Lay Ministry

[Catholic4Jesus]

I know these next few questions may seem stupid, but I’m going to ask them anyway.

Is it apropriate for a lay man/woman to preach in the name of Christ to unbelievers the same way that Protestant “street preachers” do? Is it okay for a lay person to set up a ministry; whether it be a street ministry, internet ministry, etc in the name of the Church to preach the Catholic faith? If so, must they need permission from the local bishop to do so?

And most of all, what is the best way for lay Catholics to evangelize to unbelievers if not mentioned above?

 

[klm120861]

The first thing would be to discern what type of ministry you feel the Lord is asking you to do. For me, I felt, for a long time, that I should write a blog. I wasn’t sure of the focus other than “Catholic” (duh) Over time, I felt my blog should follow the Catechism. It should also be written in such a way that if a Protestant should read it, they will be able to understand what is being said. In other words, I would explain “Catholic” words and phrases that someone who isn’t a Catholic won’t know - even if they are a Christian. Words like “concupisience”. Basically, the focus would be what Catholics believe, how it is different from Protestant traditions - at least the Protestant traditions that I came from, and why it matters.

Once I knew the direction I wanted the blog to take, I told my priest what I was thinking of doing. I also asked him to recommend someone I could have look over each blog before I post it to make sure what I write is doctrinally correct, which he did. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t unknowingly writing something that was opposed to Church teaching. I will always be grateful to the gentleman who reads my stuff before it’s published.

I would recommend the same proceedure for any lay ministry you are thinking of. Discern what it is to be, get the blessing of your priest, and leave results up to God.
Kris

 

[kkollwitz]

If God is calling you to a lay ministry, that’s good. I would make your pastor aware of your intentions, and let him decide how much involvement and/or oversight (if any) would be appropriate.

 

[1ke]

Yes lay men and women can be involved in the types of ministries you refer to. The great Frank Sheed and his wife Maisie Ward of Sheed & Ward publishing and the Catholic Evidence Guild are great examples.

Yes, you would need permission of the bishop.

 

[Lisa1967]

I know these next few questions may seem stupid, but I’m going to ask them anyway.

Is it apropriate for a lay man/woman to preach in the name of Christ to unbelievers the same way that Protestant “street preachers” do? Is it okay for a lay person to set up a ministry; whether it be a street ministry, internet ministry, etc in the name of the Church to preach the Catholic faith? If so, must they need permission from the local bishop to do so?

And most of all, what is the best way for lay Catholics to evangelize to unbelievers if not mentioned above?

I’m going to try to answer your last question as I think the first question has been addressed already.

The most effective forms of evangelism (in my experience) have been lifestyle evangelism and friendship evangelism. I was a Protestant attending a Catholic high school but became interested in the Church when I saw others living their faith. I subsequently joined the Church through RCIA.

Both lifestyle evangelism and friendship evangelism played a role in my becoming a Christian. I saw my Christian grandparents living their faith and that was attractive to me. They didn’t preach about what to do, but mentioned their faith in everyday conversations. When I was in college, I was lonely and some friends invited me to a Christian student group. I gave my life to Jesus then.

There is a group called Alpha that Protestant churches use to reach out to unbelievers. The website is alpha.org. People are invited to come share a meal and ask questions. There is an introductory session and then people can sign up for classes. Maybe a parish can adapt this for their needs.

In my experience, street preaching isn’t very effective. I was a student at two Big Ten universities and encountered these preachers on campus. Students generally laughed at them and asked mocking questions.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

Congratulations on your willingness to be used by God. There are many ways and groups which do this type of thing; just use Google and Youtube to find.

As for your first question, not only is it ok for a lay person to carry the message, through Baptism and Confirmation lay people are now ministers of the Gospel and have full authority from Christ to speak to others about Him. There is a difference of speaking verses “preaching” as it were, but everyone is allowed to speak to others or “evangelize”.

The greatest thing to remember is that if you feel called to this type of ministry God will use your efforts to bring people to him; though you may never see the results. Here’s a link to a story called “A link in the chain” about a man called to street evangelization using a simple sentence. I won’t tell you the effect, read the story, but it will give anyone hope.

Good luck.