Catechism Symposium Slated for June 10–12
Christian educators, clergy and scholars will be discussing the history and the future of Anglican Christian education June 10–12 in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. The Symposium, titled “Cradle to Grave Discipleship” will be led by the Rev. Dr. Jack Gabig, who directs the Young Anglicans Project for the Anglican Communion Network. It will offer a North American response to the Anglican Catechism in Outline.
“The most important task for the church is the care of souls. Our past failures in this have in large measure contributed to our present crisis. Our efforts to build a biblical, missionary and united Anglican future in North America demand we seriously engage with this task,” said Gabig.
The Anglican Catechism in Outline was made public in draft form this past February. It is the work of the Global South Anglican Theological Formation and Education Task Force. “I like it a lot,” said Gabig. According to Gabig, the document, like other historic Anglican catechisms, is built around Faith, Hope and Love. It uses the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments as the chief elements taught to young or new Christians. “It says, this is what an Anglican disciple looks like,” said Gabig. With that clear theological content, comes a great deal of flexibility in teaching. Unlike earlier catechisms, the Anglican Catechism in Outline is not based on a question and answer format. “Rather, each province is responsible for determining how best to teach it in their setting,” explained Gabig.
Joining Gabig in presenting at the symposium will the The Rev. Canon Dr. J. Douglas McGlynn, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of parish ministry and homiletics at Nashotah House; the Rev. Dr. Les Fairfield, emeritus professor of church history at Trinity seminary; The Rev. Dr. Kevin Donlon, rector of Church of the Resurrection in Tampa, Florida, and a member of the Global South Anglican Theological Formation and Education Team; and Mr. Peter Rothermehl, coordinator of the Department of Christian Faith Formation for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.
Hosted by Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, “Cradle to Grave Discipleship” is limited to 125 participants. Academics, clergy, children and youth workers are all welcome to participate. “It is time to think intentionally about how we teach the faith,” said Gabig.
The registration form, as well as a copy of the Anglican Catechism in Outline are available on the homepage of www.young-anglicans.org.