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A message for your inquirers

By Charles Mantey, JBL Board Member

So, you have wondered about the Christian faith and have been asked to come to a gathering to talk about your concerns. It may be at a church or at the coffee shop or maybe even at the local bar. You may wonder what is going to happen there. Will I be put on the spot or be lectured to? 

Rest easy. What you will experience is a time where you will have a chance to ask your questions, tell a little bit about yourself and begin an exploration that will lead to a deepening of faith whether through baptism or affirmation of baptism. This is the first part of the catechumenal process called Inquiry. You will not be pressured into making any decision. Only listen for what God might be calling you to be and to do in your life. You may take as much time as you like. 

The primary element you will find in Inquiry is hospitality. You may have little or no church background, or you may come from quite a different faith expression. No matter who you are, you will find a warm welcome to the community and a time to ask whatever questions you may have. You may not get the answers you want right away but be patient, there’s a distance to go. At this stage of the journey, a listening ear is more important than the right answer. Finally, don’t worry about how much you know or don’t know about the Christian faith. All your questions and comments will be honored. 

You will have an opportunity if you like to tell your own story. As others tell their story, community may begin to happen. Leaders will also share a bit of their personal stories and together you will get to know each other and feel more comfortable in asking those really important questions that you may have. 

One thing that you can count on: you will be prayed for as you seek God’s will in your life. Hang on tight! Your journey is just beginning

What can I do for the people in the catechumenate?

By Michael Marchal, JBL:NAAC Board Member

You together are the body of Christ, but each of you is a different part… 1 Cor. 12:27

Being a “lone ranger” telling the world about Jesus is not the picture that emerges from the New Testament of what it meant to be and to live as a Christian. The Christian world in Jerusalem is portrayed as a tightly knit community, not only gathering together for regular prayer and service, but also holding all things in common. Even St. Paul, the most far-ranging of the apostles, reveals in his letters his deep need for constant connection with the communities that he founded if he was to carry out his mission.

This sense of community challenges us to examine our relationship with potential new members of our community. The people most intimately involved with the catechumenate may be the clergy and the people involved in Christian education, but the potential new members are not preparing to become clergy or teachers; they are exploring how to become what we all are—members of the body of Christ.

What can each of us who are already members do for these people on their journey of transformation?

First, we need to pray for them… really pray! Each of us has experienced times of doubt and temptation and resistance to the call of the Spirit. So, we know what gifts of healing and encouragement to ask for these seekers. We might even feel drawn to “adopt” one of them as someone for whom we will especially pray.

The same attitude of prayer is crucial during the rites of the catechumenate that occur in Sunday worship. The service may be a little longer, but how else will these seekers experience the presence of Christ in the community?

Second, we need to welcome them in an ongoing way. During coffee hour, we need to introduce ourselves. We need to do that again and again until they know our name and we know theirs. We need to ask them how things are going in their journey and show them that our genuine concern lies behind that question. If we are involved in a ministry, we can invite them to join. This kind of involvement is especially important for outreach ministries. Again, how will they know that Christians like us find Christ really present in the poor, the homeless, and the exploited unless we involve them in real service?

Third, we need to bear witness to them about the faith that is in us, if we are given the occasion. Whether in a casual conversation or in a more formal presentation, we need to share with them our own journey with Jesus. And we need to do so boldly, again claiming the promise that the Spirit will give us the right words to say.

Share your responses or questions on our website.