CATECHESIS AS MONASTICISM: CULTIVATING SINGLE-MINDED DEVOTION IN A FRAGMENTED AGE
A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE FEATURING GREG PETERS AND GERALD SITTSER
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
FEBRUARY 7-8, 2020 (FRIDAY-SATURDAY)
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ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Catechesis and monasticism have a lot in common. On the one hand, the basic structures of the early Christian catechumenate shaped the structures of monastic formation. On the other hand, as Greg Peters argues in his book, The Monkhood of All Believers, the rite of baptism makes all Christians monks—because a monk is not just someone who is single or celibate but someone who is single-mindedly devoted to God. If baptism makes Christians monks, then, what can we learn from the monastic tradition about how to catechize all Christians? What can we glean from the wisdom of the desert that will enable our catechesis to foster Christians who, in our fragmented age, are single-minded in their devotion to Christ?
In this two-day conference, we will learn from two leading theologians and historians of the monastic tradition about how the monks can enrich our approaches to catechesis today. Monastic figures sought a true conversion of life and heart, a reformation of habits and thoughts that curated an integrated, unified life before God. When we think about forming monks as the goal of catechesis, how might this change catechesis?
Ideally suited for pastors, catechists, lay educators, teachers, and seminarians—though welcome to everyone—this two-day immersion in catechesis and monasticism will enable you to learn from some of the best minds in the church today, enjoy the fellowship of like-minded pastors and laypeople, and gain a greater imagination for how the renewal of catechesis can inspire the renewal of the church today.