_Snippet of the Show
“Your role in the kingdom of Heaven is to advance the Gospel in the world, and maybe this quarantine can reemphasize the power of the laity.”_

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A big reason we reduce evangelization to the interior life is because there is fear involved with proclaiming the Gospel and talking about Jesus. We’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, of being rejected, so we just say, “well as long as you’re living like a disciple, you’re good.”

But we’re not.

Introducing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ takes many, many different forms. You don’t have to do all of them all the time, but we’re pretty sure both words and actions will be involved.

Snippet from the Show
“There were all kinds of people who were not apostles who followed Jesus. We’re called to encounter Christ in others”

SHOWNOTES

Saint Francis of Assisi - “There’s no use walking somewhere to preach unless your walking is also your preaching.”

Evangelii Gaudium, 165 - “We must not think that in catechesis the kerygma gives way to a supposedly more “solid” formation. Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation. All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis, thereby enabling us to understand more fully the significance of every subject which the latter treats.”

Frank Sheed - “It’s the union of man with God and Christ Jesus.”

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) - “Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Saint Mother Teresa - “Do you want to change the world? Go home and love your families.”

Five Practical Takeaways

1. Talkie-talkie: Pick a person and tell them about a change Christ has made in your life.
2. Walkie-walkie: Don’t gossip this week. At all. Literally.
3. Talkie-talkie: Invite a co-worker or acquaintance to grab a coffee and get to know them better.
4. Walkie-walkie: Fast for one day and donate the money to charity or your parish.
5. Talkie-talkie: Ask a person what Christ has done in their lives.

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In this episode, we talk about how priests, lay employees, and volunteers can be leaders in their own right, and you don’t have to wait for someone to formally empower you to lead others.

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Snippet from the Show
“The word ‘leader’ can be intimidating, but the Holy Spirit is the primary agent of evangelization. You’re just the lead follower of the Holy Spirit.”

SHOWNOTES

Priests

• The homily needs to be kerygmatic.
• Give a call to action every homily.
• Win your staff.
• Make sure your staff is on board with the mission.
• The parish priests need to be available to the people, especially for sacraments.
• Try to imitate St. John Vianney.

Lay Employees

• It is poor form to give a class or workshop on something you are not willing to do.
• Model what you are teaching.
• Set up regular meetings with your parish priest.
• Witness to your fellow employees the same as your parishioners.
• Don’t view working at the church as a chance to make money.

Volunteers

• Continually discern how God is calling you to lead in your parish.
• Don’t grow comfortable with someone as a leader just because they have been doing a good job.
• Help onboard new leaders before they are needed.
• Be a good disciple outside of your volunteer position.

5 Practical Tips

1. Priests: Ask yourselves honestly, and ask others “how is your leadership holding back the parish?”
2. Kerygma: Explicitly share the gospel with someone.
3. Employees: Are you waiting for empowerment or permission to serve the gospel? Identify areas where you can be more active in the kerygma and come up with an action plan to start implementing this.
4. Prayer: Prayerfully read Acts 14 and read the kerygma from Paul and Barnabbas.
5. Volunteers: Spend more time praying for those people God has placed in your ministry.

Resources from the Show

• Douglas Hyde

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We all proclaim the same gospel, but we all need to use different methods. The methods that St. Paul used in Athens or Rome and the approach of a missionary in India, Southeast Asia, or parts of Africa will be different than someone who lives in a post-Christian society.

There are, however, universal principles that stand the test of time. Today, Mike and David go through three ages of evangelization, explain how to overcome four hurdles in evangelizing, and also three different types of evangelizing.

Snippet from the Show:

“No matter how opposed someone is to Christianity, you have to understand that deep down, it is what they want. It is what they most desire. It is the answer to all their questions.”

SHOWNOTES:

*5 Practical Takeaways: *
1) Read Evangelii Nuntiandi
2) Fast for someone at your parish
3) Pray and reflect on St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit
4) Read 2 Timothy 4
5) Write down and reflect on this quote “She exists in order to evangelize.” What parts of your life exemplify this? What parts do not?

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:
Gaudium et spes
Evangelii nuntiandi (Paragraph 9 and 80)
Redemptoris Missio
Podcast, This Cultural Moment
Introduction to Philosophy by Daniel Sullivan

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