechumenate across the congregations.
• Financial Commitments: A plan would have to develop for the congregations to jointly share any costs associated with the catechumenate. Perhaps a joint fund to which all the congregations would contribute could finance any costs associated with the catechumenate. This might include ways to offset the fuel costs for catechumens.

I strongly believe that such collaborative efforts are needed to develop catechumenates among compact congregations. We’d love to hear your ideas by contacting us at Kent@FormingLutherans.org or Rhoda@FormingLutherans.org. We’d also love to see a region develop a joint catechumenate. You could apply for funds from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship’s Worshipping Communities Grant Program. Go to: Program Overview | Worshiping Communities Grants | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.