Engage
Outreach can be as simple as three steps. - connect, welcome and engage. Engaging people does not have to be intimidating or religious. Still engagement is serious business for retaining people in church. There are many ways to do it. Here are some:
- provide a meeting place for professionals to develop spiritual purpose in their career
- gather families and form community (e.g. game or movie nights)
- sponsor a grief support group
- mobilize parishioners to advocate for the poor and marginalized with community leaders
- help with spring cleaning and gardening for elders
- provide families with spiritual resources online 24/7/365
- host a parent’s night out or mother’s morning off
- convene online discussions on popular TV shows, movies, and books
How to Engage Families? If you are starting from scratch consider hosting a workshop for parents through the Strong Catholic Families, Strong Catholic Youth Initiative. This initiative is designed to help parents to understand the crucial role that they play as leaders in shaping the faith of their children and receive necessary resources. If interested contact Chris Hanley or call 716-847-5521. If you already have things happening but you are looking to develop a family ministry beyond a children’s choir and child care, consider the follow steps:
1. Let parents take the lead. Gather a small group of parents - both new and experienced, for whom
faith is a high priority.
2. Assign a staff liaison.
3. Ask interested parents to invite another couple that wants more from their experience at church.
4. Let this group consider their own needs and recommend three top priorities.
5. Listen to the leaders of any existing ministries to children and families - affirm their efforts and elicit
suggestions for improving existing activities.
6. Make a decision - you may decide to enhance current efforts or you may decide to try something
new that address a previously unengaged audience.
7. Act - keep improvements small and targeted.
8. Evaluate and plan next steps.
Use Money - Churches across the country are engaging people by providing financial advisement to help the many people who are far too deeply in debt. We live in a culture of debt. There are bad habits that are widespread and just as financially dangerous as job loss, illness or disability. More and more people allow the bank to keep track of their checkbook. Others use credit cards to pay household bills. People who do not use credit cards are far more successful at budgeting and living well and within their means, manage to be generous and capable of funding future plans. Churches that engage people in this practical ministry find that it also serves as an outreach to people who were previously uninvolved in church.
Engage people through the use of talents and interests. When we discover that a young person plays an instrument, do we engage this talent in the music ministry for worship? When a young adult displays abilities in technology do we invite the use of their expertise in updating the parish website or creating a social network? After someone recovers from the loss of a loved one, do we invite this person to join us in caring for others when they face similar tragedy? Every talent can give glory to God. Everyone wants to belong to a church that lets them do what God has given them to do.
We are all called to be partners in God’s kingdom building project through our Baptism. Some churches understand this as a primary ministry of the church. How can you help parishioners identify their talents and find a way to do what God has given them to do? There are published versions of gift assessments available (e.g. the Strength Finder). The Office of Parish Life can provide similar training and the use of a free talent inventory.
Engage people through needs-based ministry. What do the people you know need most at this time? It might be help with a broken marriage, support in times of unemployment. Recognize that this expertise is not ours but theirs. Some parishes host self-advocacy groups for people with disabilities, retreats for cancer survivors or support for those suffering from addiction. Some parishes provide annulment workshops to assist those who want to reconcile their relationship with the Church.
Engage people through liturgy. Sunday morning is prime time. A vital community engages people in worship. When people criticize a parish for a lack of welcome, friendliness, spirit, or vitality they are usually referring to an experience of weekend worship. Studies have long confirmed that Masses are judged primarily on the quality of four elements – welcome, preaching, music and participation.
... at the door. One of the best things that a parish can do is to ask families with children to serve as greeters. Seeing a family at the doors of church and receiving a song book or bulletin from a young face puts a smile on everyone’s face. Many organized presiders find it well worth their time to be out in front before Mass begins to connect with the congregation right at the door. Many skillful pastors catch up with people after Mass and connect them with others of similar interest.
... in God’s Word. Forty-one percent of those who attend most non-denominational churches are former Catholics. When asked how that is accomplished, one pastor replied, “We just engage them better.” Going on he explained that his strategy is to bind people together with God’s Word. Some priests know how vital the homily is and take advantage of opportunities to bring people together in and out of Mass. Consider some of the following strategies to keep the message relevant, interesting and fresh: 1. Occasional pulpit exchange with another parish (consider nearby parishes and diverse parishes), 2. Send a draft of the homily to another preacher for suggestions or feedback, 3. Meet with parishioners to prayerfully consider the upcoming readings and share insights, questions or applications about the Gospel message. Consider the latest Renew publication – Lenten Longings as one resource for this sharing in God’s Word - www.renewintl.org. Another popular work is Mary Birmingham’s Word and Worship Workbook: For Ministry in Initiation, Preaching, Religious Education and Formation - www.PaulistPress.com 4. Gather parishioners for a spiritual book club to stay attuned to the spiritual questions and concerns that occupy parishioners and put those in dialogue with the Gospel each week Priests who share their message with another preacher before the Mass report that it inspires them to do better. Homilists who prayerfully consider the Word with others often report receiving new ideas for applying the Scriptures to daily life.
... through music and environment. Good music selection always emphasizes a familiar repertoire and settings that encourage maximum congregational participation over performance. Good liturgy coordinates visuals, rituals, and music with the message. Environment and symbols must speak clearly to the congregation. All new music should be rehearsed with the congregation. Purposeful changes in environment and occasional choir exchanges can revitalize congregational participation. Effective use of silence allows people to drink in the vivid imagery around them and hear the urgings of the Spirit within them.
... through regular feedback. Pastors can demonstrate leadership by surveying the congregation regarding satisfaction with aspects of weekend liturgy. If done regularly (e.g. 6 months) this can provide a pastor and other liturgy leaders with valuable trends regarding satisfaction. It also invites parishioners to have higher expectations for liturgy and their preparation and participation in it.
Engage through ministry evaluations. Do not stop with liturgy. Invite leaders of parish organizations to evaluate the efforts of their group. Invite parish leaders to consider the purpose and effectiveness of their ministry as a work of evangelization. Are they connecting, welcoming and engaging parishioners in their ministry? Is the purpose of the organization clear to everyone in the parish? Does the organization communicate clearly and persuasively the ways members and parishioners can contribute to its mission? Are new members sought and made to feel welcome? Do members of this organization learn and grow together in their faith?
Engage through spiritual growth self evaluation. Use this opportunity to engage all parishioners in their own spiritual self-assessment: Is prayer a cornerstone of my day? Do I offer to pray for others or with others when they are in need? Do I have a hard time forgiving others? Do my financial investments match my faith commitments? Do I encourage the spiritual growth of a friend or family member? Does someone at church encourage my spiritual development? To whom do I turn for spiritual direction? Do I know the purpose of my parish? Do I have opportunities to learn and grow in my faith at church?
We know that most people who join a church already had a connection before they showed up on Sunday. They walked across a bridge that was already built for them by someone whom they trusted. We also know the importance of extending a hearty welcome and befriending anyone who displays such courage in these times. Because people find a variety of paths into participation, parishes view every point of contact as an opportunity to welcome and engage people in God’s kingdom building mission. These parishes will not only survive in the years ahead, they will thrive.
Real pastoral effectiveness in the years ahead will come less from doing things right and more from doing the right things. To obtain the necessary information and take action, you only need to view the project proposal and attend a free conference event at Christ the King Seminary on March 16-17, 2011. This initiative is made possible by the generosity of the Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. View more information and join us on the path to parish vitality.
by Dennis Mahaney, Office of Parish Life