God’s Gift of Life-Long Training

Since the catechumenate is ecclesial formation for ministry of the baptized, it is appropriate that the catechists be representative of the diversity of the local congregation.

And the long-time Episcopalians and the prospective Episcopalians will all phone me to ask, “What does it mean?” And I’ll respond, “Your real question should be, “Why should I learn these brand new words?”¹

Rally Day’s Christian values lie just beneath this complex sentence. Choosing ministry is choosing loving, divinely purposeful, about-my-gifts-but-not-about-me service to Christ Jesus by serving the people of His community.

As Christianity grew in its first 350 years, catechists taught family patriarchs (like Stephanas²). When the Church concluded doctrinal instruction³ with any needed ethics lessons⁴ the catechists presented the whole family for baptism. The patriarch then had an understood ministry of instructing his family in the Christian ways after their baptism. Whether short or long, formation continued. Letters from the apostles and post-baptismal training on sacraments are just two examples. No sacrament is a graduation from learning.

Now, our ministry-choices have been developing since baptism (confirmation). God has given us our brothers and sisters. They speak of their development--their journey to become more Christ-like. St. Barnabas’ diverse laity represent the depth of Christ’s new life.

Faith deepens as we accept this gift. Ethics sharpen as each shares what God calls them to do. On Rally Day, don’t fear the people at tables with sign up lists. Ask them to share a story of how them came closer to Christ with the others in their ministry team.

Don’t be roped in by duty. Rally to the story of God’s love for us in Odessa. Choose an opportunity to be both student and catechist as one rooted in God’s love. And 2005-2006 will show that it’s a wonderful life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yours in Christ
David J. Mossbarger+

¹After all, long-time Episcopalians are still learning terms like cincture, burse and maniple. ²I Cor. 1:16 ³ Some suggest that Acts 8:30-37 and 10:22, 34-43 are examples of doctrinal instruction only. ⁴ Some suggest that Acts 2:38-40 and 3:12-26 are examples of doctrinal and moral instruction