Evangelicals and catholics evangelizing together?

[womanatwell]

Yes, this issue of cooperation in evangelisation is very dear to the heart of Pope Francis and one he returns to often. To these excellent citations can be added a paragraph from our Holy Father’s apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium:

*246. Given the seriousness of the counter-witness of division among Christians, particularly in Asia and Africa, the search for paths to unity becomes all the more urgent. Missionaries on those continents often mention the criticisms, complaints and ridicule to which the scandal of divided Christians gives rise. If we concentrate on the convictions we share, and if we keep in mind the principle of the hierarchy of truths, we will be able to progress decidedly towards common expressions of proclamation, service and witness. The immense numbers of people who have not received the Gospel of Jesus Christ cannot leave us indifferent. Consequently, commitment to a unity which helps them to accept Jesus Christ can no longer be a matter of mere diplomacy or forced compliance, but rather an indispensable path to evangelization. Signs of division between Christians in countries ravaged by violence add further causes of conflict on the part of those who should instead be a leaven of peace. How many important things unite us! If we really believe in the abundantly free working of the Holy Spirit, we can learn so much from one another! It is not just about being better informed about others, but rather about reaping what the Spirit has sown in them, which is also meant to be a gift for us. To give but one example, in the dialogue with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, we Catholics have the opportunity to learn more about the meaning of episcopal collegiality and their experience of synodality. Through an exchange of gifts, the Spirit can lead us ever more fully into truth and goodness. *

Thank you for this reference. It seems every Christian needs to pray to the Holy Spirit to bring us to unity.

 

[womanatwell]

I have had some profound experiences of evangelising with other Christians.

The first time happened at a Churches Together event, I turned up, and was told we would be going out door knocking, in the style of the JWs. After praying together over lunch, we went out, I met my partner for the first time, and we had about ten minutes walking from the church to the first house, to try and understand each other.

We knocked on the first door, he said hello I’m John from the Anglican Church, and I introduced myself as Eric from the Catholic Church. I can only say this caused a lot of curiosity, people could not understand why we would be together, so they engaged us in questions on faith.

It seemed our differences and togetherness, was of interest to the people we met.

This is very interesting. I’m wondering if you each distributed material from your respective denominations.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

This is very interesting. I’m wondering if you each distributed material from your respective denominations.

The purpose of the door knocking was a questionnaire, to ask what people thought about Jesus at Easter, we took no leaflets with us.

It’s hard to explain how it worked, in a way we had to put Christ above our own individual churches, and we had to show support for each other.

Truthfully, we had no real preparation, other than about ten minutes talking with each other, before knocking on the first door. We prayed for the occupants as we walked to each house.