JESUS Christ met individuals on their way and changed them. Chief among those was St. Paul. He met Christ on the road to Damascus. In the following three years he would be transformed through a remarkable spiritual formation, perhaps better stated, “re-formation.” He emerged from his formation process to become the greatest missionary in the history of the world. To one of his churches, the onefounded in the heavenly City of Rome, he wrote about the power of change, what he calls “transformation.” He exhorted, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2 ESV).

     A changed life is indeed powerful. Changed lives transformed the world. The question is, “How is a life changed?” This year the Anglican Way Conference concentrates on the theme of spiritual formation, changing a life through catechesis. The ultimate answer by the Church as to how a life is changed is, catechesis. Now catechesis is not simply asking and answering questions. It does indeed involve content, knowledge. Change the way a person thinks, and you’ll change the way he lives: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

     Catechesis, in a sense, is a process of spiritual formation or re-formation. To change the mind it takes more than a transfer of information. It requires new habits that begin with worship and involve spiritual discipline.

     This year we will concentrate on catechesis, liturgy, and Christian formation that engages the whole of life by asking the right questions and receiving the correct answers. As we learn from the life of Christ, catechesis happens at the knee of a rabbi, in a boat, a field, a desert, and even on trial. Christ spent His ministry asking questions, and therefore, training us to ask the right questions. Most of them He answered. Others, the Church has answered.

     This is simply another way of saying a catechism is more than a few pages at the end of a prayer book. It is a way of life. Our time has come in the Anglican Way to reclaim catechesis as a way of life. The end is the true way of changing a life. Come join us this year at the Anglican Way Conference. Your life will be changed!

Featuring Plenary Speakers:

Bishop Keith Ackerman

Bishop Keith Ackerman was  elected  and consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Quincy in 1994. He retired as Bishop of Quincy on November 1, 2008.  In “retirement”, Bishop Ackerman continues either to offer oversight to or serves on the Boards of numerous Religious Orders, Societies, Institutions and organizations. He serves as President of Forward in Faith, North America and serves on the executive council of Forward in Faith International. He is author of numerous articles and books including To God be the Glory a book written by the Bishop and his wife, Joann.  He is currently gathering data for his next book entitled Dies Irae: an analysis of death and dying in traditional Institutions. He and his wife along with a Board of Directors have purchased The Parish Press originally from the Cathdral In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  Their desire is to continue the excellent Anglo-catholic literature that is so fondly remembered by many in the Church. He is a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, friend and counselor advocating for the poor, the homeless, the disposessed and those discriminated against for their Faith.

The Rev'd. Lee M. Nelson, SSC is a 2005 graduate of Nashotah House (M.Div.) and currently serves as the rector of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Stockton, California in the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin.  A passionate advocate for the renewal of catechesis, he serves as a member of the Catechesis Task Force of the Anglican Church in North America and has been working on catechetical materials for use with youth entitled Youth Formation.  In his current position, catechesis has become the central activity of the parish, leading to a significant revitalization.