The process of evangelization wasn’t done within the vacuum of one particular ministry. Jesus commissioned the Apostles and the rest of the Church to go out and make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28) If we look at that task honestly, can any of us say that we have made ourselves disciples by learning information? I hope not. The truth is, as the information (the Gospel) is shared, those who are open are moved by the Holy Spirit to decide that they want God and desire to be His disciples.
We know that our conversion and transformation is always the work of God in us and not simply the accumulation of information. Therefore, we must have the Holy Spirit living and active in our hearts. It is for this result that the process of evangelization is required. You can’t have a “New Pentecost” without the Holy Spirit bringing it into fruition.
Are We Prepared for a Major Overhaul?
I have been sharing for several years now that every ministry needs to examine whether or not they are making disciples. To do that, they must examine whether or not their ministry is leading individuals into a nuptial relationship with Jesus. When those in charge are asked, many will say that it is not their job or they will simply avoid the discussion.
I believe that these offices or committees of evangelization must work directly with every other ministry leader to help them integrate evangelization into their ministry. To do that, they must have the authority of the bishop or pastor to work. If they are seen as an equal to the director in charge of that ministry, they will never get any work done.
Jesus Had to Suffer and Die
Before He Rose and Ushered in
the Advent of the Spirit
I have also been saying that if we are going to achieve the New Evangelization, we (the Church) are going to do so kicking and screaming. This is not going to be an easy transition. So many churches will enter the process in one of two ways:
- BY FORCE – Exhausting every other “easy method” (program) before being forced to do the difficult work of yielding to the Holy Spirit. By this point, they will have lost a vast majority of the people they once had.
- BY CHOICE – They enter into the process of yielding to the Holy Spirit and of examining what is broken, discern the Spirit’s fixes, and make the needed adjustments to reap a harvest.
Only a handful of churches are taking the leap of faith that is required to follow the Spirit.
If you want your Office of Evangelization or Committee of Evangelization to be effective, then train them to follow the Spirit and empower them effect change within your other ministries.
I fear I am watching my church dwindle away. A once beautifully vibrant and bustling church, over the past 5 years or more, I have watched so many lector leave their vocation and our youth group numbers have plummeted, these, the future generation of our parish.
I attended a conference at a neighboring diocese (Lansing, MI) back in October of last year and on my return home, the Holy Spirit directed me to begin doing intercessory praying for my church and even gave me the names of two women from my church to ask them to join me. I sadly put this off for months but through continued reminder, did speak to one woman this past January. I have also spoken to it parish priest and asked his permission but his response was; “How is intercessory prayer any different than the Book of Intentions. My explanation to him is that I feel intercessory prayer is more specific and we can really focus on a parishioner’s needs. He said I would have to give him more than that….. so I am asking here, can someone tell me how these two types of prayer differ from one another?
Peace in His presence,
Linda
Hi Linda, Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately your parish is not alone. The Spirit is leading you to do the preliminary work that is essential for any transformation.
IN response to your pastors question, it is never a question difference nor an either or situation. There can never enough prayer given for a particular need.
Pray on, holy prayer warrior.
God Bless, drp
Good morning Deacon Ralph,
I agree, so much power in prayer. I received a phone call, someone from our pastorial council letting me know someone put my name in as a suggested nominee to join the council and if I agreed, I would be added to a running list with others who agreed and three would be chosen at an upcoming mass. It felt right, maybe an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to do some love, love, love through me so I gladly agreed. The day came for names to be picked. I found out later that there were nine. I sat in my pew, closed my eyes, and said a prayer directly to God. I told Him; “You know I don’t need this and I’m okay if you say no to it but if it be your will, I will gladly accept… Your will be done, not my own.” Total peace filled me.
I always sit up front, for a couple reasons. #1 It’s the best seat in the house. I’m 5’3” and I try to avoid having tall people block my view. Even though I spend a good portion of mass with my eyes closed, I still like to see what’s going on when they are open. #2 As a child growing up we always sat upstairs when we went to church. I really couldn’t hear what was being said and couldn’t see anything so I would stare at the Bible scenes painted on the ceiling. I knew that when I had children of my own I would sit up front so they would be a part of what was going on around them. …sorry, off subject.
The point I was trying to make is, since I sit up front, the person from our pastoral council with the hat brought it to me to draw the first name. I drew a woman’s name from our parish. Off he went to another person and my name was drawn next. I thanked God for the opportunity to share Him with others and bringing it through a venue so personal and close to my heart, my church family.
We had one upcoming meeting in June before they take a three month break for the summer. A concern was brought to our attention that we need to figure out how to get people more involved with the parish to help keep them as members as well as financial supporters. One answer from a member was to tell them they have to volunteer and help out if they want their child to make a sacrament that year. The other (younger) new woman member said we can expect to see families leaving our church and going elsewhere. I spoke next and your name was mentioned. I told them I felt the only way to get people to want to participate is to help lead them to a relationship with God and everything will follow. I explained to them of my own conversion experience through a 4 day mission that you led. I told them that it wasn’t until the Holy Spirit put it on my heart to start praying the rosary that the rosary meant anything to me and that until the Holy Spirit told me to start tithing, that I actually started tithing 10% of my income. They listened, it’s a start, right? ‘Plant a seed and watch it grow.’ The meeting continued and I kept feeling a pull from the Holy Spirit to share one more thing for them to think about so I spoke up before we departed and told them I have your 4 day mission on cd’s and if anyone was interested in listening to them, I would loan them out to them. No one has taken me up on the offer but I obeyed the Holy Spirit. His ways are higher than my ways.
I thank you for being a good servant Ralph and through The Holy Spirit, removing the veil from my eyes.
Know that you are in my daily prayers, that He guides you, protects you, and uses you to lead more people into His loving arms.✨
Respectfully, yours in Christ,
Linda Schneider