Whay don't Catholics spread the Gospel more readily and enthusiastically?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lobster123
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Joe_5859 said:
I think the OP is looking for a Master’s level program that focuses specifically on evangelization and would offer the student a good blend of the scholarly/academic theological formation and practical guidance in effective techniques of evangelization.

The OP served as a volunteer with NET ministries (where young adults volunteer a year or two of service to travel around the country offering retreats for youth) and has already earned a Bacehelor’s degree in Theology from Franciscan University. I assume the OP was sharing some background so that we would have some idea of where he/she was coming from in terms of education and experience.

Does that make more sense? :o
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help.
I realize that it is very specific.
Thanks a lot.
 
Lobster123 said:
I am a Catholic who is searching for a masters program in evangelization. This program would teach methods of evangelization using modern techniques and have multiple avenues in doing so. Random evangelization and techniques in Catholic witness would be practiced etc… We need a program like this as well as the heady theological training. A place where practice and education would meet. Does this exist in the Church at all. I have NET National Evangelization Teams) in my background as well as a BA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Is there anything like this out there?

Lobster123
Click to expand...
I think what you are looking for sounds great. It would be nice if more Catholics studied how to evangelize the Catholic faith. Living your faith out is fantastic and shows a lot but when it comes to answering why we do such things, we need to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us and know how to explain it in a way that works.
A lot of Catholics go through the motions but can’t explain why they do. Also, evangelizing is needed so desperately to bring Catholics home and bring our seperated brethren home.

I wish I could suggest something but I don’t know of anything, though when I googled what you were looking for to see if there was something, I came across this
goingforth.org/pdf/Archdiocese_Plan_Eng.pdf

So, I think maybe each diocese might have an Office of Evangelization. Possible contact your diocesan office or talk to a counselor at a good Catholic University. Perhaps at Steubenville. Another thought might be to contact someone who is a successful apologetic, such as Patrick Madrid, Jimmy Akin or Tim Staples.
Sounds like you are on a great path. 🙂

God Bless
Sue
 
I evangelize all the time. I study everything on the faith I can get my hands on, and use it all the time. I evangelize to people I meet on the bus, people I meet on other boards, people who try to convert me to their faith (it’s amazing how little Jehovah’s Witnesses actually know about Jesus), and basically everyone outside of work (where no one knows I’m Catholic).
 
LilyM said:
Good heavens - how many university degrees did Our Lord have? St Peter? St Monica? Mother Teresa? Yet all were successful evangelists.

Evangelization doesn’t happen because of ‘techniques’ that can be studied and replicated ad infinitum. And I’m deeply suspicious of anyone who tells me that it does.

It happens because the Holy Spirit works on both the one trying to spread the gospel and the one listening to it. And the HS can work through even the most hesitant tongue and the most hardened heart.
Click to expand...
I’d have to agree with this sentiment. Not to bash formal education…but we already have Sacred Scripture, we have Sacred Tradition, we have the Catechism, we have the Sacraments and we have priests to help guide us. Read the entire Catechism, the entire Bible, all the writings of the church Fathers, all the letters, decrees, bulls, etc from all the Popes and Bishops that you can find, and then ask your priest if you have any questions about these sources…and I bet you’ll have a “spiritual PhD” in evangelization!

Oh yeah…pray for God to speak through you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
I think those who are involved in the RCIA journeys either as sponsors or companions are excellent examples of lay evangelists. With so many churches and so many RCIA programs throughout the world, most of which are run by lay volunteers (many very well trained, I must say), especially in Asia where I am, I cannot see how we are not enthusiastically spreading the Gospel. Here in Singapore, it is common for Catholic households to have crucifixes outside our doors, our altars in our living room, and monthly neighborhood gatherings for gospel sharing or reciting rosaries in homes. All of these make our presence very visible. Any non-Catholic curious enough to want to know what all these visible signs are about is welcome to join. Yes we do not stand at street corners handing out leaflets nor approaching people to ask them if they have encountered the Lord, but we are spreading our faith in our own way.
 
We do. Through our Bishops, Priests, and Religious Brothers and Sisters. They are our Shepards and they do this throughout the whole free world. And, the closed off nations as much as possible. We the sheep; non Ordained Religious, are expected to preach the Gospel in our every action. To visit the sick and the imprisoned, feed the hungry, aid the poor, and invite others into the Church. So, that they may recieve sound and proper instruction into the Faith. The sheep are not ordained to preach the Word of God. However, we are to allow the Light of our God to shine through us in a constent vigil of love towards one another in action and deeds.
 
The best way to evangelize is not through a methodical system using a state-of-the-art communication systems, but through works of charity and by example. What good is it to talk if you are not doing what you are preaching?
 
I believe what the OP wants is training in Apoligetics like the CC have in the field of theology. Similar to what Protestants have when they train their own to evangelize other people. I remember Scott Hahn saying that when he was doing evangelization on Catholics, it was like shooting ducks in a barrel because they knew vary little about this.

I think it is a good idea, but I don’t know of anything we have. But I think that
is a good idea to have such a school if there were enough interested.

The Catholics who went street preaching used a program to train people for this
vary thing. It would be training on which bible verses are the most used and
most important to use and memorize. How to handle questions of all sorts.
Knowledge of several areas of our faith.

We have formal education in every field that is important. Prayer and example are
always demanded, but the other is also needed is seems to me. It isn’t that we
will win arguments or convert, but rather just to sow seeds by loosening up the
ground for the Holy Spirit. And there is a way to be a success and a way to
be a failure when it comes to imparting knowledge and talking on subjects.

Just a thought.
 
Lobster123 said:
I guess that I’m just really frustrated that Catholics don’t have or do more in the area of evangelization. We have the Eucharist! Come on people. I do need to pray more, no doubt, who doesn’t but really. Can’t we get together as Catholics and maybe a few protestants and get something going. Maybe I shouldn’t try to re-invent the wheel and do a protestant evangelization masters. …maybe as an undercover Catholic? Anyways thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut folks. It is much appreciated!

Lobster123
Click to expand...
I have seen some cruises with people like Scott Hahn, Jimmy Atkins, and other that use the cruise to help teach evangelization. Sorry can’t think of any offered right now usually in the summer months I think.

I will add too that at my daughters parish they got a new young priest and he educated some volunteers at the church. Taught them some apologetics and then they went house to house asking the people if they wanted to know more about the Catholic church. The parish increased 15% in 4 months with most being Catholic who were just drifting away from the faith. But some were from other faiths the entered the RCIA program run by the priest and deacons to answer and teach these interested people more about the Catholic Church. Nort sure if all entered the church from the RCIA but I would bet they are at least less anti-Catholic.
 
You don’t train to spread the gospel! First you Believe in God-Second you asked him to guide you in your faith in HIM! Third You pray for the Holy Spirit To speak Through You- His Words to be your words- Then the truth shall be Heard!

Why don’t catholics spread the gospel more readily ect.??? Because The Holy Spirit seems to be lacking there. Up to the leaders to change that one!
 
I agree with Fred Conty and Tomb54. We Catholics sorely need instruction in apologetics to evangelize in a Christian environment; Mark 9:38-39, Luke 9:49-50. Protestents go through 3 to 6 hours of Bible study a week all there lives. When I was young, Baptist went to Sunday school from 8 to 9 and than Church service from 9 to 12. on Sundays. Wednesday nights they went for Church services from 7 to 9 in the evening. What seems to be an over riding theme in the Protestent world aginst us Catholics is that a great part of our beliefs are not supported or alluded to anywhere in the Bible: Vatican City is the City in Revelation that sits on the seven mountains, the Pope is the anti christ, and the Catholic faith is the great whore that decives all the nations. If you start to over come any of these things, the’ll look you right in the eye and tell you all they NEED to know is in the Bible. And, that is an unrufetable truth.
What we must remember is that the Churchs that formed out of the reformation are guided by the knowlege of mans study of the Bible; whereas, the Holy Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. This is why I say, our daily lives and actions are our most important attributes to evangeliztion in this Christian environment. Put a Catholic bumper sticker on your car and drive with the greatest respect for others, obeying all the just laws of man. Always interact with others with the greatest humility and a smile on your face. Pray the Rosary and pray it publicly too. On your front porch or In a public park anywhere that’s quiet peaceful and comfortable for yourself.
 
DavidWJackson said:
I agree with Fred Conty and Tomb54. We Catholics sorely need instruction in apologetics to evangelize in a Christian environment; Mark 9:38-39, Luke 9:49-50. Protestents go through 3 to 6 hours of Bible study a week all there lives. When I was young, Baptist went to Sunday school from 8 to 9 and than Church service from 9 to 12. on Sundays. Wednesday nights they went for Church services from 7 to 9 in the evening. What seems to be an over riding theme in the Protestent world aginst us Catholics is that a great part of our beliefs are not supported or alluded to anywhere in the Bible: Vatican City is the City in Revelation that sits on the seven mountains, the Pope is the anti christ, and the Catholic faith is the great whore that decives all the nations. If you start to over come any of these things, the’ll look you right in the eye and tell you all they NEED to know is in the Bible. And, that is an unrufetable truth.
What we must remember is that the Churchs that formed out of the reformation are guided by the knowlege of mans study of the Bible; whereas, the Holy Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. This is why I say, our daily lives and actions are our most important attributes to evangeliztion in this Christian environment. Put a Catholic bumper sticker on your car and drive with the greatest respect for others, obeying all the just laws of man. Always interact with others with the greatest humility and a smile on your face. Pray the Rosary and pray it publicly too. On your front porch or In a public park anywhere that’s quiet peaceful and comfortable for yourself.
Click to expand...
You are right. We need to have answers and there are answer for each question. We also need Catholic who want to know there faith and pastors who encourage them to want to know it. When they ask us we also need to have question for them, like why they do not believe want the early Christians and then have quotes from the earliest father the talk about the real presence, the bishops, and following the Catholic Church teachings.
 
To answer your first question (the title of the thread), it is partly because Catholic have so continually been on the receiving end of evangelization , especially from fundamentalist sects. They have experienced this as a real pain and annoyance, and do not want to cause others this grief, even though the Truth subsides in its fullness in the Catholic Church.

I think this is why most Catholics prefer to witness through the way they live their lives. If someone engages us in conversation, that is one thing, but most Catholics have experienced the difficulties of being approached by other groups, and have a strong distaste for it.
 
wordtourfather said:
What you want is the Augustine Institute, hands down: augustineinstitute.org/

Curtis Martin is helping to lead the surge in new evangelism for the church by motivating the youth: focusonline.org/site/PageServer?pagename=curtis_appointment
Click to expand...
The best way to spread the Gospel is to live the Gospel. The Catholic church doesn’t get the converts it wants because many Catholics don’t live the Gospel. It’s just as simple as that. Throwing money and bureaucracy at it isn’t going to change that, and in fact could make it worse.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top