Tackle Box: The Sequel

Reviews are included for all the resource items listed below.
* Items marked with an asterisk are included as part of the Eastern Synod Witness Sub-committee Tackle Box. All other items are available for loan from the Synod Office.

23. 5 Seasons Productions, 1997. Video. Seasons of the Spirit.
24. Archdiocese of Chicago, 1992. Video. This Is the Night.
25. Fuelling, Daniel, and Audrey Rothmaler, 1982. Congregational Outreach & Care: A Manual for Mini-Parish Leadership.
26. Hunter, George G., 1992. How to Reach Secular People.
27. Johnson, Donald W., 1995. Praying the Catechism.
28 (a). Leas, Speed B., and Roy M. Oswald, 1987. The Inviting Church: A Study of New Member Assimilation.
28 (b). Oswald, Roy M., 1992. Making Your Church More Inviting: A Step-by-Step Guide for In-Church Training.
28 (c). Oswald, Roy M., and Celia A. Hahn. Video. Assimilating New Members: The Workshop Videotapes.
29. McKay, William J., 1992. Me, an Evangelist? Every Christian's Guide to Caring Evangelism.
30. Mead, Loren B., 1995. More than Numbers: The Way Churches Grow.
31. Miller, Herb, ed. Creating a Positive Congregational Climate.
32. Miller, Herb, ed. Empowering Small-Town and Rural Congregations.
33. Miller, Herb, ed. Faith-Sharing Methods and Motivation.
34. Miller, Herb, ed. Strengthening Membership Care.
35. Miller, Herb, ed. Worship Visitor Evangelism.
36. Miller, Herb, et al. Invite a Friend Action Guide. (Plus Video).
37.* Mittleholtz, Brad, 1998. Soul Food: World Mission Bible Studies Developed for the World Mission Committee of the Eastern Synod, ELCIC.
38. Nosterud, Rolf, 1996. The Spiritual Quest in a Changing Culture.
39. Ruffcorn, Kevin E., 1994. Rural Evangelism: Catching the Vision.
40. Savage, John S., 1996. Listening & Caring Skills in Ministry: A Guide for Pastors, Counselors, and Small Group Leaders.
41. Schaller, Lyle, 1981. Activating the Passive Church: Diagnosis & Treatment.
42. Zarkadas, George, 1996. Video. Journey of the Spirit.

23. 5 Seasons Productions. Seasons of the Spirit. Oakville: Vision Viewer Services, 1997. (Sponsors include the Eastern Synod, ELCIC).
Video. 60 minutes.

The video tells four stories of people in various seasons of their lives and links those stories with the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The stories are both compelling and heartwarming. There is surprising honesty in the way people share their lives and their faith, their struggles and their joys. Hearing the stories as they unfold in the video helps us to think about where God is working in our own lives. It helps us find words to describe our faith and its importance.

I would recommend this video for congregational use. The whole video or individual segments could be shown followed by small group discussion with opportunities for people to share what season they are experiencing in their faith and personal lives. It would be a helpful starting point to equip people to begin to share their faith.

Rating: 5 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Susan Johnson
Available for loan through the Synod AV library - video #420

24. Archdiocese of Chicago. This Is the Night. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1992.
Video. 30 minutes.

This video is a rich and wonderful feast for the senses. It covers two days in the life of a Roman Catholic parish in Texas (Lent 5 and the Easter Vigil), exploring the poignant, human, and very ordinary journey of a church that takes seriously its call to help newcomers to the faith take on the ways of grace. I have shown this video to three catechumenate groups at the end of our year-long journeys (we usually end with a meal) and each group was captured by the video’s simple vision of ministry. Two catechumens were even ready to build an immersion-size font in the narthex floor. Maybe next year....

Rating: 5 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Michael Mills
ISBN: 0-929650-87-5
Available from: Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago
Phone: 1-800-933-1800approx. $39.95 US, plus 12% shipping and handling.

Available for loan through the Synod AV library - video #707

25. Fuelling, Daniel, and Audrey Rothmaler. Congregational Outreach & Care: A Manual for Mini-Parish Leadership. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1982.
Paperback. 40 pages, including Reference Library.

The book assumes that small groups are the glue of congregational ministry and therefore it is a small manual of how to systematically establish such groups in the parish. It includes a step-by-step guide to establishing groups for pastoral care and, while it is rather elementary, it could be helpful for those congregations not quite ready for Stephen Ministries.

The appendix includes an outline for training leaders, a service for distribution of home communion, and a service form for the installation of lay leaders.

Rating: 4 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Judi Williams
No longer available from publisher. Synod Office has one copy available for loan.

26. Hunter, George G. How to Reach Secular People. Nashville: Abingdon, 1992.
Paperback. 192 pages.

This book offers a helpful profile of "secular" people and how the church has alienated them and struggled to find appropriate means to communicate with them. It is a work to slog over and one must overlook the "decision for Christ" theology. However, in doing so, the chaff and the wheat will be effectively separated so that the challenging and enlightening information can be used to develop strategies for reaching "secular" or "unchurched" people in our communities. This book has extensive endnotes.

Rating: 4 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Judi Williams
ISBN: 0-687-17930-0
Augsburg Fortress code number: 40-17930-1 approx. $16.30 Cdn

27. Johnson, Donald W. Praying the Catechism. Winnipeg: Wallingford Press, 1995.
Paperback. Coil-bound. 211 pages.

This book invites us on a journey of prayer and meditation. Johnson notes in the introduction that Luther's "Small Catechism", which was originally written for family prayer and personal meditation, has more recently become "a focus of indoctrination rather than a focus of devotion." This book is meant to free the Catechism from its recent narrow role in the class room and to re-establish its place in the prayer room.

This guided journey covers 90 days. There is a daily meditation for Monday through Saturday of each week; on Sundays, we are encouraged to join in worship at church. In the 90 days, we travel through the six sections of the Catechism: The Ten Commandments, The Apostles' Creed, The Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confession. Each meditation includes encouragement and guidance for reflection and for prayer. The book also has suggestions for daily use (p.6).

This book was written to be used in the ELCIC Adult Catechumenate program. It is an excellent resource for this program, whether it be for adults who are preparing to be baptized, or for adults or youth preparing to affirm their baptism. (Yes, we have used it in our congregation!) However, it would be a mistake to think of this book as a resource to be used only for the Adult Catechumenate. It is a book that presents information, asks questions, and helps us to think about and pray about our relationship with God and what that relationship means for us in our daily living as baptized Christians. It would be useful, as the author suggests, for individual and family devotions. We could also use it in our congregations, in study groups or other small group settings, to help us talk about our faith and what it means in our lives.

Is the Catechism just for confirmation class? Or could it be a catalyst for faith-sharing and witness ministry in your congregation? Here is a book that can help!

Rating: 5 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Maaike Froelich
Augsburg Fortress code number: 34-995-7 approx. $9.95 Cdn

28 (a). Leas, Speed B., and Roy M. Oswald. The Inviting Church: A Study of New Member Assimilation. Washington, DC: Alban Institute, 1987.
Paperback. 113 pages.

28 (b). Oswald, Roy M. Making Your Church More Inviting: A Step-by-Step Guide for In-Church Training. Washington, DC: Alban Institute, 1992.
Paperback, workbook format. 119 pages.

28 (c). Oswald, Roy M., and Celia A. Hahn. Assimilating New Members: The Workshop Videotapes. Washington, DC: Alban Institute.
Video. Two tapes, 6 hours total. Includes 6 segments.

This group of materials has three components which are all related, but which vary considerably in their usefulness. Skip the video, read the book by Leas and Oswald for results of their research, but use Oswald's workbook to take interested congregational members and lay leaders through a step-by-step process to welcome and assimilate new members. The workbook is detailed, so that anyone willing to spend time in preparation could lead the sessions. But it is not for the uncommitted! Eight 2½ hour sessions or 16 one-hour sessions plus homework assignments mean that this will take work, but it seems to this reviewer that the effort would bring results.

The workbook includes information on building a team committed to personal growth and congregational growth by intentional outreach to newcomers. In addition, it includes planning tools and strategies to move newcomers through the process to becoming dedicated, active members. These ideas would be helpful to congregations with large numbers of inactive members too!

The video might be useful for the leader, but it is simply a single-camera recording of Oswald's seminar at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Unless you want mass apathy, do not show this to your trainees!!

The Inviting Church describes the results of research by Leas and Oswald into how churches assimilate new members. It has an interesting case study and interview questions for groups following their training guide. Interesting for background information, but not necessary for all trainees as the findings are discussed when relevant in the training workbook.

Reviewed by: Judi Williams

The Inviting Church:
Rating: 3½ fishes <>< <>< <>< <
ISBN: 1-56699-020-3
Alban code number: AL99
Augsburg Fortress code number: 40-99-1872 approx. $16.50 Cdn

Making Your Church More Inviting (workbook):
Rating: 4½ fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< <
ISBN: 1-56699-055-6
Alban code number: AL134
Augsburg Fortress code number: 40-55-1872 approx. $22.50 Cdn

Assimilating New Members (video):
Rating: 1½ fishes <>< <
Alban code number: AL121 approx.$49.95 US
Available for loan through the Synod AV library - video #411

29. McKay, William J. Me, an Evangelist? Every Christian's Guide to Caring Evangelism. St. Louis: Stephen Ministries, 1992.
Paperback. 231 pages.

This book contains the reading assignments for the Stephen Ministries "Caring Evangelism: How to Live and Share Christ's Love." It is an easily readable collection of vignettes showing real life experiences of evangelism. The style allows for a fast read, yet the discussions included in each chapter would form a good basis for group sharing and discussions. This book helps take the "terror" out of evangelism.

This is certainly a good addition to the "Caring Evangelism" material, yet it could be used on its own as well.

Rating: 4 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Judi Williams
ISBN: 0-9633831-0-8
Available from: Stephen Ministries, 8016 Dale Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63117-1449
Phone: (314)645-5511

30. Mead, Loren B. More than Numbers: The Way Churches Grow. Bethesda, MD: Alban Institute, 1995.
Paperback. 113 pages.

Loren Mead argues that numerical growth is not the only yardstick by which we can measure congregational growth and health. Spiritual, organizational, and missional growth are also very important. Congregations need to recognize and become comfortable with their particular mix of the four growth areas.

Targeted at both clergy and lay leaders, this book provides case studies and worksheets to help congregations to know where they are on the "Growth Grid" and how to become more healthy. An excellent resource for churches: large, small, urban, or rural.

Rating: 4½ fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< < Reviewed by: Hans Borch
ISBN: 1-56699-109-9
Alban code number: AL141
Augsburg Fortress code number: 40-141-1872 approx. $15.50 Cdn

31. Miller, Herb, ed. Creating a Positive Congregational Climate. Lubbock; TX: Net Results.
Packet. Set of articles related to the packet theme, by various authors, from past issues of Net Results magazine. 31 pages.

Herb Miller, the editor of Net Results, has put together a number of articles directly related to creating a positive congregational climate. The packet is filled with wonderful ideas, surveys, worksheets, and articles to provide congregations practical, "hands on" opportunities to know each other better. It is often said you need to love yourself before you can love another. An excellent resource for congregations to know themselves and what they believe.

Permission to photocopy the articles for distribution within the church is included with purchase of the packet.

Rating: 4½ fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< < Reviewed by: Hans Borch
Available from: Net Results, 5001 Avenue N, Lubbock, TX 79412-2993
approx. $12.00 US

32. Miller, Herb, ed. Empowering Small-Town and Rural Congregations. Lubbock, TX: Net Results.
Packet. Set of articles related to the packet theme, by various authors, from past issues of Net Results magazine. 18 pages.

Short articles about such topics as: increasing your church's visibility; how to revitalize rural congregations; how to build your church's community image; why a country church would be attractive to the newcomer. I found about half of the articles to be of some interest to those who are struggling with how to be effective in evangelism start-up and programming. Focus in on the topics listed above for more information. You will have to evaluate each article for yourself to see if it is applicable to your congregation.

A major point comes out in an article provided by the ELCA called "Revitalizing Rural Congregations." A congregation's enthusiasm translates into evangelism when: (1) These churches are led by pastors who are secure and competent enough to work with the congregation to develop concrete plans for mission growth (both spiritual and numerical) and evangelism. (2) These churches involve laity in making decisions, coordinating plans, and implementing activities. In short, laity are the church in action.

Permission to photocopy the articles for distribution within the church is included with purchase of the packet.

Rating: 3 fishes <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Kevin McLeod
Available from: Net Results, 5001 Avenue N, Lubbock, TX 79412-2993
approx. $12.00 US

33. Miller, Herb, ed. Faith-Sharing Methods and Motivation. Lubbock, TX: Net Results.
Packet. Set of articles related to the packet theme, by various authors, from past issues of Net Results magazine. 13 pages.

This packet includes a number of articles and guidelines for helping people to talk about their faith. The articles range from "Engaging in Spiritual Conversations" through "Five Principles of Witness and Outreach for Women" to "Guidelines for Faith Sharing." Targeted at both clergy and lay people, these articles help us to share our faith with others and provide a "starting block" on how to discuss your faith. Well worth reading.

Permission to photocopy the articles for distribution within the church is included with purchase of the packet.

Rating: 4 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Hans Borch
Available from: Net Results,5001 Avenue N, Lubbock, TX 79412-2993
approx. $12.00 US

34. Miller, Herb, ed. Strengthening Membership Care. Lubbock, TX: Net Results.
Packet. Set of articles related to the packet theme, by various authors, from past issues of Net Results magazine. 22 pages.

Short articles on such topics as: developing a care team; how to encourage the growth of lay ministry; using a ministry of pastoral notes of thanks and remembrance; a ministry of lay notewriters; and how to nurture and care for people in a growing church. There are excellent ideas contained within these articles that could be used by the pastor, the Witness ministry, ELW, or a Care and Concern Team. Herb Miller's article, "Developing a Care Team," has twelve good care team principles to follow. Also, read about a neat idea of how to involve more of the congregational members in ministry to the homebound in an article called "Multiplying Shut-In Contacts."

Permission to photocopy the articles for distribution within the church is included with purchase of the packet.

Rating: 4 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Kevin McLeod
Available from: Net Results, 5001 Avenue N, Lubbock, TX 79412-2993
approx. $12.00 US

35. Miller, Herb, ed. Worship Visitor Evangelism. Lubbock, TX: Net Results.
Packet. Set of articles related to the packet theme, by various authors, from past issues of Net Results magazine. 38 pages.

This packet is a wealth of ideas and methods of implementation that is a must for any congregation in the process of outreach and inreach. Titles include: Are you ready for company?, Effective evangelism calling in the large church, How to visit first time worship visitors, Pastor's telephone evangelism ..., Bringing them back, etc. The ideas presented are straightforward and to the point, with philosophy and practice well laid out and integrated. The whole packet will not necessarily appeal to each congregation, but there is bound to be some nugget or two or three that makes the purchase of the packet entirely worthwhile. The various articles (more than a dozen) are by a variety of authors, giving this resource a more rounded perspective.

Permission to photocopy the articles for distribution within the church is included with purchase of the packet.

Rating: 5 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Doug Kranz
Available from: Net Results, 5001 Avenue N, Lubbock, TX 79412-2993
approx. $12.00 US

36. Miller, Herb, George H. Gallup, Nicholas Van Dyck, and Mary Bettis Love. Invite a Friend Action Guide. Princeton, NJ: Religion In American Life.
Action Guide: Paperback booklet. 31 pages.
Video.

This is a program which outlines a process whereby a single congregation or a group of congregations within a community can implement a witness outreach to their community. This material describes the program in an easily understood and organized fashion, allows congregations to explore how inviting they are, inspires them to a new understanding of being faithful congregations within today's society, and emphasizes personal invitation on behalf of all members.

The video provides an introduction to the "Invite a Friend" program as well as some prepackaged radio and television ads. Included in the guide are also some excellent, creative, ready-made ads for newspapers and newsletters.

Very comprehensive, yet not overwhelming. An excellent resource in many ways.

Rating: 4½ fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< < Reviewed by: Doug Kranz
Available from: Religion In American Life, 2 Queenston Place, Room 200, Princeton, New Jersey, USA 08540
Phone: 1-800-428-8292 Fax: (609) 921-3639
approx. $39 US plus $7 shipping and handling
Video available for loan through the Synod AV library - video # 421

37. Mittleholtz, Brad. Soul Food: World Mission Bible Studies Developed for the World Mission Committee of the Eastern Synod, ELCIC. Kitchener: Eastern Synod, 1998.
Unbound document. 7 pages.

This set of five bible studies is a welcome resource both for those congregations and/or groups wishing to explore the church's and individual's role in mission at home and around the world as well as for those interested in inspiring a sense of witness within a faith community.

It involves not just the study of scripture, but also interesting and easily done activities which lead to meaningful discussion and reflection.

Rating: 3½ fishes <>< <>< <>< < Reviewed by: Doug Kranz
(Editor's note: Some Witness Sub-Committee members gave this resource a higher rating.)
Included as part of the Eastern Synod Witness Sub-Committee Tackle Box "the sequel."
If you wish to photocopy this resource, please include the following note:
Created by Brad Mittleholtz for World Mission Committee, Eastern Synod, ElCIC. Distributed by Eastern Synod ELCIC Witness Sub-Committee in Tackle Box "the sequel". Used by permission.

38. Nosterud, Rolf. The Spiritual Quest in a Changing Culture. Regina: Aurora, 1996.
Paperback. 120 pages.
Spiral-bound Leader's Supplement. 154 pages.

Written as a teaching resource for the ELCIC's Adult Catechumenate Program, Nosterud's book takes newcomers to the faith through a theological reading of the Sunday Liturgy. Beginning with a timely question: To be or not to be religious?, readers are then led through a discussion which embraces: Confession and Absolution, Baptism, Life in Community, The Word, The Creed, The Offering, and The Eucharist. After each chapter Nosterud includes a list of discussion questions, pertinent scripture readings, a suggested prayer, and a brief bibliography. (The Leader's Supplement includes the discussion questions, scripture quotations, etc. but has more in-depth theological analyses.)

I particularly appreciate the fact that the book is careful to avoid arcane language and "church-speak." It is helpful as a base theological primer and is well-suited to the informal style of catechumenate discussion groups.

Rating: 4 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Michael Mills
Augsburg Fortress code number: 0-9697164-2-7 approx. $10.95 Cdn
(Leader's Supplement: 0-9697164-3-5 approx. $18.95 Cdn)

39. Ruffcorn, Kevin E. Rural Evangelism: Catching the Vision. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1994.
Paperback. 128 pages.

This book helps rural/small town congregations realize that they are called to be evangelists. "Evangelism is the proclamation of the good news, both inwardly and outwardly, by word and action in an intentional and relational manner" (p. 20). But don't be fooled by the title! This is a thought-provoking and discussion-generating workbook for all congregations, both urban and rural. Ruffcorn states that the most important element in any evangelism program is the pastor and the pastor's vision, and the sharing of that vision with the congregation so that it becomes their own vision of mission to the world. The people must take ownership of that vision.

Ruffcorn uses many illustrations that are reflective of true-life situations for pastors and congregations of today. Of primary importance is the fact that the gospel is relevant to what people encounter in their daily lives. The gospel needs to be an understood message that can be integrated into daily life. The chapter entitled "Shaking the Pillars" states plainly that evangelism spurs change and change is accompanied by conflict. Many congregations fear change and conflict, and it is this fear that paralyzes the attempt to become evangelistic. "If a congregation is to become evangelistic, it must face its fear" (p. 65). Ruffcorn goes on to give some easily understood process of change material and rules for managing conflict. The pastor leads the congregation in change and is seen as an innovator. An innovator is not an opponent of the old, but rather a proponent of the new.

The rest of the book shows how we can overcome our fears of past failures and how we can challenge ourselves to strive for the future of the church and those who are inactive or unchurched. There are many good resources footnoted for you to explore. Each chapter ends with discussion questions that would make it useful for ministries and key leaders of your church. There is a "Congregational Evangelism Worksheet" that would help you gain a better perspective of the congregation's evangelistic presence in the community.

The best quote from the book is by Bishop Herbert Chilstrom of the ELCA who said, "If congregations do not see the missionary field at their door, they may die - - and should" (p. 58).

Rating: 5 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Kevin McLeod
ISBN: 0-8066-2642-9
Augsburg Fortress code number: 9-2642 approx. $16.50 Cdn

40. Savage, John S. Listening & Caring Skills in Ministry: A Guide for Pastors, Counselors, and Small Group Leaders. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996.
Paperback. 152 pages.

This book introduces the idea that an "interpersonal gap" exists when people speak to each other and it presents a number of teachable listening skills that can be used to help close this gap and reduce errors in communication. Ways to practise and develop these listening skills are included. Part One of the book describes seven "basic" listening skills: paraphrase, productive questions, perception check, expression of feelings and emotions, fogging, negative inquiry, and behaviour description. Part Two discusses story listening and also listening and responding to opposites in someone's story. Part Three introduces and explains two "advanced" listening skills.

This is a useful book on an important topic. The way we listen to people is often at least as important in our caring for them as the words that we speak to them. The book presents both theoretical and practical information, in a well-organized way, with many examples. While the sub-title indicates that this book is intended "for pastors, counselors, and small group leaders", it really deserves a much wider readership. Anyone who serves on a church council or is involved in any kind of congregational visitation activities would probably find it helpful to learn better listening skills. Indeed, listening is also an important part of faith-sharing, bearing another's burdens, loving our neighbour, and all those kinds of things that every Christian is called to do.

Two words of caution: (1) It does take some effort to develop better listening skills, so don't try to learn them all at once. (2) If the "advanced" listening skills seem a bit intimidating (Neuro-Linguistic Programming ?!!), it's o.k. to ignore the last chapter or two. Please don't start to read this book from the back!

Rating: 4 fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< Reviewed by: Maaike Froelich
ISBN: 0-687-01716-5
Augsburg Fortress code number: 40-1716-1 approx. $22.25 Cdn

41. Schaller, Lyle. Activating the Passive Church: Diagnosis & Treatment. Nashville: Abingdon, 1981.
Paperback. 159 pages.

As the subtitle suggests, this book is useful in identifying the situations and characteristics of a passive church - - that is, a church which seems unable to find energy for ministry or outreach. It includes an exercise for congregational self-analysis, for the reasons behind congregational passivity are many and varied. In an easy-to-read format, following four very different passive congregations, Schaller then sets out to enable congregations to re-define themselves, which encourages the leadership to formulate goals which can help to re-activate the church.

Schaller includes a chapter on newcomers who can be both assets and liabilities in the life of the re-activating church. Schaller concludes the book with ten suggestions for a productive strategy for new ministry.

This is an excellent resource for clergy and lay leaders who are struggling in a passive congregation. It is a good "work" book, providing questions, exercises, discussions, and new insights for re-activating a passive congregation.

Rating: 4½ fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< < Reviewed by: Judi Williams
ISBN 0-687-00716-x
Augsburg Fortress code number: 40-716-1 approx. $14.50 Cdn

42. Zarkadas, George. Journey of the Spirit. Vancouver: Strata, 1996.
Video. 50 minutes.

This two-part video, produced for the ELCIC, provides a wonderful introduction to the Adult Catechumenate, Living Witnesses. Two questions form a framework for the video: what is baptism? and how do we bring people into the church?

In the first segment of the video, called "Helping Hands", several people who have participated in catechumenate ministry talk about their roles and experiences as coordinator, catechist, sponsor, and pastor. They also describe their working together as a catechumenate team and reflect on some of the things they learned from the process. A young man also talks about his experiences in the catechumenate as he prepared to affirm his baptism. Throughout this segment, the "very important role" of the congregation is emphasized repeatedly. In part two, called "Reaching Out", three people who have affirmed their baptism, and their sponsors, share insights and feelings about their catechumenate journey. As I watched this part, I realized that I was seeing "Living Witnesses" in action!

This video would be a good starting point if you are thinking about an Adult Catechumenate in your congregation. I would also recommend it for anyone who is wondering what "this catechumenate thing" is really all about. Because of its focus on faith-sharing, discipleship, and journeying together as we help one another grow in faith, this is also an excellent resource for any pastor, or church council, or other group, who may be looking for ways to develop and strengthen other areas of the congregation's witness ministry.

This video, by itself, does not provide complete training information for a catechumenate team. If the video helps inspire you to start an Adult Catechumenate in your congregation, additional help and resources for training are available through the Synod Office.

Rating: 4½ fishes <>< <>< <>< <>< < Reviewed by: Maaike Froelich
Augsburg Fortress order code: 35-3999-7 approx. $39.99 Cdn
Available for loan through the Synod AV library - video #70