Authentic Renewal

Building a Culture of Evangelization & Discipleship in Your Parish – by Brian Miller (2020)

Why Are We Here?

• “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19
• “Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church.” Pope Paul VI

 What Is Evangelization?

• “Bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society…” Go and Make Disciples, 1992 USCCB

New Evangelization

• “Missionary impulse capable of transforming everything so that the Church’s customs, language, and structures are suitably channeled for evangelization in today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.” Pope Francis
• “Commit all of the Church’s energies…to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” Pope St. John Paul II

Missionary Discipleship

• The ongoing process of encountering Jesus, growing in love and knowledge of him, and witnessing him to others constantly.

Missionary Discipleship in the Archdiocese of St. Louis (2018 Statistics)

• Priest to Catholic Ratio: 1:1,621
• Evangelizer to Catholic Ratio: 1:166
• Priest to Evangelizer Ratio: 1:10

Spiritual Multiplication

• Each Evangelizer be intentional and develop two more missionary disciples each generation (1 – 2 years).
• 2nd  Generation – Evangelizer to Catholic:1:55
• 3rd Generation – Evangelizer to Catholic: 1:18

Where to Start?

• “Only from a personal relationship with Jesus can an effective evangelization develop.” Pope St. John Paul II

Pre-Evangelization

• “First listeners are prepared for the first proclamation of the Gospel or pre-evangelization.”
• “Pre-evangelization builds on basic human needs (security, love, acceptance) and shows how these needs include a desire for God and his word.” National Directory of Catechesis

Encounter

• “I invite all Christians to a renewed personal relationship with Jesus or at least an openness to letting him encounter them…” Pope Francis

Grow

• “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16

Witness

• “We are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8
• “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than teachers, and if he listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Pope Paul VI