Faith Forming Faith

Bringing New Christians to Baptism and Beyond

Paul E. Hoffman

• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN:
  9781610975278
  9781498214216
• eBook ISBN:
  9781621893400
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle discovered that by forming the faith of new Christians and leading them to the waters of baptism, they as a parish were renewed and revitalized for mission in the world. Faith Forming Faith describes the year-long process of faith mentoring that has become the center of this congregation's ministry. Hoffman's easy narrative style weaves together solid pastoral and theological insights with the practical, real-life stories of lives transformed by a vibrant new faith--the lives of newcomers and long-time members alike. This is a great primer for anyone wanting more than a pastor's class, more than another curriculum. It is a book for pastors, parish leaders, or seminarians. But it's also a great witness to a skeptical, questioning world outside the Church as well, showing that a life of faith can be lived in a secular, questioning culture.

Table of contents

• Faith Forming Faith
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Of Bowls, Bones, and Breath
• 1 The Gospel according to Kathryn
• 2 What Is The WAY?
• 3 Reaching Out by Reaching In
• 4 Transformed Lives
• 5 What Does This Mean?
• 6 The Baptismal Shift
• 7 Parish Transformation
• 8 Creating a Climate of Expectation
• 9 The Great Vigil of Easter
• 10 The Power of Passion Sunday Evening
• 11 The Gracious Gift of Flexibility
• 12 The Role of Lay Leaders and Clergy in the Catechumenate
• 13 God’s Work Alive in the World
• 14 Afterword
• Appendix 1: How We Understand and Practice the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
• Appendix 2: Ideas, Questions, and Reflections for Getting Started with the Catechumenate in your Parish
• Appendix 3: Three Faith Formation Sermons from the Lenten Season
• Bibliography