Guidelines and Requirements for Catechist

Updated: December 2, 2025Lay Licensed Ministries

Guidelines and Requirements for Catechist

Guidelines and Requirements for Catechist

Title III, Canon 4, Section 8

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.

Discernment

Candidates considering the ministry of Catechist should initiate discussion with sponsoring clergy, spiritual directors, or other appropriate guides to discuss honestly how to test a call.

Discernment Questions:

  • What has attracted me to this ministry?
  • What does the Baptismal Covenant mean to me?
  • What is ministry and what are things that I do that are ministry?
  • Am I willing to share parts of my faith journey, as appropriate with others?
  • Have I asked God whether God might be calling me to this ministry?
  • Can I tell the story of why I feel called to this ministry?
  • What gifts do I have that would be an asset for this ministry? What gifts do I bring now and what gifts do I hope to develop/grow?
  • How would I respond to someone who asked, “What is important to know about God?”
  • How have I experienced God’s grace in my life?
  • Am I curious about Christian theology and the history of the Church?
  • Would I enjoy finding out what others are seeking as they connect/reconnect with the church?
  • Can I envision myself in the role of a teacher and be eager to foster a safe and respectful environment where others can learn and share?
  • What do I hope to help people understand or experience through my service as a Catechist?

Qualities of Call

  • Continually nurtures own spiritual growth and development recognizing formation as a sense of practicing God’s presence rather than merely knowing answers to theological questions.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how catechumenate connects to the larger church and the world
  • Relates well to both children and adults.
  • Shows wisdom and leadership.
  • Can work collaboratively with others in a larger ministry of Christian education and formation.

Background Knowledge:

  • A general understanding of the theories and processes related to spiritual growth and Christian formation.
  • A general knowledge of the catechumenate and resources for use in its implementation.
  • Detailed knowledge of the creeds, catechism and Baptismal Covenant.
  • A thorough knowledge of the Book of Common Prayer.
  • An understanding of contemporary issues facing the local church and larger Communities.
  • A general knowledge of Holy Scripture (Old and New Testaments), Church History, Liturgics, Theology, Ethics, canons, polity, structure, and decision-making processes in The Episcopal Church.

Skills

  • Is well read and can organize knowledge into lesson plans.
  • Can facilitate adult group discussion.
  • Has the ability to develop structured formation plans and to execute those in sessions:
    • In the preparation of adults and older children for baptism, confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation of baptism vows.
    • To counsel parents and sponsors on the responsibilities of presenting infants and young children for baptism.
  • Has the ability to coordinate the above skills in the context of a larger plan for Christian education and formation within a congregation.

Education and Training Possibilities

  • Education for Ministry (EfM) is the preferred foundation, if possible.
  • The preferred Curriculum is one offered by the Bishop Kemper School of Ministry:
    • Introduction to Scripture
    • Adult Catechesis and Formation
    • Theology of Education Ministry
    • The Contemporary Catechumenate
    • Christian Ministry
    • Anglican Identity
  • Training and mentoring by local clergy and regional resource persons for the Catechumenate.
  • Other educational experiences such as university courses on scripture, church history, theology and ethics
  • Following completion of academic requirements, participation in a year- long internship within an existing catechumenate experience.

To be Licensed

  • Completion of application.
  • Prepare and present the following lesson plans in outline form at a Commission on Ministry or Lay licensing committee meeting:
    • Preparation for confirmation, reception & reaffirmation for adults.
    • Counseling of parents and sponsors for infant baptism.
  • Completion of Diversity Workshop offered by Diocese. Contact the diocesan office for more information.
  • Criminal Background check. Contact Human Resource Administrator and Finance Assistant for information (hr-finasst@diowestmo.org).
  • Safe Church, Safe Community training modules are required. Contact Human Resource Administrator and Finance Assistant for information (hr-finasst@diowestmo.org).
  • At the time of licensure, the licensing committee will work with the licensee to find a mentor that can provide the licensee with support and guidance as they begin the ministry.

To Renew Your License

  • Licenses are renewed in a set rotation every three years not based on date it was issued.
  • Completion of renewal applications.
  • Provide a report with license application that notes how license has been used since last issued.
  • Completion of Safe Church, Safe Community modules if not completed previously.
  • Diversity Workshop if not completed previously.

Resources:

Basic Background Texts:

  • The Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha
  • The Book of Common Prayer. Church Hymnal Corporation, 1979.
  • The Hymnal, 1982. Church Hymnal Corporation, 1985.
  • The Book of Occasional Services. Church Hymnal Corporation, 2003.
  • Lesser Feasts and Fasts. Church Hymnal Corporation

Adult Faith Formation:

  • Forming a Community of Faith: A Guide to Adult Faith Formation Today. Jane Regan, Twenty Third Publications, 2014.
  • Toward an Adult Church: A Vision of Faith Formation. Jane Reagan, Loyola Press, 2002.
  • Concise guide to Adult Faith Formation. Neil A. Parent, Ave Maria Press, 2010.
  • Religious Education in the Small Membership Church. Nancy Foltz, et al. Religious Education Press, 1990.
  • Called to Teach and Learn: A Catechetical Guide for the Episcopal Church. Episcopal Church Center, 1994. Available free on ECUSA website as rich-text files.
  • Stages of Faith. James Fowler, Harper Collins, 1995.
  • Will Our Children Have Faith? John Westerhoff, Church Publishing, 1976, 2000, 2012
  • Making Small Groups Work: What Every Small Group Leader Needs to Know. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Zondervan, 2002.

The Adult Catechumenate:

  • The Catechumenal Process: Adult Initiation and Formation for Christian Life and Ministry. Church Publishing, 1988. (Out of print – available on Amazon)
  • Go Make Disciples: A handbook for the Catechumenate. Augsburg Press 2012
  • The Way of Faith: A Field Guide for the RCIA Process. Nick Wagner, Twenty Third Publications 2015
  • The Heart of Faith: A field Guide for Catechumens and Candidates. Nick Wagner, Twenty Third Publications, 2015
  • Come to the Waters: Baptism and out Ministry of Welcoming Seekers and Making Disciples. Daniel Benedict, Discipleship Resources; 2000, 2013.
  • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – Study Edition. Liturgy Training Publications, 1988
  • Christian Formation: A Twentieth Century Catechumenate. Leaders’ Manual and Workbook. William Blewett and Carolyn Fouse, The Christian Formation Press, 1994. (Out of print)
  • Made not Born: New Perspectives on Chrisian Initiation and the Catechumenate. University of Notre Dame Press, 1976, 1978, 1980.
  • Faith Forming Faith: Bringing New Christians to Baptism and Beyond. Paul Hoffman, Cascade Books, 2012.
  • The Baptismal Mystery and the Catechumenate. Michael Merriman, editor. Church Hymnal Corporation, 1990
  • Faith on the Way: A Practical Parish Guide to the Adult Catechumenate. Peter Ball and Malcolm Gundy. Continuum, 2000
  • Adult Believing: A Guide to the Christian Initiation of Adults. Peter Ball, Mowbray, 1988

Topics within the Ministry of the Adult Catechumenate

  • Celebrating the Rites of Initiation: A Practical Guide. James Turrell. Church Publishing, 2013
  • Year Round Catechumenate. Mary Birmingham. Liturgy Training Publications, 2004.
  • Discerning Disciples: Listening for God’s Voice in Christian Initiation. Donna Steffen. Liturgy Training Publications, 2004.
  • The Hallelujah Highway: A History of the Catechumenate. Paul Turner. Liturgy Training Publications, 2000.
  • Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice. M. Basil Pennington, The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1998.
  • Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to the Well-Ordered Way. Stephen Macchia, Inter Varsity Press, 2012.
  • Creating an Effective Mystagogy: A Handbook for Catechumenate Leaders. Deninis Chriszt. Resource Publications, 2000.

Preparing Parents for Infant Baptism

  • Preparing for Baptism in the Episcopal Church. Anne E Kitch. Morehouse, 2015.
  • Journey into Baptism: A Guidebook for Parents and Godparents. Candle Press, 2015.
  • Taking the Plunge: Baptism and Parenting. Morehouse, 2006.

The Episcopal/Anglican References

  • A People Called Episcopalians: A Brief Introduction to Our Peculiar Way of Life. John H. Westerhoff III, Morehouse Publishing, 2002.
  • A Brief History of the Episcopal Church. David L. Holmes, Trinity Press International, 1993.
  • Finding Home: Stories of Roman Catholics Entering the Episcopal Church. Christopher Webber, Cowley 1997.
  • The Episcopal Handbook. Tobias Haller, editor, Morehouse, 2015.
  • Welcome to the Episcopal Church: An Introduction to Its History, Faith and Worship. Christopher Webber, Morehouse, 1999.
  • Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers: Exploring Christian Faith. Ian Markham, Morehouse, 2014.
  • Faith Rules: an Episcopal Manual. Ian Markham, Morehouse, 2016.
  • The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, Surprised by Joy. C. S. Lewis, MacMillian, 1952.
  • The Anglican Spirit. Michale Ramsey, Seabury, 2004
  • The Anglican Vision. James Griffiss, Cowley, 1997.
  • Anglicanism: A Very Short Introduction. Mark Chapman, Oxford University Press, 2006.
  • Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus. Michael B. Curry, Morehouse, 2013.
  • Following the Way of Jesus: Church’s Teaching in a Changing World. Michael B. Curry, Morehouse, 2016.
  • Unabashedly Episcopalian: Proclaiming the Good News of the Episcopal Church. Andrew Doyle, Morehouse, 2010.
  • Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church. Jennifer Gamber, Morehouse, 2009.
  • HarperCollins Bible Commentary, revised edition. James L. Mays, ed., Harper San Francisco, 2000.
  • HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Paul J. Achtemeier, ed., Harper San Francisco, 2011.
  • An Introduction to the Old Testament, The Canon and Christian Imagination. Walter Brueggemann and Tod Linafelt, Westminster John Knox Press, 2nd ed., 2012.
  • Introducing the New Testament, Its Literature and Theology. Marianne M. Thompson, et. al., Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.
  • The Parables of Jesus: A Commentary (Bible in Its World). Arland Hultgren, Eerdmans, 2000.
  • Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. F. L. Cross and Elizabeth Livingston, 3rd eds. Oxford University Press, 2005.
  • The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer.
  • The Westminister Dictionary of Christian Theology.
  • A Commentary on the American Prayer Book. Marion Hatchett, Seabury Press, 1981, 1995.
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