A few day ago I happened across this blog which linked to this fascinating article on catechesis.
Yeah, I didn’t know what Catechesis was either. I’ve written some posts here and there about catechism and it’s place in the modern protestant church. Most of us, including myself have images of old and outdated practices when we here this word. However, I think that many of us realize that the generation of Christ followers we’re developing are less than grounded. I’m not throwing out the idea of investing in parents to where they have the spiritual lead or throwing out small groups where peers and adult leaders can build into students. I’m talking about some manner of content that aligns the next generation with sound beliefs in a world of relativism. I honestly think we need to take a another look at catechism and see it’s place in today’s church, especially the church like mine where most who attend are totally unchurched. Catechism was designed for such people more than a thousand years ago.
What I found intriguing was how it was the reformers like Calvin and Luther who revived catechism, specifically for children as well as adults. As a response to the reformers, the Catholic church revised their catechism. It’s been a lot of months that I’ve been talking about catechism and I think I’m pretty close to moving on something. Maybe by this time next year I’ll have another angle to share, how we’re building young Christ followers the old fashioned way.
I think this is great. Every three or four months, I read Calvin’s Catechism and think about updating it for kids today. I’ve started (just barely), but other things always seem to interrupt. I’m curious to find out what you’re “close to moving on.” Best of luck to you.
.-= Wayne Stocks´s last blog ..Shaped By The Story =-.
There is something good about old-fashioned back-to-the-basics Christian education.
This is a fine line here. So much of the church has paid a steep price to be relevant to our culture. I think there are some practices that have been abandoned that may need to be picked up and updated to a relevant way. When I used “old fashioned” in my title, I say it tongue in cheek as the term old fashioned really doesn’t sit well with me, especially in ministry.
Kenny,
I agree. I’m not a fan a ritual for the sake of ritual or doing something because that’s the way it has always been done. On the other hand, I think it’s dangerous to get in a position where we are convinced that we can do everything bigger and better than it has ever been done before. Just because a method has been used before does not mean that it is inherently bad. When we start to cast off the past because the past is “by definition” not relevant to the present, we lose the opportunity to learn from has and hasn’t worked throughout the history of the church.
Thanks for the article. I find it very thought-provoking.
.-= Wayne Stocks´s last blog ..Shaped By The Story =-.
We can teach Christian education in an ‘old-fashioned’ way without doing it like it’s always been done. There is something to be said about teaching the basic Christian beliefs that sometimes get left out in our often consumer-minded worship settings.
Kenny, I know you took a look at our resources:
http://sojournkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/fwg-age-by-age-revision.pdf
I’d love to hear what you thought.
.-= Jared Kennedy´s last blog ..Easter Video: God’s Wonderful Surprise =-.