Who should lead your RCIA process?

Posted by Nick

RCIA image posted by TeamRCIA I just returned from an RCIA institute sponsored by the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. It was an engaging, intense, fulfilling couple of days. The participants were revved up from the beginning all the way through to the end. I love being with people who are so dedicated to catechumenate ministry.

One question that came up was how to handle some of the thorny issues that arise with catechumens. One of the participants suggested it is best to just refer those to the pastor. I hesitated when I heard that. I do agree that there are times when it is best to bring in the pastor, but I worry that is too often our default response. I wonder if team members are avoiding dealing with difficult issues, not because they are not qualified to do so, but because it is just easier to hand them off.

On the plane home, I read an article related to this issue titled: “What’s Your Leadership Mindset?” Former U.S. Naval Academy superintendent John R. Ryan tells a story of regularly asking academy classes, “How many of you want to be leaders?” He said every hand shot up. Every time he asked.

Following his term at the Naval Academy, Ryan was an administrator at a state university. Same question, but different results. Whenever he asked the university students, fewer than half the hands went up. He tried to explain the difference this way:

At the Naval Academy—and I speak from experience as an alumnus—you learn from the very first day that leadership is a journey, and it’s to be undertaken by everyone. Leadership is not the province of the select few; you can work at it, and you can get better. While you’re not expected to take charge when you first set foot on campus, the expectation is you will become an effective leader—and your entire four years at the Academy are designed to develop you, step by step, into one.

His explanation made me wonder if we are expecting our catechumenate team members to be leaders—from day one—and giving them the skills to lead. Like the catechumenate, leadership is a journey. When the catechumens say “yes” to the Cross at the Rite of Acceptance, they are signing up for a journey. And when we say “yes” to being on the RCIA team, we are signing up to lead them on that journey.

Take the next step

So here is a baby step to develop your leadership skills. Next time you have to confront a difficult issue with one of the catechumens, don’t just send the catechumen to the pastor. Go along with the catechumen, and learn from the pastor how he handles the situation. Then go back and teach the rest of the team how to handle it also. The next time a similar situation arises, you’ll be able to effectively lead the catechumen to a deeper level of faith.

No Responses to “Who should lead your RCIA process?”

Michele 29. Jun, 2009 at 10:15 am #

I liked this article-especially the part about developing leadership. But I have a question- do most parishes or RCIA directors do an initial interview with each person interested? I do an interview with each person before they come to an Inquiry session. I have several reasons for doing this- to find the right sponsor for the person, to get an idea of their background and religious beliefs, and to discuss what might be difficult or sensitive issues. I also give them an idea of the process since my parish offers RCIA year round- people begin at all different times. This helps me in presenting and discussing difficult things. If needed, I’ll refer them to the Pastor, but most of the time we can work through difficulties in the sessions. I find that this helps all of the people who are in the different stages. Of course, I’m in a very small parish with a very small number of candidates and catechumens, but I think that this could be a good tool even in a large parish.
Nick 29. Jun, 2009 at 2:19 pm #

Hi Michelle. It sounds like you have a great process in place. And kudos to you for welcoming people in every season of the church year!
Anne 15. Jul, 2009 at 9:22 am #

Michelle. I run my RCIA year round as well and 98% of the time meet with inquirers before they come to the group. It helps to talk about the sensitive aspects of the person’s background in private. If they want to share later at sessions, they have that option. If I have someone come a day or two before a session, i invite them to attend to “check it out”, but also try to meet with them before the actual session begins to do that interview. It’s a little rushed, so I shy away from doing it that way most of the time. Meeting someone before also gives me a feel of how the person may “fit in”, so I’ll know when they do attend a session what is sensitive and what isn’t.
Nick 15. Jul, 2009 at 9:30 am #

Hi Anne. Thanks for sharing your process. It’s always helpful to have the voice of experience. Keep up the great work!