Rediscovering the Catechumenate: Part 1 (Featuring Dr. Gerald Sittser)

About this episode

Dr. Gerald Sittser discusses the historical role of the catechumenate in helping communities follow Jesus amidst cultural opposition.

How can our communities learn to follow Jesus in a way that is within, but not defined by, our surrounding culture? In this episode, Dr. Gerald Sittser draws from the history of the early church to explore how the Jesus movement grew — slowly, relationally, and often in the margins. He reflects on the role of the catechumenate and the long, patient work of communities that learned how to follow Jesus in an opposing culture. This teaching offers a historical and deeply practical vision of formation, inviting us to consider what we are building and whether it can endure beyond the conditions that currently support it. This session was held at the Practicing the Way Pastor Conference in Portland, Oregon, in 2023. To find more resources and experiences tailored just for you—the pastor—visit practicingtheway.org/pastor. This podcast and its episodes are free, thanks to the generosity of The Circle and other givers. You can learn more about The Circle or contribute toward future resources like this podcast at practicingtheway.org/give.

People in this episode

Host: Practicing the Way

Guest: Dr. Gerald Sittser

Topics covered

• catechumenate
• early church
• Jesus movement
• community formation
• cultural opposition

Keywords

• catechumenate
• early church
• Jesus movement
• community
• spiritual formation
• cultural context
• pastoral resources

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Practicing the Way

Places: Portland, Oregon

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