Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus

by Sherry A. Weddell

Describe your relationship with God I went to Mass every Sunday. I was on two committees at my parish. I read the Catechism of Catholic Church. I didn't eat meat on Fridays during Lent

Too often we approach our faith like we would a checklist or a resume.

While the knowledge of our faith and the experience of faith is certainly important, how would our lives be different if we had a real, living relationship with God?

As a Catholic, a lay leader, a parish staff member, or a pastor, it is critical to understand this growing chasm that is allowing even active parishioners to slowly fade away from the Church.

This book provides parishes and individuals with a foundation on which to build a new formation process that establishes a relationship with God. Ultimately every person can become a true disciple of God, leading to a profound change in the individual and the parish, creating a vibrant and active faith community.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Faith, Theology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Sherry Anne Weddell created the first charism discernment process specifically designed for Catholics in 1993. In 1997, she co-founded the Catherine of Siena Institute, an affiliated international ministry of the Western Dominican Province, and currently serves as Co-Director.

Sherry has developed numerous unique formation resources that are used around the world and trained and helps lead an international team who have worked directly with over 100,000 lay, religious, and ordained Catholics in hundreds of parishes in 137 (arch)dioceses on 5 continents.

When not hanging around airports, Sherry enjoys tending her high altitude Tuscan garden in the Colorado Rockies.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus by Sherry Weddell is a startlingly honest book about the state of most Catholic parishes today. I recognized many truths and heard the reasons for them explained. However, it wasn’t the problems which intrigued me so much as the hopeful signs, the solutions, and the positive maxim, “Never accept a label in place of a story.” Her five thresholds of conversion were even more compelling as they’re readily identifiable points along the spiritual journey where the Holy Spirit is actively at work and by careful listening pastors and other church workers can facilitate smooth transitions to full discipleship.

They are: 1.) Initial trust—a positive association with Jesus Christ, the Church, a Christian believer, or something identifiably Christian; not the same as active personal faith. 2.) Spiritual curiosity—intrigued by or desiring to know more about Jesus, his life, and his teachings or some aspect of the Christian faith. 3.) Spiritual openness—personal acknowledgement of openness to the possibility of personal and spiritual change. This is not a commitment to change. 4.) Spiritual seeking—moving from being essentially passive to actively seeking to know God. 5.) Intentional discipleship—the decision to follow Jesus in the midst of his Church as an obedient disciple and to reorder one’s life accordingly.

When I finished Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus I had to walk away from it awhile. It contains a lot of statistics as well as a fair number of new concepts. The numbers were rather dismal but the ideas were hopeful and helpful, both on an individual and a group level. Yet as I’m not active in parish ministry anymore, I couldn’t think what to do with this information. Reading some of the other reviews here on Goodreads I came across comments to the effect that Ms. Weddell doesn't offer enough solutions to the problems. If you are looking for some big fancy program which is going to ‘fix’ our broken parishes, then her book will be a disappointment. But I don’t believe in programs anyway. I believe in Jesus and the Holy Spirit and in the power of Love, prayer, communication and personal testimony to change hearts and lives. So for me, this book is about how do I become a fully functional disciple? Some of this will involve my own relationship with Jesus, some will concern my other primary relationships, and the rest will involve what I do with, for and in my parish. If you want to change the world, or just your country, state, parish or home, best to begin with yourself.

Update: Today (July 20, 2014) at Mass a friend returned my copy of this book to me and I'm going to browse it again before passing it along to someone else. In listening to the Gospel and homily (on the Weeds and the Wheat) I thought about how often I compare myself to others, in hopes of getting that warm comfortable feeling that I am among the Wheat and not one of the Weeds. God seemed to be telling me not to be looking side-to-side and comparing myself to my brothers and sisters, but if I compare myself to anyone, to compare myself to Him. Then I can't help but be humbled and grateful, rather than smug and self-satisfied. Also, I'll realize I'm both Weed and Wheat and in need of His help to weed out the Weed and Yeast up the Wheat. Excellent book!

[Jim Sano · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for our times. The old model of faith formation through family and cultural support to stay connected to God and faith has changed and developing that personal relationship and commitment to the person of Christ is such a critical part of staying on that journey and passing the faith on to our children. Sherry has done come important work in this book that is a must read for anyone looking for the meaning and purpose to their lives.

[Janelle Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weddell’s book provides an honest look at the state of the modern Catholic Church in America. I think she did a great job of laying out the problems that are causing people to leave the Church or never even be evangelized. She also detailed what successful and flourishing Catholic parishes and programs are doing, so it can be mimicked by others. The path to intentional discipleship made sense to me, but I wish the sections on aiding people through them were more clear. For example, she briefly talked about how to use the Kerygma but didn’t tell the full story for each part of the Kerygma.

Overall, this book seems the most helpful at the Catholic Parish and Program level. For an individual, it was hard to feel like I could sweep in all of these changes, and it didn’t provide a ton of insight into how to spiritually grow and move from one stage to another. It was focused on creating the environment and accompaniment for that to occur in others.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book as part of a summer-long study, I knew it would be a good read and I thought it would be worth the time I was investing in it.

It was way more than worth it. It was transformative.

There’s something in the air right now, and Forming Intentional Disciples captures part of it.

We’re all looking around us in our pews, under the kneelers, around the parish, and wondering, “what the heck do we do now?”

This has been one of the best handbooks I’ve read, and it’s going on the special shelf I have for books that not only have I marked up so much I can’t ever share them, but that I have to reread in large sections. No, it’s not more important than the Bible or the Catechism (different shelf), but this is a book for our times.

This is a book for those of us in the pews. It’s a book for those of us who’ve wondered why we bother, who hang onto whatever thread of “why” we’ve found (for me, it’s the Eucharist) and try to squelch the hunger for more.

This book has been something that has seeped into me and made me think and consider and examine. I feel like I’ve internalized it but also that I could reread it next week and learn even more.

Even more importantly, I feel like this book has given me a mission of sorts, a direction and a way to look. Yeah, I did have that before, but it wasn’t so well articulated.

I consider this book part of a small pile that anyone serious about their faith should read and share. Highly recommended.

[Rusty Tisdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, I really did. However, the information is overwhelming, and it has a tendency to come off as a bit formulaic. A bit. Also, there is a tendency to over-emphasize the negative in Catholicism over those things we get right. Also, a lot is riding on a particular view of discipleship. Many of the best "followers of Jesus" I've met in the Church are reticent about talking about their faith, but live it powerfully.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

After everything I heard, I was pretty underwhelmed, especially after Bishop Loverde of Arlington cited a couple quotes from her book in his apostolic letter on the New Evangelization. I really don't know where to start. I think Weddell offers a lot of good thoughts on promoting an active relationship with Jesus. I wasn't entirely comfortable though, with a couple things. One, her list of five steps in the conversion process. She would acknowledge, I think, that individuals need to be considered one on one, but I could see people trying too hard to categorize a potential convert rather than looking at what that person needs to take the next step. Second, she pushed the sacraments aside--they barely got a mention. She asserts that many Catholics are leaving the Church because they believe can find a deeper relationship with Christ, in evangelical Protestantism. But what about the Eucharist, where Jesus is truly present to us? Evangelizing in the parish is inseparable from Catholic tradition and the sacraments. She didn't get into the idea of a Catholic identity at all. She was too dismissive of that. My own spiritual journey was more intellectual, so perhaps I wasn't her target audience. Again, she raises many good points on the need to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus, but I think Weddell oversimplified some of the problems facing the modern Church.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rooted in extensive research and pastoral work across the country, Weddell argues that the majority of self-identified Catholics have never actually been evangelized, heard and responded to the call to radically follow Christ. This book does an excellent job of laying out the issue but does not adequately develop the solution. Nonetheless, it has my head spinning with thoughts and questions. I see she has a subsequent book. I plan on reading that one to see if some of those questions are answered in it.

[Joyce Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherry Weddell nails it. The Catholic Church has a serious disciple deficit. so much of what she says sounds very familiar, but it is the way the statements about the issues and the proposals for solution are put together that is unique. I will be passing this one on to my pastor and parish council.. and to people in my diocesan office.

[Claire Gilligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceeded my expectations! One of my first thoughts while reading this was, "Why wasn't this required reading in my undergrad catechetics curriculum?" Then I looked and discovered that it wasn't published until after I graduated (time flies, eh?).

She's got some statistics that impressed even jaded me, along with demonstrative stories--both of how we (as Catholic communities) are failing, and of how some of us are succeeding. Along with those, she shares strategies developed by working with hundreds, plausibly thousands of parish leaders over the years. Even though my situation isn't such that I'd implement any of the given plans per se, it's excellent food for thought, and I'm quite looking forward to exploring the issues further on the Called & Gifted retreat I'll be attending this weekend.

I rarely use this verb because it's sadly become trite, but this book convicted me to be more intentionally Christocentric in my teaching, in my relationships, and generally in every conversation I have about God. After all, if a person has never received/understood an invitation to 1) believe in the possibility of and 2) cultivate a personal relationship with God, what's the point of all the rest?

[Cecilia Cicone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely and without a doubt the most important book for the New Evangelization.

[Lauren Brown]

“As C.S. Lewis wrote:

‘It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor’s glory should be laid on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken.’

May God grant us the humility to carry the weight of our neighbor’s glory in the twenty-first century and ultimately into eternity, through Christ our Lord.”

[Jess Mearns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book... what a good read for someone who is interested in ways to evangelize and disciple...and also for anyone curious about why it may sometimes seem rare to hear conversations about a relationship with Jesus Christ among practicing Catholics. It really pinpoints the problems that the Church is faced with in the 21st Century and how we can work towards resolving those problems

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not a Catholic, when a colleague shared the idea of intentional disciples as a metaphor for our work in education redesign, I became intrigued. Weddell's presentation of the changes in religious practice in both the U.S. and the world are also fascinating, as are the five thresholds on the path to discipleship:
1. Trust
2. Curiosity
3. Openness
4. Seeking
5. Intentional Discipleship

[Kevin W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d heard/read bits and pieces from this book over the last several years in classroom lectures, talks, podcasts, conversations, and other books. What surprised me in actually reading the whole thing was the level of intellectual content in it. I was honestly expecting a book that only consisted of “cheap” slogans- I wasn’t expecting frequent references to Aquinas’ distinctions between types of graces, ex opere operato vs. ex opere operantis, numerous Magisterial documents, etc. Those not familiar with these terms need not fear, however. This book explains some solid Catholic theology and also offers plenty of helpful, practical insights into parish renewal.
This book is one of those “must-reads” for those involved in ministry these days. I will say it was more worthwhile of a read than I thought it would be.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best book I’ve read on evangelism. Not only is it insightful, it’s practical. I learned so much about the current state of our parishes, developed an understanding of the different stages of conversion, and now have a vision for what my local parish may be missing to have a fruitful, on fire faith community. I highly recommend this to anyone — experienced or new to evangelism — who wants to transform their parish community. If we want to change the world, we have to begin in our homes and then with our friends and faith community.

[A.K. Frailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for parishes and individuals who want to deepen and widen their response to God's call to discipleship. There are a number of honest reflections on misunderstandings and confusion surrounding the very concept of discipleship. A positive starting point for community discussion concerning where Christ is in our church today.

[Lauren Adderly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly clarifying and convicting. It spoke directly into some of the deepest questions God has been putting in front of me.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the premise of this book is very well thought out, the author did not quite convince me that intentional discipleship is the path that I am meant to follow. The main reason for that is I felt she failed to fully explain her examples and the theological backings for her thoughts about intentional discipleship. There were many instances where she would start to talk about the 'why' a particular step in formation was so important, but would then lead directly into how one would accomplish this, without a firm grounding in theology. That grounding in theology or scripture would be helpful to me - especially as I work to spread the Good News to others.

The best chapters were the last two - directed at leadership in parishes that gave specific steps as to how to talk to others about intentional discipleship - and ways to bring that charism into a church community. And that is what intentional discipleship is truly - a charism. It is not meant for anyone, yet for those who believe in it, it is a transformative experience - as any charism is. Just as we need intentional disciples who are 'on fire' with the Spirit, so too do we need those who seek God's love and prayer in solitude, through teaching, through preaching, and all the many other ways in which the Body of Christ makes himself present here on earth.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is inspirational, and even manages to use polling and sociology to some kind of good purpose, which I have been waiting decades to see.

I guess this is as good a place as any to muse for a moment: All those people who used to come to church every Sunday and now don't...were they ever meaningfully Christian at all? I mean, there's a ton of nuance to that question that I'm not about to try to engage with here, but I throw this out here just to suggest that we're probably going through a period of sloughing off of dead, fake, peer pressure Christians more than we are actually undergoing some sort of tragedy. There is a lot of happy talk that gets foisted about when people talk about the "new evangelization" or whatnot, but there really is plenty of hope in our situation. The hermetically sealed Christianity of holy innocence and the Index and whatnot is shattered. Guess what? That means we have to actually engage with the sins that poison the lives of everyone else and see if our Gospel has answers to it. As a matter of fact, it does! How did it spread in the first place? Same reason.

[Nathan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time going through this book, and I find it even more compelling in today’s parish setting. I’m taking away action on the big themes of 1) frequently having “threshold conversations”, 2) engaging the charisms of myself and others, and 3) sharing the kerygma (the “great story of Jesus”) in personal and ministry settings.

Plus, a quote on active cultivation of discipleship: “While we cannot make anyone “drop their nets” anymore than a gardener can make a seed germinate, we can intentionally and intelligently work to create an environment that is conducive to the growth of personal faith and discipleship. We can intentionally shape the atmosphere, experiences, structures, and spiritual culture of our perish life, so that it fosters the journey that Jesus Christ asks all of us to make: following him.”

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it rather difficult to read because it was so abstract. I think the takeaway is that intentional discipleship is a personal relation with God, and a constant discernment of what God is asking me to do. (I reread this book in Aug 2014 after participating in a "Called and Gifted" workshop, and in preparation for a "Making Disciples" workshop presented by the author. It made much more sense. Weddell is saying that each of us has been given a gift, we need to discover it and use it to evangelize, which means spread the gospel, in words and actions.)

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Catholic Church continues to lose members to evangelical churches because parishioners say they are seeking a more personal relationship with God. The author suggests 5 thresholds one should experience to know and follow Jesus on a personal level.

1. Trust 2. Curiosity 3. Openess 4. Seeking 5. Intentional Discipleship

This book will certainly challenge the reader to examine and revitalize his/her own spiritual needs and think about his individual gifts which can be used to assist with the evangelization mission of the church for all parishioners.

[Thadeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really, really GOOD book for anyone considering themselves a Christian. This book breaks things down (our current situation) like I haven't seen before. It also clearly describes thresholds crossed on the way to being an intentional disciple.

Wonderful and very needed book today.

Highly recommended!

[Father Brice Higginbotham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forming Intentional Disciples is a well written and insightful work on evangelization in post-modern western society, particularly America. I highly recommend it and will soon compose a multi-part review on the blog [www.bricehigginbotham.com].

[Tom Wascoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt I was being lectured rather than inspired.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's start off depressing, but follows up with a very insightful and actionable game plan to help correct the course

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book to blow through. It's best read slowly, in spurts, with a pencil. Then, go out and do it.

[Mrs. Angie Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Sherry twice; once as a grad student at Seattle University (1996) and then several years later at St. Albert's Priory in Oakland, CA (2004) where she trained and equipped me with the skills to guide others in discerning their charisms. It was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. When I came across this book at a used book store, I expected it to be merely reinforcing what I had already learned. Instead, it was a deeply personal and inspiring affirmation of my own spiritual journey these past 4 years (2015-2019). I left the Catholic Church four years ago for a variety of reasons, both theological and experiential. I am not anti-Catholic, by the way. I related in a very personal way to Sherry's characterization of the shifting demographic trends over the past fifty years.

Even as a Catholic convert who spent over 20 years as an apologist, parish lay minister and volunteer, I began to experience a troubling lack of spiritual nurturing from the Catholic Church. What used to be a sense of sacred expression in the mass, over time, became a rote, void of life, cultural habit. Without encouraging or endorsing the exodus of Catholics, Weddell sympathizes with Catholics who have left Rome for a more dynamic worship experience in Evangelical and non-denominational churches. With pastoral care, she implores the Catholic laity to recover their God-given gifts and live out their baptismal calling to engage and evangelize fellow parishioners by deepening their personal relationship with Jesus. She reviews the stages of relationship building and spiritual maturity and advises how to pastor and minister to others by exploring and practicing their own charisms. Thank you, Sherry!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherry Weddell makes a convincing case that the primary reason the Catholic Church (along with most protestant denominations) is losing members so rapidly is that so many of its members do not find themselves growing in a personal relationship with God through their practices of faith.

St. Augustine wrote that "Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee," so it stands to reason that a soul that has not found a personal relationship with Christ through the Church will feel restless. To often, such a soul will look to fill that void somewhere else or give up the pursuit altogether. As Weddell observes, even among the minority of Catholics who faithfully attend Mass and receive the sacraments, many have not reached a state of discipleship in their faith. Weddell offers a number of practical ideas that not only have been successful in some parishes in addressing this problem, but in some cases have led to radical parish transformations.

I was a little disappointed that the book wasn't quite what I was expecting from the title -- it is not so much a guide to finding the path to knowing and follow Jesus oneself but to leading others to that path. If you are struggling to find that path yourself, you might not be ready for this book.

I was intrigued that nothing in Weddell's book revealed her as either a particularly traditional or liberal Catholic. She doesn't say anything either for or against looking to older devotions or forms of worship that have largely been forgotten, nor does she call for "modifying" the Church's moral teachings in order to appeal to today's culture. I believe her book would be accessible to the typical practicing Catholic who just wants to live the faith and see the Church thriving once again.