Pivot

#142: Making Disciples: Why Catechesis Matters More Than Ever

Dr. Alex Fogleman, author of "Making Disciples: Catechesis in History, Theology, and Practice," explores how the early church's approach to catechesis can revolutionize modern discipleship formation.

What if the struggle many churches face with forming deep, lasting disciples is an invitation to rediscover catechesis, the ancient practice that transformed the early church? For three centuries, when Christianity was just one option among many in a pluralist culture, the church developed a patient, comprehensive approach to catechesis that formed people in the basic building blocks of thinking, praying, and living as Christians. Dr. Alex Fogleman, author of “Making Disciples: Catechesis in History, Theology, and Practice,” explores how this ancient wisdom can revolutionize modern discipleship formation.

In this conversation, Alex reveals how catechesis addresses today’s cultural fragmentation through what he calls a “pedagogy of enchantment”—formation that goes beyond mere information to create genuine encounters with the living God. Discover why effective catechesis takes time, how to practice “counter-catechesis” against competing cultural creeds, and practical steps for implementing this transformative approach in your church context. Whether you’re wrestling with surface-level Christian education or seeking deeper formation practices, this episode offers ancient solutions for contemporary discipleship challenges.

Resources Mentioned:

More From Us:

Subscribe and Review:

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review anywhere you get your podcasts!🎙 Thanks for tuning in to the Pivot Podcast! See you next week!

Shift Ministry Models
Faith & Contemporary IssuesFaithful InnovationMinistry LeadershipMission & Evangelism

Featuring

fogleman _alex_FL_1000px

Alex Fogleman

Alex Fogleman is Associate Dean for Special Programs and Assistant Professor of Theology at Trinity Anglican Seminary, and author of "Making Disciples: Catechesis in History, Theology, and Practice" (Eerdmans, 2025). His work focuses on helping contemporary churches rediscover the ancient practice of catechesis—comprehensive instruction in what Christians believe, hope, and love. Fogleman brings both scholarly depth and practical wisdom to questions of Christian formation in our post-Christian cultural context.

Meet Your Host

  • Dwight Zscheile

    The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile is vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

    He is the author of Embracing the Mixed Ecology (with Blair Pogue, Seabury Books, 2025), Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress 2023), Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the U.S. (with Craig Van Gelder, Eerdmans 2018), The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age (Morehouse Publishing, 2014), People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity (Morehouse Publishing, 2012) and The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation (with Craig Van Gelder, Baker Academic 2011) and editor of Cultivating Sent Communities: Missional Spiritual Formation (Eerdmans, 2012).

    A graduate of Stanford University (BA), Yale University (MDiv) and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership), Dwight previously served congregations in Minnesota, Virginia and Connecticut. Dwight’s experience growing up in a secular home in California has shaped his commitment to helping the church cultivate Christian community with neighbors in today’s changing world.