It’s been 38 years since Saint Pope John Paul II called for a New Evangelization. He exhorted the Church, every baptized member, to embrace a new missionary dynamism characterized by a new ardor, new methods and new expressions.

After nearly four decades, the time has come to ask ourselves, are we satisfied with the progress we have made? Has the New Evangelization taken root in our parishes and dioceses? Have we witnessed what Pope Francis has prayed for, “a new missionary impulse capable of transforming everything”? Are we tracking the transformation of structures and systems to make them more capable of announcing the Good News to the modern world rather than self preservation? Most importantly, are we seeing significant numbers of conversions? If not, a second questions begs to be asked, what contributing factors are holding us back?

After nearly four decades of emphasis on the New Evangelization, the time has come to ask ourselves, are we satisfied with the progress we have made? If not, what are the contributing factors holding us back? Click To Tweet

One factor limiting our efficacy in the new evangelization is a lack of common language. There are common terms bantered around but the meaning of those words are not universally understood in the same way.

One factor limiting our efficacy in the new evangelization is a lack of common language. There are common terms bantered around but the meaning of those words are not universally understood in the same way. Click To Tweet

Ask one parishioner to define the word evangelization and you get one meaning, ask another parishioner and you may get a totally different answer. What one Catechist understands to be the meaning of the word “kerygma” may not be the same meaning held by another Catechist, even in the same parish. How one pastor defines the term intentional disciple, may not be how another pastor would.

A syncretistic approach may seem appropriate in an age where diversity and inclusion are considered two of the highest human values (pardon the sarcasm). But, when it comes to making progress in the New Evangelization, this kind of ambiguity is more dangerous than it is helpful.

Unless we develop a consistent understanding of the meaning of the words we use within the language of the New Evangelization, common terminology will serve very little purpose. Common terms without common understanding are linguistic mechanisms without a soul. Common terms without common understanding provide only masks of communion rather than an expression of profoundly held core values and passionately shared mission. The New Evangelization requires something substantive, unitive and directive from its common language.

In the New Evangelization, common terms without common understanding of their meaning are linguistic mechanisms without a soul. Click To Tweet

I’d like to attempt to unpack the meaning of two terms within the common language of the New Evangelization. These two terms are used a lot in Catholic circles but I have wandered if everyone in the room shares the same understanding of their meaning.  If we don’t share the same understanding, we can’t possibly begin to make progress.

Intentional Disciple

Sherry Weddell popularized the term Intentional Disciple with the release of her insightful book, Forming Intentional Disciples (2012). In a sense, the word “intentional” is superfluous. To be a disciple requires intentionality, you can’t be a disciple without it. Nevertheless, Weddell’s terminology has provided some insight into the reality that you can be a Catholic your entire life and never become a disciple.

Saint Pope John Paul II said it this way, “Sometimes even Catholics have lost or never had the chance to experience Christ personally: not Christ as a mere ‘paradigm’ or ‘value’, but as the living Lord, ‘the way, and the truth, and the life’ (Jn 14:6).”

A priest friend once said to me, “I became a Disciple of Jesus five years after I was ordained.” Given the fact that you can be ordained without being a disciple or attend daily mass for 45 years without conversational intimacy with Jesus in prayer, there is something necessary (substantive, unitive and directive) with the word intentional.

Given the fact that you can be ordained without being a disciple or attend daily mass for 45 years without conversational intimacy with Jesus in prayer, there is something necessary about the term Intentional Disciple. Click To Tweet

According to Weddell, becoming a disciple requires a “drop the net” decision. Like the disciples who followed Jesus when He walked the earth, being a disciple means leaving the old life behind to embrace a new way of life in following the living Lord. JPII spoke of the “drop the net decision” like this, “conversion means accepting, by a personal decision, the saving sovereignty of Jesus Christ and becoming his disciple” (Redemptoris Missio, #46).

Dr Peter Kreeft is a former professor of philosophy at Boston College. He asked the same question to literally thousands of university students over the years, “If you were to die tonight and God was to ask you, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ what would you say?” Regardless of how long or short is one’s answer, if the student mentions nothing of the name of Jesus in response to the question about how to get to heaven, it’s likely that he or she isn’t an intentional disciple. They might be a practicing Catholic, even a daily communicant, but they probably haven’t “accepted the saving sovereignty of Christ and become his disciple.” They need to drop their nets, go all-in with Jesus, accept his saving help.

Regardless of the length of the answer, if one mentions nothing of the name of Jesus in response to a question about how to get to heaven, it’s likely they are not an intentional disciple. Click To Tweet

Missionary Disciple

This term has been around for some time but certainly Pope Francis has taken it to a whole new level of understanding and proliferation. The Holy Father preaches a clear message that those who are true disciples will be missionary disciples and missionary disciples are characterized by the joy of the faith.

Missionaries “must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral” or “whose lives seem like Lent without Easter” (Joy of the Gospel, #10). Click To Tweet

A missionary disciple is someone who feels a genuine, even intense personal responsibility to share the Good News with others. Missionary disciples identify with the words of St. Paul, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” But more than an obligation, they consider this imperative a true joy and privilege.

Missionary disciples identify with the words of St. Paul, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” But more than an obligation, they consider this imperative a true joy and privilege. Click To Tweet

A missionary disciple goes forth. Missionary disciples take the first step, they go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast. Like Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well, missionary disciples gently meet people in their shame to show them love and provide a profound sense of belonging in their friendship. Above all, a missionary disciple desires to show mercy, the fruit of his or her own experience of the power of the father’s love and mercy in their life.

Like Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well, missionary disciples gently meet people in their shame to show them mercy and love. They provide a profound sense of belonging in their friendship. Click To Tweet

A missionary disciple gets involved by word and deed in the lives of others. Missionary disciples take on the “smell of the sheep” and the sheep are willing to hear their voice. A missionary disciple is supportive, standing by people at every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be. A missionary disciple is familiar with patient expectation and apostolic endurance.

The missionary disciple is ready to share the kerygma at any time. The kerygma is the four-point message of the Gospel that helps someone understand how to be reconciled with God. One, know that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life including a personal relationship with Him. Two, you have sinned (because all have sinned) and your sin has strained or severed your relationship with God. Three, Jesus Christ has come to reconcile you with God the Father by His passion, death and resurrection. Four, you can receive the gift of salvation by putting your faith and trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Missionary disciples believe in the power of this saving message. They put their trust in its efficacy because they know it to be true, having been transformed by it themselves.

I’m curious to see if my understanding of the terms intentional disciple and missionary disciple resonate with your own understanding. Let me know in the comments.

9 thoughts on “Common Language is Critical for the New Evangelization”

  1. Excellent. Crystal clear. Our call (as Catholics) is to evangelize – Brett describes what that means, and what may hold some of us back.

  2. Hi Brett,

    To answer your question, “I’m curious to see if my understanding of the terms intentional disciple and missionary disciple resonate with your own understanding. Let me know in the comments,” my simple comment is yes and yes.

    Having said that, I believe the more pressing questions were the ones you raised at the beginning of your blog. That is,
    “After nearly four decades, the time has come to ask ourselves, are we satisfied with the progress we have made? Has the New Evangelization taken root in our parishes and dioceses? Have we witnessed what Pope Francis has prayed for, “a new missionary impulse capable of transforming everything”? Are we tracking the transformation of structures and systems to make them more capable of announcing the Good News to the modern world rather than self preservation? Most importantly, are we seeing significant numbers of conversions? If not, a second questions begs to be asked, what contributing factors are holding us back?”

    – At the parish level, except for a small percentage, it would seem that we are satisfied with being in maintenance mode. No room here to unpack the why.

    – Generally speaking the New Evangelization has not taken root in our parishes. But, from what appears to be coming down the pike, it seems the Archdiocese of Vancouver is not satisfied with the progress that has been made. Praise the Lord!

    – To date we have definitely not witnessed what Pope Francis has prayed for, “a new missionary impulse capable of transforming everything.”

    Some thoughts on your next questions,

    – I haven’t thought much about, “Are we tracking the transformation of structures and systems to make them more capable of announcing the Good News to the modern world rather than self preservation?

    – No brainer on, ” Most importantly, are we seeing significant numbers of conversions?” The answer is no.

    And now for the $64,000 question (a lot of money in the day). “If not, a second questions begs to be asked, what contributing factors are holding us back?”

    May I answer your question with some questions?

    – Are we really a Church that prays like we have a personal relationship with our Infinite-Personal God?Prayer is one of the four pillars of the Church. It’s not too late to come back. Remember the prodigal son.

    – We are a Church that teaches humility. Are we a Church that practises humility. It’s never too late. Lord have mercy on us, on me a sinner.

    – Are we a worshipping Church? God doesn’t need our worship. We need it. Outside of the Eucharist our “Sunday Experience” is not yet close to hearing about the New Ardour, New Expression, and New Methods of the New Evangelization. It’s not too late. Come Lord Jesus, come.

    How strongly can I say this. God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, own the bus company. And although head office is in Rome, priests are the local bus drivers. Not only do we need our priests to get with God’s program, they must tell us where the bus is going and take us there, with joy!

    And it is time that we laity come along side them to help. Ah, but will they let us?

    Well Brett, once again I have said a mouthful.

    Thank you for all you share with us. Through your writing I pray I am becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ.

    Blessings my brother,

    David

  3. A perfect match, I’m in complete agreement. Thank you for clearly defining these two terms.

    1. Thanks Don. Many in leadership today are standing on the shoulders of giants – people like yourself, the many dedicated men and women that helped establish the New Evangelization in our parishes and communities. But we have so much more that can be done!

  4. Hi Brett, yes, your understanding resonates with mine. Beyond those two terms, my understanding of the new evangelization is to re-present intentional discipleship to those who are ‘churched’, through missionary discipleship. Thinking aloud here… The kerygma is so important for planting the seed. When I came to faith, it was by the risk of believing that the kerygma was about me, too. Until I wrestled with it in prayer, and all of its implications, my heart wasn’t touched.

    1. Thanks Nathalie. Evangeli Nuntiandi should be mandatory reading for anyone serving in any kind of leadership/ministry in the Church – parish, school, diocese, etc. Thanks for your great insights and encouragement.

  5. Isn’t it interesting that while 2017 was declared the Year of Missionary Discipleship by the USCCB, not one (in my world) parish featured this theme–for sure not like the Year of Mercy was featured in the previous year!

    Why? Our congregations not ready? Too “out there” for Catholics? And/or to your point, Brett: what is that?

    Lots of work to be done–also, to your point! Thanks!

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