Ongoing catechesis : post-confirmation mystagogy

Fitzner, Timothy John

Etd

Ongoing catechesis : post-confirmation mystagogy

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Fitzner, Timothy John. Ongoing Catechesis : Post-confirmation Mystagogy. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/277c4267-3f8a-401c-a9a9-5fe94fa06367.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

F. T. John. Ongoing catechesis : post-confirmation mystagogy. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/277c4267-3f8a-401c-a9a9-5fe94fa06367

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Fitzner, Timothy John. Ongoing Catechesis : Post-Confirmation Mystagogy. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/277c4267-3f8a-401c-a9a9-5fe94fa06367.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

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Fitzner, Timothy John

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Abstract

Congregations around the globe face the challenge of the retention of youth after confirmation. Christ Lutheran Church in Normal, Illinois is no exception. While resources are being provided to families with young children starting at age three, it has only recently been that the youth have been given a Book of Concord by the Board of Elders after the Rite of Confirmation takes place. This is an opportunity for ongoing catechesis post-confirmation and to continue to build on the current success of providing resources from a young age into adulthood. As St. Luke desires to catechize Theophilus further (Luke 1:4) in what he has already learned, the church desires to cultivate a life of ongoing catechesis. But what happens after confirmation? This is the question at the forefront of this research. The catechesis of the church finds its basis in the Divine Service, in preaching, and in the administration of the Sacraments. The ebb and flow from altar to home and from home to altar gives rhythm to the Christian’s life, marking the times and seasons of life and sanctifying that time in the hearing and meditation on God’s holy Word at the altar and home. The focus of this project has been on post-confirmation youth. During the Sunday School hour high school students studied the Lutheran Confessions, with special attention on the Large Catechism, and built on the knowledge of the faith that they have gained in Sunday School and confirmation classes on the Small Catechism. Luther’s catechetical hymns and the liturgies of the Church were also utilized to bring a deeper and fuller understanding of the section being studied. Students were given a written questionnaire at the program’s beginning to measure their current views, opinions, and level of knowledge of Scripture and Christian doctrine. Following the conclusion of the teaching phase—from August to December— these same students were given another written questionnaire to measure the development made in deepening their knowledge and understanding of Scripture and the Confessions. Parents of confirmed youth were part of a focus group after the teaching phase. This focus group was asked a series of questions to foster discussion about what change, if any, has taken place since the beginning of the project teaching phase. The desired outcome of ongoing catechesis post-confirmation is: A) greater pastoral care, B) a fuller understanding and appreciation for the liturgies and rites of the Church, C) a deeper understanding of Christian doctrine, most notably the six chief parts of the Small Catechism with special focus on the Sacrament of the Altar, and D) recognition of ongoing catechesis in the daily life of the Christian at every stage of life. Catechesis is always ongoing and doesn’t end when the Rite of Confirmation is completed. Pastors, parents, and the whole church face this challenge and conundrum of what the church does with youth post-confirmation. It isn’t mysterious as the church has grappled with this question before and much can be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.

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