The Way of Jesus: Reclaiming the Catechumenate

Brian BeckstromCampus Pastor

Wartburg College (IA)

Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IAEvangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Context:• 1,700 Students• 15% Int’l; 10% American

Ethnic• 30% Lutheran, 25% Catholic• Increasing population of

“none’s” & students from multi faith backgrounds

What is it?• Semester long faith exploration

and formation process

• Catechumenate

• Began 2013-2014 academic year

• Students, faculty, and staff may participate.

The Way of Jesus: Why?

What is the Catechumenate?• Spiritual formation process

for people with little or no faith experience.

• A Pre Christendom model for a post Christendom world.

The Way of Jesus

Goals Finding a place to

belong Explore and ask

questions Practice faith in a

safe environment

Overview

Semester long process 3 week exploration period Rite of Welcome 6 weeks of preparation.

Worship weekly on campus Take time to pray or reflect daily Meet weekly with small group

Rite of Baptism/Affirmation of Baptism

The Way of Jesus

Session outline

Welcome Examen

• Most alive?• Least alive?• Where have you seen God?

Dwelling in the Word (Pastors leave)• Don’t ask what does this mean or tell others what it means.• 1st Reading: What do you hear/notice?• 2nd Reading: What questions do you have for the text?• 3rd Reading: What is God saying to you through the text?

Prayer

The Way of Jesus

Way of Jesus Leadership

Mentor or small group leader for the next “Way of Jesus” class

Next year students will lead all the groups

SALT (Service and Leadership Team) Intentional community comprised of campus faith

leaders and “Way of Jesus” graduates Meet monthly over a meal to discuss what God is

doing on campus and continue to grow as disciples

What’s Next?

What we’ve learned

Keep it simple & get out of the way

Experiment Some students are

scared of ritual

Diana Butler Bass• Christianity after Religion (2012: HarperCollins)• Christianity for the Rest of Us (2009: HarperCollins)

Pastor Paul Hoffman• Faith Forming Faith (2012: Wipf & Stock)

Jessica Krey Duckworth• Wide Welcome (2013: Prisms)

NAAC (North American Association for the Catechumenate)• http://www.catechumenate.org

Resources