Resources-baptism/ Christian Initiation
The resources listed here are primarily related to the church's lived practice of
welcoming youth and adults to life in Christ through formation, baptism, and life in and
with the church. Some are foundational theological statements that support the
contemporary quest to recover the centrality of baptism to our life and witness.
Basic Ecumenical Resources
Other Significant Ecumenical texts
Denominational Resources:
Anglican Church in Canada
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Episcopal (ECUSA) Resources
Mennonite
Reformed Church in America
Roman Catholic
United Methodist Resources
The resources listed here are primarily related to the church's lived practice of
welcoming youth and adults to life in Christ through formation, baptism, and life in and
with the church. Some are foundational theological statements that support the
contemporary quest to recover the centrality of baptism to our life and witness.
Basic Ecumenical Resources
- Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (Faith and Order paper no. 111, the Lima
document of the World Council of Churches)--perhaps the most significant and
influential ecumenical text of the 20th century. Available as a pdf download. - Baptism: Christ's Act in the Church by Laurence Stookey. A classic scholarly
text.
Other Significant Ecumenical texts
- "Becoming Christian" (the ecumenical implications of our baptism--from the
1997 Faith and Order Consultation) - "One Baptism: Toward Mutual Recognition [a text-in-progress]" Taking up a
suggestion from Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry the text sets the liturgical
moment of baptism within a process of life-long growth into Christ, and seeks to
encourage wider mutual recognition of baptism among the churches. Appendix I
contains an important set of questions for local church and local ecumenical
conversation.
Denominational Resources:
Anglican Church in Canada
- Making Disciples: Serving Those Who Are Entering the Christian Life by
John W. B. Hill Toronto, Ontario: The Hoskin Group, 1991.Making Disciples is a
user's handbook for all levels of experience with the catechumenate. It provides
direction for drawing the congregation together around the catechumenal vision,
offers history and theology of the catechumenate as well as rites, resources,
scripture options for catechetical sessions, and suggestions of suitable music.
This volume is currently out of print, but its sequel is under development and
can be accessed on line. Click here.
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
- Journey to Jesus: The Worship, Evangelism and Nuture Ministry of the
Church, by Robert E. Webber (Abingdon Press, 2001).
There are four 36-page workbooks that go along with Journey to Jesus titled
Follow Me!, Be My Disciple!, Walk in the Spirit!, and Find Your Gift! The
workbooks are available from Institute for Worship Studies, 866-510-8400. E-
mail: worshipweb@aol.com
Episcopal (ECUSA) Resources
- "The Catechumenate:Forming the Body of Christ in the 21st Century" A
statement from the Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission. - "Holy Baptism: A Liturgical and Pastoral Commentary" Provides a detailed
discussion of the pastoral, theological, and practical concerns of Christian
initiation. - Book of Occasional Services (2003 edition) Contains a description of the adult
initiation process and provides the rites for the journey from inquiry to baptism.
Available in English, French and Spanish.
Mennonite
- Welcoming New Christians A video and pdf resource (no longer in print). To
get the pdf, search "Welcoming New Christians" on Google.
- Welcome to Christ A series of four books to introduce and equip local church
leaders to implement the adult Christian initiation. - What Do You Seek? Welcoming the Adult Inquirer
Reformed Church in America
- Companions on the Way A guide for elders as they tend to the spiritual needs
of those exploring or rediscovering the Christian faith.
Roman Catholic
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (study edition) The official American
English language text of the modern catechumenate. The ur-text for most
of the other church's adaptation of the modern adaptation of the rites of
initiation. - For an extensive listing of ancillary resources go to the North American
Forum on the Catechumenate.
United Methodist Resources
- By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism --
several online formats of an official statement on baptism that was adopted
by 1996 United Methodist General Conference, including an indexed and
linked text for easy search. - By Water and the Spirit: Making Connections for Identity and Ministry by
Gayle C. Felton. This is a study version of the official UM paper set up for a
six week in-depth exploration. - Come to the Waters: Baptism and Our Ministry of Welcoming Seekers and
Making Disciples by Daniel T. Benedict Jr. - El Bautismo: puerta de entrada a una nueva vida en Cristo Manual de
estudio por Aquiles Ernesto Martínez. A bilingual teaching textI Belong to
God An Intergenerational Study of Baptism in the United Methodist Church
by Carolyn K. Tanner. - Remember Who You Are Baptism, a Model for Christian Life by William H.
Willimon. Classic text by a beloved teacher and bishop. - Sacraments & Discipleship:Understanding Baptism and the Lord's Supper
in a United Methodist Context by Mark W. Stamm.
- Compiled by Daniel Benedict, OSL
10/26/08
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
