Theological Education for the Anglican Communion (TEAC) has just published a set of outlines of training in Christian life. Each outline lists the Christian competencies we can hope to learn and the teaching in discipleship that will promote these competencies.
The outline for the ‘laity’ distinguishes four categories of Christian:
candidates in baptismal catechesis (and Godparents or sponsors)
those recently baptized – and in post-baptismal nurture
adult Christians – for growth in faith
Anglican Christians – for renewal and mature life
Then it distinguishes five areas of the Christian life: commitment, discipleship and mission, biblical knowledge and doctrinal understanding, spiritual growth, worship. The following competencies are (mostly) from the ‘adult Christian’ column:
* All should understand that Christian commitment may be costly in terms of a person’s integrity, relationships and witness.
* All should be aware that Christian commitment may involve going against what others perceive to be the truth.
* All should know that commitment to Christ is sacrificial, life-long and lived out in daily life.
* All should be prepared for commitment of life in obedience to God’s will, and be open to accepting new revelation which may require changes in that commitment.
* All are taught key Bible stories: Creation, the Patriarchs, Moses and the Law, key players in Israel’s story; the life and teachings of Jesus; key incidents from Acts, and other New Testament writings.
* All are encouraged and helped to explore further basic Christian doctrines at an appropriate level (eg. Apostles’ Creed, Commandments and Lord’s Prayer).
* All should be encouraged and helped to develop a rule of life which includes a sustainable pattern of praying and listening to God daily; and also to learn to pray through reading the Bible.
* All seek to grow into the likeness of Christ
* All should be formed in a pattern of regular worship, self-examination and participation in the sacraments of the church.
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION FOR THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION – LAITY ‘TARGET GROUP’
It seems to me the best reply to this is:
Amen. Lord, have mercy upon us and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Well done, TEAC working party, that is not a bad little start.
