"The Church which 'goes forth' is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice." (The Joy of the Gospel, 24)
St. Paul reminds the faithful that “A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9). As Christians, we must be like leaven, carrying the love and joy of Christ to the world, especially where no one else will go.
The love and joy that nurtures us through the encounter of Christ ought to transform the world through our presence and work. We, like yeast thrown into dough, must be conduits of the animation of the Holy Spirit, allowing God’s grace to transform the world in us and through us!
A community of missionary disciples embrace the LEAVEN strategic priorities as followers of Christ.
Missionary disciples nurture a relationship with Jesus Christ and seek opportunities to share the joy that comes from that relationship, captivating hearts that yearn for more, and warmly drawing others into an encounter of Christ. Forming a community of missionary disciples involves intentional focus, an openness to dream, and trust in the Holy Spirit as the instigator of discipleship. Consider the resources below as you strategize how to draw others to Christ in love, stewardship, and with a focus outward.
“We proclaim that, through our faith, the stories of Christ continue and that our lives are part of the story of salvation." (Go and Make Disciples, 4)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's published a document Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States, which will help parish communities start discussions on evangelization and begin to put into practice the work of missionary disciples.
The Evangelical Catholic Reach More program is a personalized coaching and systematic online training to transform your parish or campus ministry into a disciple making community.
RENEW International helps build small Christian communities to transform the Church, so the Church can transform the world. RENEW helps parish leaders shepherd their community and offer adults an opportunity to deepen their faith. RENEW works with parishes to train leaders and accompany them as they attract parishioners to share their faith in small groups and grow their parish into a community of communities
Amazing Parish is for Pastors to work with a community of over 300 pastors who want to lead heroically
Revive Parishes is a collection of courses for the parish given by ministry leaders for next level of ministry success.
Catholic Lay Organizations provide the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland the ability to use their gifts and talents in service to the Church.
STEP is a series of online courses created by Notre Dame theology professors and other theologians. Whether you are a catechist, school teacher, lay minister, deacon and other adult Catholics, you will find these courses to be intellectually-rigorous and faithful to the Catholic tradition.
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