Being a Leader in Evangelization

We need leaders in the Church. If you want ministries at your parish, that aren’t happening (or aren’t going very well) this may be your que to step up as a leader in evangelization.

In this episode, we talk about how priests, lay employees, and volunteers can be leaders in their own right, and you don’t have to wait for someone to formally empower you to lead others.

Snippet from the Show

“The word ‘leader’ can be intimidating, but the Holy Spirit is the primary agent of evangelization. You’re just the lead follower of the Holy Spirit.”

SHOWNOTES

Leadership in Evangelization

  • There is a crisis of leadership in the Church today.
  • Priests:
    • The homily needs to be kerygmatic.
      • Give a call to action every homily.
    • Win your staff.
      • Make sure your staff is on board with the mission.
    • The parish priests need to be available to the people, especially for sacraments.
    • Try to imitate St. John Vianney.
  • Lay Employees:
    • It is poor form to give a class or workshop on something you are not willing to do.
    • Model what you are teaching.
    • Set up regular meetings with your parish priest.
    • Witness to your fellow employees the same as your parishioners.
    • Don’t view working at the church as a chance to make money.
  • Volunteers:
    • Continually discern how God is calling you to lead in your parish.
    • Don’t grow comfortable with someone as a leader just because they have been doing a good job.
    • Help onboard new leaders before they are needed.
    • Be a good disciple outside of your volunteer position.

5 Practical Tips

  1. Priests: Ask yourselves honestly, and ask others “how is your leadership holding back the parish?”
  2. Kerygma: Explicitly share the gospel with someone.
  3. Employees: Are you waiting for empowerment or permission to serve the gospel? Identify areas where you can be more active in the kerygma and come up with an action plan to start implementing this.
  4. Prayer: Prayerfully read Acts 14 and read the kerygma from Paul and Barnabbas
  5. Volunteers: Spend more time praying for those people God has placed in your ministry.

Remember: The Holy Spirit is the prime mover, not you, so don’t let the “leader” in your title overwhelm you.

Resources from the Show


Meet Your Hosts


Michael “Gomer” Gormley

Michael “Gomer” Gormley

Michael has been leading evangelization and ministry efforts for the past ten years, both as a full-time parish staff member and as a speaker and consultant for parishes, dioceses, and Catholic campus ministries.

He is also the founder and creative director of LayEvangelist.com, and the producer and cohost of a Catholic young adult podcast Catching Foxes, which discusses the collision of Faith and Culture.

He is married to his college sweetheart, Shannon. Together they have about 1,000 children and get about 3 hours of sleep a night, which is alright by him.

David “Dave” VanVickle

David “Dave” VanVickle

Dave VanVickle fell in love with the Lord at the age of fourteen. Since then, he has dedicated his life to bringing others into a radical relationship with Christ.

He is a speaker and retreat leader. His programs focuses on proclaiming the universal call to holiness, authentic Catholic spirituality, spiritual warfare and deliverance. Additionally, Dave has over ten years of experience assisting Priests with their ministries of exorcism and deliverance.

Dave resides in Pittsburgh with his wife Amber and their five children: Sam, Max, Judah, Josie and Louisa.

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