The Catholic Summary – Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization

Note: The Catholic Summary is the beginning of a series that makes a “Cliffs Notes” version of a recent document or event relevant to the mission of FOCUS.

On April 18, 2012, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (commonly referred to as the USCCB), released a new document called Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization (view or print full document here).

This is an exciting development for the Church in America.

We will review: what it is, why it matters, and a brief summary of the document.

What it is?
The document Disciples Called to Witness is all about implementing the New Evangelization here in America.

What is the New Evangelization? In short, the New Evangelization is a specific call to re-evangelize those who have been baptized, but who do not live out the faith. It is not changing the content of evangelization, but rather the context or delivery of that message. For more on the New Evangelization, check out this article.

Why it matters: 3 reasons

1. The problem is real
   We live in a Church where less than 25 percent of Catholics attend Mass on a weekly basis. At times, Catholics can almost avoid or be afraid to talk about the steep decline of attendance and commitment in their parishes.
   
   
2. Our Popes have called for us to live out the New Evangelization
   Blessed John Paul II asked the Church to commit all of the Church’s energies to the New Evangelization and the mission Ad Gentes (to the nations). Pope Benedict XVI has reaffirmed and increased the call for the New Evangelization.
   
   
3. This document gives us a game plan for the New Evangelization in America
   This is the first document from the America bishops that directly addresses this vital topic for our Church. It is a call to action and a call to reform the culture of our churches and parishes. The Church in America needs help in this call to re-evangelize those who have become weak or dead in their faith and this document delivers.

A Brief Summary

Outline
The document is broken up into five main parts.

1. Current Cultural Content
   Description: Hones in on our current situation regarding Catholics who no longer attend Mass, progress that has been made, and areas for growth in the future.
   
   
2. Historical Context of the New Evangelization
   Description: Reviews how the Popes have articulated the New Evangelization in the past from Pope Paul VI to Pope John Paul II to Pope Benedict XVI.
   
   
3. The Focus of the New Evangelization
   Description: The focus of the new evangelization is Jesus Christ who alone is able to answer every human’s deepest questions.
   
   
4. Culture of Witness
   Description: Covers a number of different methodologies or what could be called strategies for the New Evangelization.
   
   
5. Key Components of Outreach Programs
   Description: Elaborates on practical ways to carry out the New Evangelization in a parish. 

6 Personal Takeaways

1. Great summary
   I find that there is a good deal of confusion about the New Evangelization among faithful Catholics. I thought the summary and history of the New Evangelization in Part II: Historical Context of the New Evangelization was the best I had ever read. Check it out here.
   
   
2. Jesus Christ is life-changing!
   In Part III, the document states, “‘The Christian message was not only ‘informative’ but ‘performative.’ That means: the Gospel is not merely a communication of things that can be known—it is one that makes things happen and is life-changing” (p. 8).
   
   I think this is such an important message. I feel that most Americans think that Christianity is an exchange. A person receives eternal life in exchange for lower quality of life that takes away one’s freedom. In reality, the Gospel message gives us a greater life (and freedom!) than we could ever imagine. Vatican II stated that “Christ reveals man to himself.” It is through Jesus Christ that we are most human and can become most fully alive. We have to “sell” this message more and more. We have focused on requirements for so long rather than benefits. The requirements of the Church are important. But, if people see the benefits, the requirements become so much easier to meet.
   
   
3. We are called to discipleship
   Part IV of the document lists some methodologies or strategies for the New Evangelization. The first methodology listed is discipleship. The document recognizes that the only way to become disciples of Jesus is to walk with another disciple. This is precisely why FOCUS uses the method of discipleship or mentorship as a vital method in our mission. It was great to see this method of FOCUS encouraged by the USCCB. For more on discipleship, go to Leader Resources on focusequip.org.
   
   
4. Practical Application
   I really enjoyed the practical application piece in Part V. We can’t simply talk about the New Evangelization; we need to act on it. While not getting too specific, the document outlines some great ideas and ways to act out the New Evangelization in a Catholic parish. I want to review this more and see how I can implement the New Evangelization in my own parish.
   
   
5. Electronic Resources
   The document speaks to the use of electronic resources as parishes attempt to implement the New Evangelization: “Some additional skills and practices for team formation:…Participation in training programs for one-on-one evangelization, including online resources that make use of social media.” As the creator of FOCUS Equip and focusequip.org, an online evangelization and discipleship resource website, I was pretty excited that they had mentioned this as a great way to live out the New Evangelization. This is a huge part of my life.
   
   
6. Culture of Witness
   One serious obstacle to the New Evangelization in America is that Catholics are not used to sharing their faith with others. By creating a culture of witness, we can make evangelizing a normal thing in our Church. We have a long way to go, but I do believe it can become a reality.

Killer Quotes

Here are some quotes that stood out to me in the document. Note: All pages numbers are taken from the electronic version on the USCCB website.

“While it is directed to all people, the New Evangelization focuses specifically on those Christian communities that have Catholic roots but have “lost a living sense of the faith, or even no longer consider themselves members of the Church.” – Preface, p. 1

“The task before the Church is to form Catholics who are willing to communicate and witness the faith to those who are no longer actively practicing.” – Part I: Current Cultural Context, p. 2

“Currently, there are numerous pastoral programs meant to encourage and support people in their journey back to the faith. However, for these programs to be effective, bishops, eparchs, pastors, catechists, and indeed all Catholics reaching out to our missing brothers and sisters must touch the lives of others, interact with them, and show them how the faith answers the deepest questions and enriches modern culture.” – Part III: The Focus of the New Evangelization, p. 9

“Our hope is not in a program or philosophy but in the person of Jesus Christ, who comforts those who are burdened.” – Part III: The Focus of the New Evangelization, p. 9

“To create a culture of witness, we must live explicit lives of discipleship. Being a disciple is a challenge. Fortunately, one does not become a disciple of Christ on his or her own initiative…One seeking to learn how to be a disciple of Christ does so through apprenticeship.” – Part IV: Culture of Witness, p. 11

“Discipleship is rooted in human experience. It is through human experience that one enters into a dialogue with modern culture. The human experience provides the “sensible signs” that help us come to know ourselves, one another, and God.” – Part IV: Culture of Witness, p. 13

Conclusion
My hope is that you wouldn’t just read this summary but that you would read the document as well. It is important to be united with our bishops, to take their vision, and to take action alongside of them. The document is relatively short and an easy read.

Question: What do you think will be the most effective method for the New Evangelization?