Working in the Vineyard: Team Initiation

Interview by Editor, with Nick Wagner, of Team Initiation

Describe why your institution/program was founded. Has your mission evolved overtime?

We began Team Initiation (formerly TeamRCIA) in 2007 to support and empower catechumenate leaders in their ministry of faith formation. Our core mission is to help these leaders:

• Build confidence in their gifts and skills
• Create deeper spiritual engagement with seekers
• Find more joy and less stress in their ministry

Our ministry has evolved significantly, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. We began as a simple blog platform and eventually transitioned into an in-person training organization. When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, we had to stop doing in-person training. So we shifted to a comprehensive membership-based platform. That is our primary ministry today, although now we still maintain some live training capabilities.

Who is your main “audience”? Whom do you hope to include in the future?

Primary Audience:

• Catechumenate leaders and ministers
• Parish teams involved in Christian initiation
• Current and emerging church leaders in faith formation

Future Growth:

• Team Initiation is focusing on emerging, younger leaders in catechumenate ministry.
• We are also reaching out to those who prefer digital learning and resources.
• And we are considering expanding into faith formation areas beyond the catechumenate.

What initiatives are you focused on at present? If people want to become involved/attend, how would they do so? Whom should they contact?

While we still offer an abundance of free resources and training for visitors to our website, we are also focusing on our Team Initiation Membership platform. Some of those services include:

• Online courses
• Live webinars and recordings
• Video marathons
• Podcasts
• Dismissal reflection questions
• Monthly member-exclusive content

Potential future initiatives may include:

• A small, exclusive conference (30 seats) for members
• Continuing to blend digital resources with selective in-person training

How are you unique, or well-poised, to contribute to the life of the church?

Team Initiation stands out in several ways:

Expertise & Authenticity:

• Decades of “in-the-trenches” experience
• Deep knowledge of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Led by Nick Wagner and Diana Macalintal, a married lay couple modeling the vocation of Baptismal Priesthood

Accessibility:

• Personal, approachable presence (not a “huge company of unknown faces”)
• Direct access to expertise and support
• Comprehensive digital resources

Focused Mission:

• We are providing focused, in-depth, personal support in catechumenate ministry.
• Our ministry emphasizes transformation and renewal at both individual and parish levels.

Anything else you would like readers to know about your work or trending issues?

We are actively addressing several challenges:

• The transition from RCIA to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
• The shift from programmatic, classroom learning to accompaniment and encounter with Jesus Christ
• The emergence of new leadership demographics in church ministry

If you would like to know more about Team Initiation, consider subscribing to the free weekly newsletter: teaminitiation.com/newsletter-sign-up-form.

May God prosper your work!

This interview was conducted with Nick Wagner via email.