Communicating faith has always been an essential component of Christian
life. Whether it is Jesus communicating faith through the parables,
popes through letters, church leaders through catechisms, or parents
through prayer and everyday living, relating faith is as important today
as ever.
This book enriches appreciation of the many ways that Christian faith is
communicated. It casts light on the sensitivities, skills, and qualities
necessary for the effective communication of faith, where justice is
done both to the "seed" to be sown and to the "soil" being cultivated.
Contributors draw upon their substantial academic and pastoral
experience to highlight key features of the contexts where faith is
communicated. These include the home, parish life, schools,
universities, adult education, literature, the arts, and new
communications media.
Offering perspectives from clergy, religious, lay people, theologians,
and practitioners, the book presents a Catholic yet ecumenical approach.
It offers new theoretical reflection and conceptual tools for analyzing
and evaluating central features of the tasks inherent in communicating
faith, supported by many first-hand examples drawn from several
different countries.
Among practitioners, the book will be useful for parents,
schoolteachers, catechists, clergy, youth ministers, professors of
theology, university campus ministers, and diocesan officers responsible
for faith development.
ABOUT THE EDITOR:
John Sullivan is professor of Christian education at Liverpool Hope
University, UK. He has more than twenty years of professional experience
in schools as teacher and administrator, and chief inspector for a Local
Education Authority in London, with oversight of 100 schools and
colleges. Published widely on religion and education, his most recent
books are Dancing on the Edge: Chaplaincy, Church & Higher Education,
and Learning the Language of Faith.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Frederick D. Aquino, Jeff Astley, Lieven Boeve, Gareth Byrne, Gavin
D'Costa, Michael Edwards, Ralph Gower, Atli Gunnar Jónsson, Victorine
Mansanga, Peter McGrail,
Stephen J. McKinney, Frances Orchard, Merylann J. Schuttloffel, Ros
Stuart-Buttle,
John Sullivan, Raymond Topley, David Torevell, and Clare Watkins.
PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:
"John Sullivan has an excellent record in producing thought-provoking
books on Catholic education. This latest offering is also thought
provoking, but it is far more ambitious in its scope than his previous
contributions. Such a vast topic--communicating faith--is not only
complex, but it also provides a multitude of possible areas for
exploration. Sullivan succeeds in bringing together some stimulating
pieces by authors from Europe and North America. . . .This book is
ambitious in its aims. In the main, it provides a challenging and
rewarding read."--Christopher Meehan, British Journal of Religious
Education
"The book is filled with gems of insight about communicating faith,
helpful guidance for those equally passionate about the endeavor, and
well articulated analysis of the many challenges it entails today." --
Joseph Stoutzenberger, professor of religious studies, Holy Family
University
"An essential read for educators at all stages. The book conveys a
genuine enthusiasm for communicating faith resonant with Pope Benedict
XVI's conviction that 'there is a need for stronger ecclesial commitment
to new evangelization in order to rediscover the joy of believing and
the enthusiasm for communicating the faith'" -International Studies in
Catholic Education
