Teaching Tenets of Faith in Worship: Catechetical Learning: Instilling the Basics of Faith in the Context of Worship
Ebook
Overview
Western culture no longer has a broad Christian understanding. In fact, much of what American media dishes out is pantheistic or anti-religious. Sociological research indicates that a multitude of beliefs have crept into Christian understandings of faith. This situation is not new. As early as the fifteenth century, Erasmus asserted that the greatest concern of his time was that Christians were most often “rank heathens” when it came to their orthodoxy. It is also apparent that attendance at Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and other gatherings has fallen at a great rate. The author believes providing Christian education in the context of worship is therefore the best opportunity for reaching believers with historical elements of faith. A twenty-four-part lectionary-based catechetical curriculum is provided for worship. With it, congregations can dwell in a sermon series that is surrounded by supportive full-bodied worship.
“I heartily endorse what author James Akerson set out to
do—instill the basics of Christian faith in the context of
Christian worship in a thoughtful way. To this end, his guide to
worship focuses on twenty-four tenets of faith. This confessional,
catechetical presentation of Christian faith can readily be adapted
for use in varying Christian traditions.”
—Ervin Stutzman, author
“In this time when God’s people are distracted by so many things,
pastors are challenged to sustain the attention of their people to
do the patient work of lifelong catechesis. Through rich liturgical
resources, Akerson offers pastors a dynamic means to keep the core
tenets of the Christian faith refreshed and alive through worship
services during Ordinary Time.”
—David Boshart, Executive Conference Minister, Central Plains
Mennonite Conference
“The phrase, lex orandi, lex credenda—the law of
worship is the law of faith—is often quoted, but not as frequently
explained. How can worshiping strengthen believing? Dr. James
Akerson provides a helpful and practical guide to addressing this
question, touching upon basic theological topics such as the
Trinity, Scripture, and God’s church, that will benefit pastors and
other worship leaders.
—David A. Currie, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; author
of The Big Idea of Biblical Worship
Product Details
- Title : Teaching Tenets of Faith in Worship: Catechetical Learning: Instilling the Basics of Faith in the Context of Worship
- Authors:
- Akerson, James
- Detterman, Paul E.
- Publisher: Resource Publications
- Publication Date: 2019
- ISBN: 9781532662997
James Åkerson is the pastor of a rural congregation and a
district minister for the Virginia Mennonite Conference (MCUSA). He
holds a DMin degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in
Massachusetts, and an MDiv from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in
Virginia. He is a convinced Anabaptist. Born in Oregon, he grew up
in a Lutheran tradition, where he gained an appreciation for high
church practices of worship. He and his wife, Emily, have two grown
sons.