About RENEW
Theology on Tap
RENEW Theology
on Tap offers a comprehensive process to promote
the spiritual growth of young Catholic adults in
their 20s and 30s, married or single. It begins
with a young-adult-planned speaker series, which
takes place in local bars, restaurants, and
parish halls and includes food, drink and
theological discussion. These experiences are
then deepened further by young adult involvement
in small Christian communities and ultimately
sustained by active participation in the
Eucharistic life of the parish and local
communities.
Theology on
Tap History
RENEW Theology
on Tap was formed out of a partnership between
RENEW International and the Young Adult Ministry
of the Archdiocese of Chicago starting in 2003.
But, the roots of Theology on Tap go back over
25 years to a pioneering outreach to young
adults by Catholic ministry leaders determined
to meet people where they are.
Theology on
Tap: The Beginning
The concept of
Theology on Tap began through St. James Parish
in Arlington Heights, Ill., with a conversation
in 1981 between the Rev. Jack Wall and then
college student Tim Leeming. Like so many others
in their 20s and 30s, Tim was struggling to find
meaning. He said, "Father, I know what I'm
doing. I just don't know why I'm doing it. Can
our church help me with the 'why' questions?"
Fr. Wall, working with their youth minister, Mr.
Tom James, began laying out a forum for
addressing those "why" questions. By the time
Tim and his peers returned home from college
that summer, there was a six-week speaker and
discussion series in place for them at St.
James. They called it "Theology on Tap."
Based on this
success, the Archdiocese of Chicago established
its office of Young Adult Ministry. Fr. John
Cusick, a diocesan priest, and Ms. Kate DeVries,
a spirited lay minister, became the director and
associate director of this office, and spread
Theology on Tap throughout the archdiocese and
beyond.
Throughout the
past 25 years Fr. John Cusick and Kate DeVries
have stewarded this program throughout the
Archdiocese of Chicago and have watched Theology
on Tap spread throughout the country and the
world. They have entrusted RENEW to help them
take the program to the next level and connect
more young adults than every before.
The
Partnership: RENEW Theology on Tap
In July 2003,
Rev. John Cusick, director of the Theology on
Tap program approached Monsignor Tom Kleissler,
president of RENEW International to propose a
"marriage" between RENEW and Theology on Tap.
Father Cusick and his associate Kate DeVries
proposed that RENEW launch a nationwide
initiative, bringing the successful Theology on
Tap program --- the premier program of
catechesis and evangelization of young adult
Catholics --- all across the country.
Father Cusick
reached out to RENEW International because of
the organization's solid national reputation and
proven delivery processes in dioceses across the
country. RENEW's overwhelming success in
creating and delivering parish-based programs
that involve large numbers of people in
parishes, uniquely qualify RENEW to launch and
succeed in this ambitious undertaking.
Since this time
RENEW International has developed a program for
dioceses, and resources for parishes, to start
or enhance young adult ministry. Theology on Tap
and RENEW are the perfect combination to
strongly impact this segment of the Catholic
population that needs and deserves this service.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is RENEW
Theology on Tap?
RENEW Theology
on Tap is a process through which the Catholic
church can engage young adults, those in their
20s and 30s. It begins with a series of events
held in a casual setting such as a restaurant,
bar or parish hall where young adults are
invited to listen to a speaker, share faith, and
dialogue with people who share similar values.
Food and beverages are often present. These
gatherings are an opportunity for the Church
both to teach and to learn about young adults,
and invite them to lead and to experience other
faith-deepening experiences such as retreats or
small Christian communities. The objective of
RENEW Theology on Tap is to provide an
opportunity for Catholic parishes to share the
richness of Catholic faith and Scripture and
offer a setting where people of similar values
and faith can gather in a peer community. It is
a pastoral outreach offered by RENEW
International, a Catholic ministry organization.
Who Are Young
Adults?
Young adults
are those in their in their 20s and 30s,
married, single, or single again, with or
without children. A recent study says over 50
percent of adult Catholics are young adults.
What Happens at
a RENEW Theology on Tap Event?
You can expect
a warm and friendly greeting from a team of
young adults like you. You can expect good food
and drink. You can expect to meet a few people
whose beliefs and values are remarkably similar
to your own. You can expect a powerful speaker
ready to challenge you and make you think about
topics of faith and daily life. You can expect
meaningful discussion and a chance to share your
thoughts (or you can just drink a soda, beer or
water and listen).
Why Should I
Go?
Face it; it's
tough to meet people once out of college. Aside
from old friends, work friends and perhaps a gym
friend here or there ... how does a young person
make new friends? How about meaningful
conversation? At RENEW Theology on Tap, we
provide the atmosphere, the food and drink and a
thought-provoking speaker that will be sure to
spark lively conversation. All you need to do is
bring yourself.
Remember when
you promised your Mom or Dad you would go to
Mass every Sunday when you moved out? And you
try. Really you do. But perhaps making that trek
to Mass on Sunday doesn't always happen. RENEW
Theology on Tap is the perfect way to give your
faith and your commitment to the Church a
jump-start. A few empowering speakers, a couple
of new friends to sit with on Sunday, a renewed
sense of Catholicism, and all of a sudden you
found your connection--and it isn't because your
Mom or Dad wants this for you, but because you
want it.
Or maybe you
are a little bit older and wiser. And "Mom"
hasn't had a say in what you do for years now.
But alas, you still find yourself heading to
Church on Sunday because you have to, though you
aren't exactly sure why. And you sit there, and
you listen and you walk out the door feeling
like there must be something more that your
parish community can offer you. Now there is.
RENEW Theology on Tap brings "church" to you. In
an informal setting, with peers your own age,
and with time for questions and discussion, it
turns out that was exactly what you were looking
for.
Why do theology
at a bar or restaurant?
Bars and
restaurants are places that are comfortable. One
might be more willing to encounter the Church in
a bar where the landscape is familiar before
taking the larger step through the Church door.
Many young adults are seeking God and a sense of
spirituality and may have been away for a while.
This is an easy invitation to take a fresh look
at the Church as an adult.
Plus, the
Church is slowly realizing that it misses the
vibrancy young adults can bring to the parish,
and in order to tap into this energy, it must
actively seek it out by going to places where
young adults already gather.
What if I am
not in my 20s or 30s, can I attend an event?
RENEW Theology
on Tap offers events for those in their 20s and
30s. If you are not part of this age group,
there may be other ways for you to participate
such as:
1. Using your
contacts to help TOT leaders find a great venue
for events
2. Suggesting
the names of great speakers to diocesan and or
parish leaders
3. Inviting
your young adult friends, relatives, coworkers
to events
4. starting a
small faith sharing group or discussion series
intended for people specifically in your age
group or stage of life. What is relevant to
someone who is 15 is different from someone who
is 25, is different from someone who is 45.
Is this "ok"
according to the Catholic Church?
Yes. Monks have
produced wine and brewed beer since the Middle
Ages. Also, Jesus ensured the continued beauty
and festivity of the wedding at Cana by
producing the finest wine, thus keeping the
party alive. In all seriousness, according to
the pastoral letter "Sons and Daughters of the
Light," the United States Bishop's Conference
called "Theology on Tap" an outstanding program!
Besides, events offer a variety of beverages to
suit different tastes.
How do I start
a RENEW Theology on Tap effort in my area?
Getting
the initial pieces
together for RENEW
Theology on Tap can
take some time but they
are crucial for
success. To start RENEW
Theology on Tap you
need two initial
components…
1. A young
adult team composed of
10-12 leader types
...
people
other people will
follow. This team is
charged with organizing
and running the events.
An individual or a
group of non-20s/30s
running this program is
inappropriate as one of
our goals is to empower
young adult leaders.
2.
Supportive Churches
... Churches who will
empower young adults to
organize and run these
events as well as
appoint a parish staff
person as liaison to
this group. 2-4 or more
parishes working
together make for great
young adult ministry.
3.
Register your Theology
on Tap with RENEW
International. For a
small fee your group
will receive access to
information on starting
Theology on Tap,
downloadable
promotional templates,
evaluations,
registrations and more.
