Nick Wagner is the cofounder and codirector of Team Initiation.
There are four major components of Christian life in which we train the catechumens: word, community, worship, and witness through works of mercy (see RCIA 75). Today, we have to ask how these areas of Christian life translate in the digital culture. (Click here to read my previous article on evangelization and catechesis in a […]
Four ways RCIA teams can inculturate Christian life in the digital world
A foundational principle of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is that it bears “a markedly paschal character” (RCIA 8; see also 4 and 75.1). This has to be so because the church itself is born out of the paschal mystery. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the first document produced by the Second
What RCIA teams need to teach about church
Diana and I recently returned from Australia where I gave a keynote presentation for the Christian Initiation Australia Network (CIAN) National Conference. The topic was New Tools for a New Age. My goal was to describe how to use the tools of social media to enhance the catechumenate process. As soon as I learned what the
Diana and I have been on an amazing month-long journey through much of Australia. In our time there, we learned (or relearned) several things. We are on a journey that promises life, but we don’t always see it. We are called, as Abraham and Sarah was, to leave our country for a country the Lord
Journey to the source: Five things you need to know about the RCIA
Last Saturday, Diana and I met with about 100 RCIA leaders from the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia. The topic we were asked to address is how to use the new tools of social media to assist in the catechumenate process. That’s not an easy topic. For those of us who did not grow up with
I ran across an article recently titled “Seven Differences Between Spirituality and Religion.” From what I can tell from a Google search, the author is a young man who has survived a difficult life. I don’t want to criticize whatever strategies he’s used to hang onto a healthy, peaceful life. But I do want to
Seven ways to be both spiritual and religious
1. Storytelling Jesus taught through stories, and so should we. Storytelling conveys information on multiple level, and is a powerful tool for influencing behavior. If you want to teach the seekers how to be disciples, teach them using the techniques of the Master. For more guidance on using storytelling in your catechesis, click here. 2.
Six skills every RCIA catechist must have
What would you say if I told you that none of us are actually catechists or teachers? That’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: In catechesis … “It is Christ alone who teaches — anyone else teaches to the extent that he is Christ’s spokesman, enabling Christ to teach with his lips.” (427)
Ten ways RCIA teams teach like Jesus
Every parish thinks their team is too small. I met some folks from a Texas megaparish that has 35 people on their RCIA team. They think their team is too small. The smallest team I have served with is three — me and two others. Jesus started with one and maxed out at 12. And
Help! My RCIA team is too small
