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Forming Missionary Disciples

“Transmitting the faith means to create in every place and time the conditions which lead to this encounter between the person and Jesus Christ. The goal of all evangelization is to create the possibility for this encounter, which is, at one and the same time, intimate, personal, public and communal.”
-2012 Instrumentum Laboris 20

Video: What Should Parish Evangelization Look Like?

The Path of Discipleship

It is important for all missionary disciples to know the general “shape” of the path of discipleship in order to better understand each person, where they are “at” spiritually, and what they need in order to be disposed to the grace of God. Here are some great metaphors that great Catholic people are using to talk about the path of becoming an intentional disciple of Jesus Christ:

Guidebooks from the Office for the New Evangelization

List of Apostolates

Click each heading below to see a list of apostolates that can help your parish in each of these specific ways.

Parish-Based Evangelization Ministries (Comprehensive)

The apostolates in this section offer parishes a comprehensive plan to move people around the entire Baseball Diamond by (1) inviting people into a personal relationship with Jesus, (2) forming them as His disciples and (3) equipping them with skills for mission to those who do not yet know Him. To find a parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia running one of these ministries, send us an email.

Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO)
CCO works with parishes to help them launch spiritual multiplication in the parish through small groups and one-on-one accompaniment. The CCO process centers on the CCO Faith Study Series, which has been designed to proclaim the Gospel, equip the faithful and commission them to become missionary disciples. Parishes can work with CCO on a formal coaching contract or use the Faith Study Series without coaching. 

ChristLife
This three-part evangelization process leads people to encounter Jesus (Discovering Christ), follow him (Following Christ), and learn to share him with others (Sharing Christ). It is designed to lead people through the stages of discipleship through DVD-based teaching, a meal, and building strong community bonds. Learn more about ChristLife in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Evangelical Catholic
Evangelical Catholic’s ReachMore assists parishes in forming intentional disciples by training leaders and equipping them for apostolic mission in the world and in the Church. Leaders are trained in the foundational habits of personal prayer, sacramental life, connection to community and the skills for mission to others.  A ReachMore contract offers parishes personalized coaching throughout the process of implementation. 

  • 10:10 Challenge: Also offered by Evangelical Catholic, the 10:10 Challenge is a discipleship formation process suitable for individuals or a small group of up to 4 people. The group meets for 10 weeks in order to instill habits like personal prayer, immersion in God’s work, the sacramental life and other foundational habits for a Jesus-centered life.

FOCUS Parish
FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) has been one of the most fruitful disciple-maker ministries on college campuses in the world. FOCUS Parish is a new initiative which takes FOCUS’ model of spiritual multiplication from the campus to the parish. See the links below to find free resources for forming and training missionary disciples in your community.

Discipleship Quads – Franciscan University of Steubenville
A Discipleship Quad is a group of four people who journey together as disciples through weekly gatherings of fellowship, ongoing conversion, and learning. This 12-month path of accompaniment fosters growth through prayer, accountability, and authentic relationships. This method of discipleship can be launched in almost any setting, within a parish or as a personal ministry. The website provides online training for coordinators and small group materials at no cost.

Proclaiming the Kerygma

The first step in any evangelization process is to bring people into a personal encounter with Jesus (kerygma) and help them begin to walk with Him as a disciple. The apostolates in this section focus on assisting parishes to create this initial first step.

Elevated Parish Missions
Elevated Parish Missions is an outgrowth of the Summer Conferences at Franciscan University of Steubenville. They work with parishes to offer a 3-night parish mission designed to cultivate a deep, life-changing encounter with Jesus. Part of their goal is to help parishes reach not only active parishioners, but everyone in the parish’s neighborhood regardless of their relationship with the Church. 

Metanoia, from The Ministry of the Wild Goose
This 10-part series featuring Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, President of Franciscan University and founder of The Ministry of the Wild Goose, leads us on a journey with Christ into conversion. Each of the episodes explores areas of our life where conversion is so often necessary. Metanoia will examine topics such as who is Jesus, what must we do to inherit eternal life, and many other significant matters of faith. With preaching from Fr. Dave as well as personal testimonies from men and women, young and old, religious and lay, their stories will inspire you to seek to encounter Jesus and the new life he is constantly inviting us to.

Practical Kerygma
Practical Kerygma is a Catholic apostolate located in the Diocese of Lansing. Their mission is  “to authentically proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to holistically form ministers who will foster a healthier church.” They offer parish missions, retreats and formation series aimed a conversation through the proclamation of the kerygma, the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

The Rescue Project
This is a 9-part series presented by Fr. John Riccardo of the Acts XXIX apostolate, which communicates the core message of the Gospel (the kerygma). The videos and guides for facilitators and participants are available for free on the website. The series is also available in Spanish (dubbed).  

The Search – on Formed.org
The Search is a 7-part Augustine Institute Original Series with the goal of lighting that first fire in those who don’t yet know the faith or reigniting the fire in those who need a primer on the foundational questions: Who am I? What am I searching for? What’s our shared story? Who is Jesus? Why do we need a Church? Is there a God? This series is an excellent tool that will help you lead others into a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and to invite them to make a decision for Him.  

Creating On Ramps

The apostolates in this section specialize in helping parishes to create “on ramps,” that is, opportunities that make it easy for people to make an easy, non-threatening first contact with God and the Church.

Step Into Silence
Step Into Silence is an outreach campaign that works with parishes to help them invite people on the peripheries to spend some time in silence inside of their church.  As an evangelization apostolate, it is especially intended to reach those in the neighborhood who may be far from God and searching for meaning and peace.   

Communio
Communio is a nonprofit that consults with parishes to use 21st century data tools and best practices to reach out by offering relationship health ministry to strengthen marriages and families in their community. It is especially designed to help parishes reach inactive Catholics and the religiously unaffiliated, along with their own active parishioners.  

Reboot! with Chris Stefanick
REBOOT! is a one-time event that your parish can host that is designed to reach people, no matter where they are in their relationship with God. It’s a fun, inspiring and practical experience for all (ages 12 and up), of applying the beauty and genius of the Gospel to every aspect of your life, from prayer and spirituality, to work, dating, marriage, parenting, health and more!

Mission Training for Parishes and Teams

For well-formed Catholics who are ready to “go make disciples“, this section lists apostolates that will help your parish form and train them for mission to those who don’t yet know the love of Jesus.

Catherine of Siena Institute
The Catherine of Siena Institute, co-founded by Sherry Weddell, is dedicated to equipping parishes for the evangelization and formation of lay Catholics for the sake of their mission to the world. They offer numerous resources for formation and training in evangelization, including: Ananias Training on intentional accompaniment, Called and Gifted for spiritual gifts discernment, book studies on Forming Intentional Disciples and more.

Catholic Missionary Disciples
This organization partners with a parish to coach them through the implementation of a strategic plan to launch a sustained missionary discipleship movement. A partnership involves small group coaching for parish staff and leaders as well as one-on-on mentoring for individual leaders. 

Evangelical Catholic
Evangelical Catholic’s ReachMore assists parishes in forming intentional disciples by training leaders and equipping them for apostolic mission in the world and in the Church. Leaders are trained in the foundational habits of personal prayer, sacramental life, connection to community and the skills for mission to others.  A ReachMore contract offers parishes personalized coaching throughout the process of implementation.

FOCUS Training Resources
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) has made many of their training materials and evangelizing Bible studies available for free online.  

From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Video Series and Discussion Guide
From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age challenges practicing Catholics to undergo a process of conversion from maintenance mode to mission mode in parish life. The resources below will help give parish staff and ministry leaders an introduction to these concepts and help you discern how to apply them practically to life in the parish:

Office for the New Evangelization Formation Courses
We regularly offer formation courses for those who wish to deepen their discipleship and grow in missionary habits and skills. These opportunities rotate locations around the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Learn more about our various course options, how to attend a course or how to host one at your parish at: phillyevang.org/courses.

Revive Parishes Ministry Training
Revive Parishes provides online ministry training for parish leaders taught by the best and most experienced Catholic ministry practitioners in the country.  There is no cost to use the Revive platform.  Recommended courses: Missionary Discipleship with Julianne Stanz, Everyday Apostles with Ryan O’Hara and Parish Renewal with Tim Glemkowski. For more information and to sign up for courses, visit reviveparishes.com.

How to Lead a Transformative Small Group
A powerful part of all fruitful evangelization is to offer people an experience of a small group. In a small group, friendships are formed, faith is strengthened, and new insights emerge. Whether you are running small groups for ChristLife, Evangelical Catholic, CCO, a FOCUS Bible Study or an adult faith formation program, the small group discussion is a pivotal part of helping a person moving into a deeper encounter with Jesus. Since small groups are so important for spiritual growth, it’s important that we run them well and create a life-giving experience for participants. Here are some great resources that offer tips on how to effectively facilitate a small group experience: 

Video: Ascension Press, Facilitating Small Group Discussion (10-Minute Training Video)

Article: FOCUS Equip, Leading a Transformative Bible Study

Handout: Ground Rules for Small Groups (Consider reviewing these with participants at the beginning of your first meeting.)

Door to Door and Street Evangelization

Have you discerned a call to knock on doors in your parish neighborhood or reach out to people you meet on the street? These apostolates train Catholics for these efforts.

St. Paul School of Evangelization 
The St. Paul School of Evangelization is the educational arm of St. Paul Street Evangelization dedicated to training, equipping, and mobilizing Catholic disciples for the urgent work of evangelization. Training is available in person or online. 

Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
Community of contemplative-missionary sisters whose primary apostolate is outreach to inactive Catholics, especially through door-to-door visitation.   The Archdiocese of Philadelphia rejoices to have a convent of Parish Visitor sisters in Clifton Heights, PA.  The PVMI door-to-door manual and some audio CDs are available for purchase.

Sent: Where Evangelization Hits Home
Sent Evangelization provides Catholic pastors with the method and tools to reach all the souls living within their parish boundaries (Christus Dominus no. 30.1). And does so by equipping parishoners with a neighborhood evangelization method, based on baptismal identity and focused on charity.

Genesis Mission
Based in the U.K., Genesis Mission trains parishioners in a practical methodology for meaningful, transformative conversations with others, especially those whom they encounter on a daily basis who may be distant from God and the Church.Test apostolate here

Addressing Spiritual Roadblocks

Unbound Ministry
All of us carry within our hearts “stuff” from the past that, as we follow Christ, will begin to surface. The Lord wants our whole heart and so he will ask us at times to face the things in our hearts that prevent us from belonging fully to him. To ensure that these moments in the spiritual journey become stepping stones instead of roadblocks, it is important for all disciples to know how to make a response to the grace of conversion that Christ is offering us.

The primary fuel of interior transformation is found in the sacraments, spiritual direction, and a regular prayer life. In addition, prayer ministries such as the Unbound Deliverance Ministry can be a very effective help in breaking through our interior roadblocks into deeper freedom in Christ. The Five Keys of the Unbound model of deliverance help a person to make deliberate acts of faith, repentance, forgiveness and renunciation around the area where they are stuck in order to allow the power of the Gospel to break into their areas of darkness and lead them ever forward into the Father’s love. Without this key piece, would-be disciples of the Lord risk getting stuck along the journey. To learn more about Unbound, click here.