Does your parish actively evangelize?
You might say no because there’s no special evangelization program like a door-to-door ministry.
But I think that’s the wrong way to look at it.
Here’s an example from the business world that makes this point.
Baking marketing into the business
This quote from a Copyblogger post got me thinking of this.
It’s part of a dialogue discussing how marketing can’t be thought of as something extra to your normal operations.
The subhead was “Baking marketing into the business.”
OK, I want to keep moving. The mistake I see people making is thinking about marketing like some kind of magic pixie dust sprinkled around when the need arises.
Marketing isn’t any less important than the products and services you deliver or the people who provide them.
Sonia: In other words, it’s not some kind of frosting you put on top of the business. It is the business.
Sean: Right. Appreciate that everything your organization does is marketing — from the invoices you send, to the way the phone is answered, to the method of fulfilling your customer’s needs.
Many businesses mistakenly think of marketing as something done now and then. A campaign that you spend money on that needs to give a return on investment. That’s the wrong way to look at it.
Great businesses see marketing as an integral part of doing business. And, it’s everyone’s responsibility. These companies thrive because of this.
Evangelization is the business
The point I want to make is that everything in your parish is evangelization–from the bulletins you print, to homilies at Mass, to the lessons being taught in CCD.
And, yes…to the way the phone is answered and the way you meet the needs of your parishioners.
If we’re going to effect a New Evangelization, it can’t be something added on–some new silver bullet program or magic killer app. Fundamentally, evangelization is about relationship. Often how you relate to people is half the work.
Yes, there should be specific evangelization programs that present the gospel and engaging people outside the parish.
But everyone, in their own small part of the big picture, should see themselves as evangelizers. And, they should know how to evangelize in their own specific role.
That’s why it’s so important to be an evangelizing catechist!
So, the catechist in CCD should be evangelizing. The priest in Mass should be evangelizing. The secretary on the phone should be evangelizing.
In other words (Sonia Simone’s words), “it’s not some kind of frosting you put on top of the business. It is the business.”
We need to understand this for our parishes to be truly evangelizing.
Marc,
This reality you point out about evangelization is the business is so true. We need to continue to help staff and volunteers see this in their ministries!
Yes. Our parish is explicit about evangelization as St. Peter so winsomely put it: “Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” We have a pretty robust catechesis program, youth group, and adult classes, seminars, lectures, etc. One the fruits of this structure is a steady stream of adult converts.
It makes a difference.
Yes! I bet it does make a difference! It sounds fabulous.
Thanks William. I think I’m particularly thinking about catechists and how evangelization can’t just be relegated to something done outside the parish. We have to start in our CCD programs and core parish programs. Every catechist and evangelist should be the model of every CCD program. But it extends throughout the entire parish. How staff interact with parishioners or even just visitors has profound implications for evangelization. If someone is not treated well when they come into the office, do you think that will make them want to join the parish or become Catholic? An evangelizing parish gives a good customer service experience as well. That’s something sorely lacking in many parishes.