The Fourth Century Catechumenate as a Model for Twenty-First Century Church Growth and Evangelization
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Authors
Parnell, Scott D.
Issue Date
2026-05
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
School of Theology Thesis 2026 , University of the South, United States, Christianity, The Bridges Model of the Parish
Alternative Title
Abstract
The relationship between the church and the United States is evolving. The period between 1950 and 2025 has witnessed a rapid de-Christianization of American culture. Movements like the First and Second Great Awakenings represent seasons of intentional evangelism and Christianization; by contrast, since 1954, the percentage of Americans who qualify as "Practicing Christian" has fallen from 49% to 28%, with 31% of the population now identifying as "no religion." These seventy-five years have witnessed America's move into a post-Christian reality, where Christianity (particularly categorized as white, conservative Protestantism) is a no longer a primary influence on public life. This shift is captured by changing attitudes on numerous social issues, as well as individual participation in congregational life. This post-Christian existence parallels a cultural rise in pluralism and tolerance, where, for the first time in Western History, Christianity is losing its place of social prominence, while having to co-exist and respect other religious traditions. Today's culture of religious pluralism most closely resembles the relationship between the Church and Empire between 313AD (the Edict of Milan) and 381AD (the Edict of Thessalonica). In this inter-Edict time, Christianity was folded into the public life of the Roman Empire but was not yet the official religion of the empire. With this shifting relationship, the church adapted by developing their preparation and initiation rites (the catechumenate) to accommodate the church's changing relationship with the empire. In this project, I hope to propose "The Bridges Model of the Parishâ based upon
the gained wisdom of the fourth century catechumenate in conversation with our twentyfirst century setting, given the contemporary shifting relationship between church and state. The Bridges Model of the Parish takes common aspects of congregational life (community, worship, outreach, and learning) and provides a frame for their utilization for growth and evangelism within the parish. This model is rooted in the belief that the mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and one another through Christ - and that congregations can use what they're already doing to facilitate that work.
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Citation
Publisher
University of the South