Catholic evangelization is now more than ever understood as the “essential mission of the church…bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new” (On Evangelization in the Modern World, 14, 18). All Catholics are urged to speak out, reach out, and live out the Good News of Christ Jesus, and many parishes seem to be getting the message.
Parishes that care deeply about evangelization instinctively share their faith in Christ Jesus with whomever they encounter. But at the same time some parishioners may sense that there’s more to evangelization and wonder what is lacking.
Going beyond the front door.
In these parishes, the gospel message can often seem to be centered more on strengthening the parish community than on evangelization efforts that go beyond the front door of the church. While the building and maintenance of a viable community of faith is undoubtedly absolutely vital, the faith community may at times become insular or out of touch with those who are on the margins of the parish.
Who is not here?
If parishes are to get serious about “bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity,” it is important for them to take a clear, hard look at who the parish is serving and begin to consider those who are missing from the picture. In doing so, the following questions might be considered:
• Where are those whose language, marital status, or past religious affiliation makes them feel unwelcome?
• Where are the frail elderly, the sometimes infamous and unpredictable young adults, the welfare recipients?
• Where are those who have left the Catholic Church, for whatever reason?
• How can evangelization efforts touch the lives of parishioners who don’t often come to Mass or who ignore invitations to attend parish social events or faith formation opportunities?
Make it personal.
Strengthen your evangelization efforts by asking each parishioner to take some personal steps to bring the Good News to others in their families, at work, at school, and beyond their neighborhoods. Here are some techniques:
• Develop “God-talk” skills, the ability to speak easily and often about one’s relationship with God.
• Explain the meaning of Catholic terms such as “sacrament” to a nonbeliever, but only when asked.
• Become well-informed about church issues, such as the church’s position on capital punishment, war, economic justice, fair wages, annulments, divorce, or immigration reform.
• Participate actively in Sunday liturgy: singing, verbal prayers, the sign of peace, sharing in Communion, coming on time, staying until the end.
• During parish drives, collect food and clothing from neighbors, coworkers, relatives.
• Realize that religion is a suitable topic for discussion. Just be sure that it is done gently. People might be able to argue about your theology, but they cannot argue about your experience.
• Show enthusiasm for your Catholic faith. By speaking out clearly about God, by reaching out to those in need, and by living out our Christian values, you can strengthen your evangelization efforts. By helping parishioners practice these techniques, your parish will begin going beyond its doors to “transform the world.” It is good to know that evangelization begins at home but equally good to know that it doesn’t just stay there!
• Welcome those who come to the parish.
• Revitalize the “Greeters Ministry” to include families, genuine extroverts, and people who are willing to welcome and greet Mass arrivals from the parking lot or outside the church door.
• Find room in the parish budget to advertise Mass times and special parish events in the local news media. Emphasize “All are welcome!”
• At all parish gatherings, encourage participants to introduce themselves to at least three strangers or people they don’t know well. At the very least, allow a few minutes before the start of Mass for this activity.
• Suggest to parishioners that they mention their membership in your parish when they meet people at work, at school, at social events, and at neighborhood or community gatherings.
• Designate a few Sundays each year as “Come and See” Sundays, for anyone who would like to observe and experience a Catholic liturgy. Ask parishioners to also seek out Catholics who have left the church, inviting them to “come and see” what has changed!
Faith sharing is essential to faith.
If we do not share our faith with others, how will they come to faith themselves? Christians share their faith in God when they talk to others one-on-one or in small groups. The Spirit of God is always with us when we do this. Circumstances affect how we should share our faith, which is why prepared faith sharing programs that tell us exactly what to say and how to say it are often ineffective. We need to be sensitive to the situation and the circumstances of the people we are talking to. Is it a relaxed time with friends over a cup of coffee or a time of crisis with a coworker after a death or loss has occurred?
Faith sharing is a spiritual process that starts with prayer. God is always present with us through the power of the Spirit who leads us in our faith conversations. We are never alone when we share our faith with others.
Approach faith sharing by praying for the non-church-going people you know. Pray for those with whom you are prepared to share your faith and for those with whom you have a relationship of trust. Pray that you will have the right attitude and disposition to listen to them. Pray that God will use you as a witness to Christ’s transforminggrace, to make a difference in their life.
It is not our job to convince others of the truth of the gospel. Our job is to enable them to hear it for themselves. We are simply trying to share our own faith story in the hope and trust that God will be present and allow the Holy Spirit to work. We don’t convert anyone to anything—that is the work of God. Our task is to help people be open and hospitable to hearing this word. We can share our faith with anyone at any time, but we should never be pushy or argue, defend or justify.
Everyone loves to hear a story and to tell their own story. Telling others our story can be a non-threatening and easy way to communicate. It is important to weave the Christian story into our own faith stories. Faith sharing is a three-way conversation involving us, the faith-inquirer, and God. The most important conversation is the one that happens between the individual and God.
The greatest skills we need for sharing our faith are the ability to listen and the capacity to be a faith friend. Effective faith sharing involves care, support, sensitivity, unselfishness, responsiveness, and most of all, prayer.
Meet people where they are.
Listen first! We must always respect the person with whom we are sharing to recognize their culture, beliefs, attitudes, and situation in life. Our focus has to be on the person as we listen and try to understand their needs and sensitivities. In a similar way, it is best to focus on the person and the work of Jesus Christ, not on the church or theology. Don’t over-intellectualize your faith; just relate your personal experiences of God.
Using church jargon can turn others off. It is likely that they don’t have a Christian or Catholic background. Instead, use language that any person can understand.
Put simply, be with people, listen to their stories, know their concerns, and identify with their struggles. Then respond in a Christian way, highlighting your own struggles, telling how your faith in Christ has helped you, and offer ways in which this may help them.
Invite others into dialogue.
“Come and see” (Jn 1:46) are the words the disciple Philip says to his friend Nathaniel. On one level, it is an invitation to friendship, discovery, and discipleship. Our faith can be communicated in this way. The gospels tell us of Jesus calling his disciples whom he first called to be his friends and then to faith in him. The call to faith is a call to have a relationship and a friendship with God. Invite people to your home for coffee, dinner, a small group meeting, to a special evening at the church, or to Sunday Mass. The call to faith often comes as a result of an invitation.
Share what a difference your faith has made in your life.
Christians are given the gift of faith in order to give it to others. There comes a time when we need to tell others about the faith we have and what a difference this faith can make in their lives. Our actions are just as important as our words.
In summary, here are some things to consider:
• Show the personal presence of God in what you do.
• Tell your faith story using ordinary language.
• Don’t criticize or judge. None of us have lived a perfect life.
• Be supportive and encouraging.
• Try not to quote others.
• Share your story.
• Include your struggles of doubt and pain as well as joy.
• Show and tell how you have integrated your faith in your life.
Let me sum up with a story a friend of mine recently told me. On a crosscountry flight, he began to read a Christian book. The woman sitting next to him asked about it. She had traveled the world and had been introduced to many world religions. Although her faith background was not Christian, she did not practice any religion. A few months earlier, she had watched the movie The Passion of the Christ. Through this and her many Christian friends and contacts, she felt that God might be calling her to be Christian.
As she engaged in conversation with my friend, the talk turned to what a difference Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sin had made in his life and what it could do for her. After discussing this, she talked about her own story and background. He encouraged her to read the Bible, especially the gospels. After more questions and a little more discussion, my friend encouraged her to read C.S. Lewis’ book, Mere Christianity.
When the flight ended they went their separate ways. Did this woman come to full Christian faith? Only God knows. What we do know and are thankful for are the opportunities that we have to listen, minister, and share our faith.