An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Inquirers’ Class

Class for newcomers or visitors who “inquire” about the Episcopal Church. Instruction typically includes information concerning the beliefs, history, worship, and practices of the Episcopal Church. Participants in the class may be known as inquirers. Those who wish to become members of the Episcopal Church may be presented for Confirmation or Reception if they have already been baptized. Inquirers who have not yet been baptized may be prepared for baptism through the catechumenate. The BOS notes that inquirers' classes belong to the “Pre-catechumenal Period,” or first stage of the catechumenate, by providing “sufficient preparation to enable persons to determine that they wish to become Christians.”

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.