Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path To Knowing And Following Jesus (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
This may not be a timeless spiritual classic or literary feat, but without a doubt, this was the most timely and poignant book I read all year. It was certainly the one I talked about the most with people, and as a seminarian, I'm generally inundated by deep spiritual/theological classics... It is not a cynical book in the least. It is simply honest and ACTUALLY hits upon the ethos of the "postmodern" believer and nonbeliever. I think Weddell just puts her finger right on the nerve of what have become the dull or provincial assumptions that go into an average Catholic modus operandi. It has the effect, I think, that those who object or are unmoved by her theses (for example, the Catholic "culture of silence"- the pseudo-StFrancis quote that has justified countless Catholics from ACTUALLY talking/preaching Jesus and the Gospel), are those who need to be challenged by her message. Anyone who works in a Catholic parish or other ministerial setting must read this book. However you react, it will certainly generate discussion about the critical questions we must honestly face today in the New Evangelization. Spectacular book. We desperately need more intentional disciples. Ironicall, the unmentioned beast lurking beneath the surface of this book is the Charismatic renewal. She just doesn't say it for fear of people being biased towards it. However, from further research, there seems to be an incredibly strong link between strong faith, fruitfulness of disciples, and the Charismatic renewal in the 20th century. A good next step for Weddell would be to analyze how the Catholic Church can integrate some of the characteristics of the growing churches in the 20th century with it's own goals and objectives for catechizing the faithful.
What do You think about Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path To Knowing And Following Jesus (2012)?
Great for parishes to help promote the New Evangelization for the Year of Faith.
—jkim127
First part is mostly statistical. The thesis of the second part is challenging.
—Kerrewordsmith
An interesting book for anyone interested in evangelisation.
—cupcakes16
Fired me up to evangelize and gave me the tools to do so.
—sheabutter122
