How Can Stewardship Foster Evangelization? – John Boucher, (www.catholicevangelizer.com)

_“. . . . Every ministry must . . . be an evangelizing ministry. It is our contention that if a ministry is not an evangelizing ministry, then the existence of the ministry itself must be questioned and challenged, redefined and transformed. Evangelization is not just an item on the agenda of any parish or ministry; evangelization is the agenda. Evangelization in this way is much more than a specific ministry; it becomes a Catholic way of life.” (_Adapted from Susan Blum Gerding and Frank P. DeSiano, C.S.P., Lay Ministers, Lay Disciples: Evangelizing Power in the Parish, p.30, 159-161)

Here are some steps that stewardship can take to further the essential mission of evangelization in the parish:

1. See that our parish stewardship committee and all ministries are rooted in prayer and discipleship.

2. Work to develop a sense of community and service between members. Format our meetings so that we develop as an evangelistic ministerial community. 

3. Constantly help our committee or ministry to see the place of Scripture in understanding its work.

4. Make sure our ears and eyes are open to everyone, especially to the poor, the hurting, and the needy.

5. Keep the parish from being obsessed with its own needs.

6. Insure that our parish, committee, or ministry operates from a clear and evangelizing mission statement.

7. Be willing to ask the deeper questions and review that mission and purpose periodically.

8. Only foster those actions that further the unity of the parish, its sense of binding love in the Holy Spirit.

9. Be examples of the generous stewardship to which we call others. Live personally by the same moral principles that we ask of others.

10. Support our pastor in his strengths; strengthen our pastor is his weaknesses.

11. Make sure that we allow many others to become involved in service and do not monopolize ministry for ourselves.

12. Foster an evangelizing vision in all other parish and diocesan ministries.

13. Reach out to unchurched people and to inactive parishioners who also deserve the attention of the parish.

14. Provide money, materials, and opportunities for our committee or ministry members’ training in “how-to” evangelize in daily life.

15. Support the establishment and funding of a parish evangelization commission or team and of a director/coordinator of evangelization.

_ “This will be the main purpose of all that comes my way as work… to love Jesus, to speak of Jesus and to make Jesus known.”_  (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Missionary to the Americas)

John J. Boucher is a Catholic evangelization consultant and trainer. He served for many years as the director of evangelization in the Diocese of Trenton. He has authored/co-authored over 300 religious articles and many books including, Sharing the Faith that You Love: Four Simple Ways to Be Part of the New Evangelization.