Faith Forming Faith

"This is the book for which many of us have been waiting. In our new, post-Christendom time the critical need for faith formation--catechesis--has now been understood and accepted. But how? How to do faith formation for adults, for seekers, for a new time? Paul Hoffman's inspiring report on 'The WAY' goes a long way toward answering not only the 'why' and 'what,' but also the crucial 'how' question. Invaluable."

-Anthony B. Robinson

President, Congregational Leadership Northwest



"Paul Hoffman joyously testifies to God's reviving breath stirring a congregation and bringing new Christians to baptism when a faith community embraces the Adult Catechumenate as the focus of its ministry. Those skeptical that an ancient way of forming Christians can work today will meet people whose lives were truly transformed as they walked with God, surrounded by God's people, on a journey of revelation, faith, and discovery that a congregation in Seattle simply calls 'The WAY.'"

Craig A. Satterlee

Professor of Homiletics

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago



"Paul Hoffman has written a stunning book. The book describes one congregation's bold embodiment of the ancient catechumenate--a pattern of apprenticeship forming people into faith in Jesus Christ. It offers pastors, seminarians, and congregational leaders sage council for beginning this baptismal pattern of 'font-forming-faith' in their own communities, and in doing so sets out a gracious and vital proposal about the witness of faith in an increasingly secular society."

-Christian Scharen

Codirector, Learning Pastoral Imagination Project



For people longing to be grounded in our increasingly transitory world, Paul Hoffman offers not only a powerful invitation to rootedness, but calls the church to her own powerful roots in the ancient practice of the catechumenate. In his clear words, that daunting word becomes an accessible act of welcome, and through compelling stories of its use, he encourages all congregations to dip their toes in the grace of its baptismal waters.

- Pastor Brian Maas of First Lutheran, Lincoln, NE