Minority of Anglican Leaders Satisfied with Effectiveness of Christian Training

Survey reveals need for stronger emphasis on catechesis in contemporary Anglicanism

A survey of leaders in the Anglican Church in North America reveals a need for a greater emphasis on Christian training – traditionally known as “catechisis” – in the church.  Among the survey’s findings are:

• Only 17% of respondents are very satisfied with the overall effectiveness of catechesis in the Church;<
• Where catechesis is offered, respondents believed it was often highly effective among adults, but generally saw it as less effective among children and, especially, adolescents;
• When asked, “What is missing from current catechetical content?” the most frequent answer was the inability to move from belief to action.

In general, the survey suggests that Anglican churches have failed to prepare individuals to be effective as disciples of Christ and active members in the Church.

“Given the confusion about the basic tenets of the Christian faith and life that persists across the culture in general we are not surprised by the findings,” said Jack Gabig, co-chair of the Anglican Church in North America’s committee on Catechesis and Curriculum that sponsored the research.  Gabig also noted that, in general, there has been “too little in terms of both foundation and formation in catechesis.”  Dr. Phil Harrold, who co-chairs the committee with Gabig, recalled that catechism and confirmation have been largely neglected in the North American Church since the 1970s.  “The whole idea that a rite of passage like catechesis plays a key role in shaping the future of the Church has been lost for more than a generation,” Harrold observed.

Respondents also provided a wealth of information on what is going right with catechesis in the church.  “We see it as a great time that people desire to do a better job teaching the faith,” said Gabig.  The co-chairs expect that the Church will be working to get behind, promote and extend the things that are working even as new resources are developed. 

The survey included over 100 respondents from a broad base of constituents in the orthodox Anglican movement in the United States including AMIA, Southern Cone, CANA, the REC, Uganda, Kenya, Bolivia, ANiC, Pittsburgh, San Jaoquin, Fort Worth, Quincy and others.

For more information, contact the Rev. Jack Gabig at 412-841-9344