catholic mission and evangelism

• what is evangelism?

  Spreading the Christian gospel or message by teaching or example
• what is our mission?

  being sent to evangelize
• evangelism is not forcing someone to accept christ
• history

  • god sent jesus to the world, who sent apostles 'make disciples of all nations'
  • apostles and bishops sent missionaries out
  • today every christian must share god and build up kingdom
• what is proselytising?

  trying to convert others
• evangelism is not proselytising
• the new evangelization

  • helping people in the west understand christ and want to follow him
  • using new media like the internet to spread the gospel
• what did st john paul II say about new evangelisation?

  the new evangelization will be new in its ardour ( enthusiasm ), new in its methods and new in its expressions
• how does the church engage with new evangelization?

  • locally
  • nationally
  • globally
• how does the church engage with new evangelization locally?

  • celebrating mass
  • engaging in bible study and charitable work
  • parish shares gospel
  • parish working with other local churches
• how does the church engage with new evangelization nationally?

  • catholic news papers like 'the catholic times'
  • bishops conference
• how does the church engage with new evangelization globally?

  • catholic charities like CAFOD live out the gospel by helping countries all over the world
  • the church proclaims gospel to whole world through TV, radio and modern media
• how do individuals engage in the new evangelization?

  • showing they are living by jesus teachings each day
  • sharing the love of jesus with others
• how do individuals engage with the new evangelization locally?

  • choice of career
  • spread the gospel to others like being a catechist at church
• how do individuals engage with the new evangelization nationally?

  • attending a UK event like 'flame' so young people sing and worship together
  • attending a retreat centre in kintbury where they can share their faith with other young catholics
• how do individuals engage with the new evangelization globally?

  • world youth day where young catholics gather from all over the world
  • global media to learn more about their faith
• why is it important for catholics?

  • jesus said we should spread the gospel
  • catholics feel they have received the love of jesus, so they want to share that love with others
• what did jesus say to the apostles

  therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the father and of the son, and of the holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you
• divergent views

  • some catholics think its discrimination to try teach others about their faith
  • they argue you cant know anothers religion is wrong unless you have studied which is wrong and right
  • it can lead to arguments and violence when people are told their religion is wrong
  • other thinks they can evangelize without proselytising
• how can catholics evangelize without proselytising?

  teaching the faith without pressurising and by living the faith and helping others