Maturing in Your Faith

So you’ve got the kerygma down … now what? Dave “I’m Kind of a Big Deal” VanVickle and I talk about maturing in your faith after an initial proclamation of the gospel.

The kerygma is not the end of evangelization, it’s just the beginning. It’s how someone takes the first step to becoming a disciple of Jesus, but we can’t stop there, we have to make sure that we’re preaching, but also teaching.

Click on the player above to listen to this episode, or scroll down for the shownotes.  

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Snippet from the Show

“An initial proclamation of the kerygma is not enough. It is the doorway to faith, but once you cross that threshold, you are in the house of faith, and now you must conform your life to Christ.”

SHOWNOTES

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 89 “There is an organic connection between our spiritual life and the dogmas. Dogmas are lights along the path of faith; they illuminate it and make it secure. Conversely, if our life is upright, our intellect and heart will be open to welcome the light shed by the dogmas of faith.”

Pope St. John Paul II in Catechesi Tradendae – “The Church has always considered catechesis as one of her primary tasks … very soon the name of catechesis was given to the whole of the efforts within the Church to make disciples, to help people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so that believing they might have life in His name, and to educate and instruct them in this life and thus build up the Body of Christ.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 89 – “The mutual connections between dogmas, and their coherence, can be found in the whole of the Revelation of the mystery of Christ. ‘In Catholic doctrine there exists an order or hierarchy of truths, since they vary in their relation to the foundation of the Christian faith.’

St. Teresa of Avila – “If you want to hear God speak to you, read scripture. If you want to see a miracle, receive the Eucharist.”

St. John the Baptist – “Bear fruit that befits repentance” (Matthew 3:8).

5 Practical Tips

  1. Read the Catechism, paragraphs 74-95.
  2. Pick a dogma to enter into more deeply.
  3. Connect dogma to the kerygma.
  4. For your spiritual life, ask Jesus to be Lord of your life, ask where you need him to assert his lordship over you, and conform.
  5. Pray for the USCCB.

Resources: Livio Melina, Catholic theologian


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.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Never Miss an Episode!

Get show notes, exclusive bonus content, and more sent straight to your inbox.