Do you want to evangelize in a post-Christian society? There are a few things you need to know.
We all proclaim the same gospel, but we all need to use different methods. The methods that St. Paul used in Athens or Rome and the approach of a missionary in India, Southeast Asia, or parts of Africa will be different than someone who lives in a post-Christian society.
There are, however, universal principles that stand the test of time. Today, Mike and David go through three ages of evangelization, explain how to overcome four hurdles in evangelizing, and also three different types of evangelizing.
Snippet from the Show:
“No matter how opposed someone is to Christianity, you have to understand that deep down, it is what they want. It is what they most desire. It is the answer to all their questions.”
SHOWNOTES:
5 Practical Takeaways:
- Read Evangelii Nuntiandi
- Fast for someone at your parish
- Pray and reflect on St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit
- Read 2 Timothy 4
- Write down and reflect on this quote “She exists in order to evangelize.” What parts of your life exemplify this? What parts do not?
Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:
- Gaudium et spes
- Evangelii nuntiandi
- Paragraph 9
- Paragraph 80
- Redemptoris Missio
- Podcast, This Cultural Moment
- Introduction to Philosophy by Daniel Sullivan
Meet Your Hosts
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
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.
Hi writing you from Abbotsford, BC., St. James Parish. l found your podcast when l tried to find a resourse to help my group to read the “Evangelii N..” a bit easier. We’ve been studying together toward the Parish Alpha course (end of this year). The key points you discussed are very useful, l’ve forwarded your podcast to our group. Thank you & God bless you for your ministry. -Mari N.
How to counter general apathy toward God/religion in evangelizing? I recently asked a British man if he believes in God and what he thinks the purpose of his life is. (I did this after taking an interest in his life over weeks to develop a relationship and show him Christian love).
His answer to my question was very kindhearted, but very apathetic. Raised by an anti-Catholic mother in non-Catholic country he simply didn’t really care either way if God existed.
It’s one thing to show love to someone aggressively anti-God. In this case, it’s almost as if he/she is about to snap in some sort of “thou doth protest too much” fashion. It’s another thing to counter kindhearted apathy. Any tips?
Why as Christians are we promoting the terminology of “Post-Christian” society. A more accurate description is “Post-Truth”. Christianity by definition can’t be post. Christ is present regardless of size it is rather society’s acceptance of both natural and supernatural truths that is to be judged. By promulgating the term post Christian we are inadvertently surrending the very platform and discussion point to which Christ called us to evangelize. Post-Truth helps both believer and those open to being evangelized to see and understand the fullness of Truth.
Erik,
The difference between what is intended by the authors and the point you wish would stick is that in the former case, the word “Christian” is an adjective which modifies the noun, “society.” Certainly it is an indisputably, objective and observable act that Christendom in all its forms is, at large, dead. For this reason, the authors are not only correct in their claim, they offer it because those intending to evangelize others must take into account that all presumptions connected to the notion of Christendom are no longer operative, and that therefore the manner in which “nones” and other unbelievers are approached must reflect reality, or be doomed to mostly fail.
Alternately, you are using “Christian” or “Christianity”as a noun, but your perspective is completely removed from the any relevance to the topic. As a result, it’s completely invalid in any treatment of evangelization and, in fact, has no place at all in the discussion of the podcast.
I wonder: did you actually listen to the podcast, or did you just fire from the hip because you (erroneously) believed you knew what you were saying? I mean no insult, but I’m betting you wouldn’t have posted your comment as you did if you actually listened to these very experienced and knowledgeable Catholic Christian men.
In case you’re wondering, yes, I have read much of Michael Gormley, and to a lesser extent, Dave VanVickle, which is why I understand what they mean by the short blurb posted for the podcast.