Catechist/Christian Formation Leader
The role of CATECHIST is often confusing to Episcopalians. The Episcopal Church defines this ministry as: A Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith (Title III, Canon 4, sec. 8).
Most of us are familiar with the term Christian Education or Christian Formation Director. The intent of this canon and this ministry was ultimately to reintroduce the “Catechumenate” and its derived programs into local congregations. The practicality is that this certificate program is to enable enrollees to implement courses of life-long Christian Formation for all people in a congregation.
The authorization is a license issued from the Bishop’s Office to the Church for the lay person to exercise this ministry. In the Diocese of Long Island the license is granted for three (3) years, renewable twice (for another six years giving a total of nine years), following the Diocesan training program for Catechists.
In renewing the license, the Bishop shall consider the performance of the ministry by the person licensed, continuing education in the licensed area, and the endorsement of the member of the clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith in which the person is serving (Title III, Canon 4, Sec. 2b). Before the license can be renewed for a third time the Catechist shall show proof of continuing education approved by the Director of the Mercer School of Theology.
This formation course is a two-year certificate program that comprises courses in the Scriptures (Hebrew and Christian), Introduction to Liturgy, Prayer Book Worship, a Foundations Course in Christian Formation Essentials, Church History and Doctrine, the Church and Contemporary Issues, Ethics, Church Safety Issues (SHE, CAP, Race Awareness), Study of Christian Formation Curricula, the history of the Catechumenate, Developing a Rule of Spiritual Life and the completion of a “Certificate Project” to be determined by the candidate and the Director of the Mercer School of Theology.
Please note that all these courses are open to any one who wishes to attend as a means of “Sunday School Teacher Training” without having to enroll for the Certificate program.