The Modern Catechumenate in the Diocese of Christchurch, 1993-2002

Abstract

Introduction : The Modern Catechumenate In The Diocese Of Christchurch.

At its heart, the Catechumenate is about forming and energizing Gospel practitioners.

Joel Green and Mark Baker conclude their book Recovering the Scandal of the Cross: Atonement in New Testament and Contemporary Contexts, by wondering how, in this day and age, we might “articulate the saving significance of the cross.” "The shape of discipleship in the Gospels...and the theological content of the New Testament (taken together)...suggest that (1) following Jesus is focussed on transformation of faith and life...and (2) faithfulness is a process or journey of working out the significance and implications of the gospel in the face of new challenges. Doing theology, then, is not a matter of repeating the tradition or committing to memory a ten-step manual. It has to do with formation as practitioners of the gospel. To whom (then) shall we apprentice ourselves?"[1]

Which is exactly the complex question every Christian leader and believer must find an answer to as they construct a dynamic response to the matter of becoming a follower of Jesus.

Over the last 50 years or so, a huge amount of energy and time has gone into the re- discovery and re-animation of the time-honoured practice of catechetical instruction and training as one particular attempt at an answer to the question “How are gospel practitioners to be formed”?

Early in the 1990s the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch launched the Catechumenate. There was a disturbing outcome; this attempt to implement an ancient and honourable mode of Christian instruction, formation and baptismal preparation failed to gain any traction and within a decade disappeared from view as a significant Diocesan and parish

[1] Joel B. Green and Mark D. Baker (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000), 216.