Trying to be apostolic...need help

[BornAgain2010]

This is something Ive never quite understood, so maybe someone could give me some advice on it…

We’re supposed to be apostoIic and support the evangelical mission of the Church and to spread the word and such. Yet, I’m still afraid to do so. I want to help out and contribute and such, but I’m afraid I may come off as proselytizing or that I may sound pushy about it.

It is right to be proud in your faith and share it with others and proudly proclaim it without fear of persecution. However, it is still wrong if you try to force it on someone and/or ask them to go against their beliefs…even if by accident.

Of course, if someone has questions on the faith, I am more than happy to talk with them. Or if they wanted to convert and came to me for guidance, I would help them. Though I would probably direct them to someone with RCIA or someone that knows more about the process than I do. After all, I’m only a laymen.

I guess what I’m asking is, how do you practice evangelization and help others to share in the gift of your faith, without being proselytizing, offensive, or forceful (even if only by accident)?

Also, how much evangelization should we be doing on a personal level? to what capacity? and how much is left to the authority of the clergy and missionaries?

 

[Della]

The best things you can do are:

Pray. Ask God for opportunities to share your faith and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Be friends with people. Just be there for those around you–people you see every day. Show them Christ by living the life of Christ before them.

Get involved in a parish ministry. Ask where you can help out.

Know your faith. Learn it and how to meet people where they are, taking them from what they understand deeper into understanding more. Never be unkind to those who don’t understand or who attack you/your faith. Be gentle and loving with everyone, willing to help them instead of merely opposing them.

It’s great you want to do something instead of hiding your light under a bushel. If you live the virtues you will be doing that and people will come to you wanting to know what you have so they can have it too.

 

[Barbkw]

I’d suggest that you join RCIA as a sponsor. There, you will get a feel for the program and you will be matched up with either a lapsed Catholic or a protestant convert interested in learning about Catholicism.

Also, it may be that you have specific abilities in certain types of ministry (adult faith formation for Catholics, addiction support, prison ministry, women’s shelters, etc.)

If you get EWTN - DISH Channel 261 - Marcus Grodi has a program titled, “Journey Home” and on there he talks to converts - lapsed Catholics but mainly protestant minister converts.

This week he’s talking to Church of Christ convert Eben Emerson:

youtube.com/watch?v=bXX6oE5kn38

 

[BornAgain2010]

Well, I joined the Knights.

On Sunday no less, just two days ago. It was AWESOME! scary But AWESOME!

But I digress.

I was asking because our priest keeps talking about it in his sermons, and the Knights of course as we are an organization of “Lay Leadership”. So I was just wondering how exactly one shares in his faith and what not. I think for me, the best way is to follow St. Francis’ idea.

“Lead by example, and when necessary use words.”