We're interviewing Dr. Jack Marcum of Research Services.
Q: What's new?
JM: Catechisms, that's what, three of them, all approved by the General Assembly in 1998: One for adults (The Study Catechism: Full Version), one for teens (The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version), and one for younger children (Belonging to God: A First Catechism).
Q: Has anybody noticed?
JM: You bet! A recent survey of 1,000 Presbyterian congregations found that two-thirds of them are aware of the new catechisms and that almost half of those--28 percent of all responding congregations--have already used the catechisms in some way.
Q: Are all three equally popular?
JM: All have been widely used in congregations, but the two aimed at youth and children have received the most use. Overall, 15 percent of congregations report using Belonging to God, and 16 percent, The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version, during the last year. The Full Version has been used in 10 percent of congregations.
Q: How are congregations using the catechisms?
JM: In a variety of ways. As you might expect, The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version has been used primarily in confirmation classes, but several churches have tried it in other settings as well, including Church School and Vacation Bible School. Belonging to God has also been used primarily in these same settings, as well as in Bible study groups and during worship.
Q: What about The Full Version?
JM: It's been used by Bible study groups, adult new member classes, and in worship, church school--even in confirmation classes.
Q: What's the verdict? Are they meeting a need?
JM: If plans for further use are any indication, yes. Around three of every four congregations that have already used the catechisms have some plans to use them again in the coming year. And more than a third of congregations that are familiar with the new catechisms but haven't yet used them have plans to do so in the coming year.
Q: How about their staying power?
JM: I'd be getting ahead of the process to guess. Unlike the Heidelburg or Westminster Catechisms, the new Presbyterian ones are provisional study documents. In 2003, the General Assembly will review them and consider possible revisions.
Q: What then?
JM: Well, there is some discussion of adding the new catechisms to The Book of Confessions. Obviously, we're several steps away from that, but it's significant that already a third of congregations support the idea and only a quarter oppose it.
Q: Where can I get a copy?
JM: Download or print a copy from the PC(USA) Web site, The Study Catechism: Full Version, or purchase one from Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (800-524-2612 or www.ppcpub.com). PPC offers a variety of related teaching and interpretive resources. Also, Presbyterians for Renewal offers The Full Version complete with printed biblical texts from the New International Version (www.pfrenewal.org).
Q: Is there a place to send additional feedback on the new catechisms?
JM: Yes, contact Joe Small in the Office of Theology and Worship of the PCUSA.
Email the author: Jack Marcum
Research Services