"Christianity," claims Peter Ball, "is an adult religion for adults." As the Church's practice of initiation has evolved more toward adults, there has been a renewed awareness of the role of the community in the practice of initiation as well as an increased expectation for competent ministers, lay and ordained. Thus, Peter Ball seeks to impart an awareness of Christian initiation
as a process of conversion which takes place in a community. He shares his experience of how Christian formation brings together the candidate's life story, interests and concerns with the Church's story in the Gospel, in prayer and community. Writing from his experience in the Church of England, North Americans of all churches will find his insights eminently clear and
helpful.
For over twenty years, Peter Ball has been a leader in the development of the renewed Catechumenate. As Rector of the Parish of St. Nicholas in Shepperton and more recently as Canon at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, he has collaborated closely with members of Various churches in the work of adult initiation. He has been an active member of the European Conference on the Adult Catechumenate and the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, on whose behalf he has addressed various groups in the United States.