FAQ

What does it mean to be evangelically Catholic?

The evangelical Catholic seeks to foster a spirituality and approach to ministry centered on the four great marks of evangelical life and movements:

  • interior conversion
  • a prayer life nurtured in the sacred text (Lectio Divina)
  • Christian community
  • engagement in the evangelical mission of the Church

These elements of evangelical life are not emphasized to the exclusion of a sacramental life, but rather in augmentation to that which is already richly present in the Church.

How can you be Catholic and evangelical at the same time?

To be fully Catholic is to be evangelical. “Evangelical” simply means “of the Gospel.” All Catholics are called to order their life according to the Gospel. In evangelical Catholic life and ministry we are intentional about being evangelical so that the riches of evangelical life, can be rediscovered and fostered within the Catholic Church, and so flourish.

What does the Catholic Church think about evangelical Catholics?

Both John Paul II and Benedict XVI have seen in the evangelical movement, which spans every continent of the world today, hope for the renewal of the Church in the new millennium. In fact, in Papal biographer George Weigel’s assessment, “John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council with the intention of turning Catholicism into a vibrant, evangelical movement.” The New Evangelization promoted by John Paul II is aimed precisely at helping Catholics to experience interior conversion. You can read more at Evangelization in the Church.

Must every Catholic be evangelical?

Yes, in the sense that to be “evangelical” means to be “of the Gospel” — to know and love Jesus Christ, to be a faithful disciples, to love those around them, to live in Christian community and to share the good news with others in need. Does every Catholic have to call himself an “Evangelical Catholic?” Of course not. Nor does anyone have to affiliate with this or that movement. We use the phrase, as we have said, because we feel called to live, foster, and promote evangelical life and ministry in an intentional way in the Catholic Church.

We already have Bible study groups in our ministry, what more do we need?

Small groups are a great start at building evangelically Catholic parishes. They are a place where parishioners can experience caring, Christian community, and where they can be challenged and encouraged to grow in their personal faith and love of the Scriptures. The EC also recommends creating other settings, such as one-on-ones, large group ministry, and discipleship training groups, as well as imbuing existing catechetical ministries with an evangelical charism. Finally, a key component in the transformation of a parish or campus ministry is the equipping of the faithful to help others experience conversion, grow in discipleship, and share the Gospel.

How long does it take to make a Catholic ministry evangelical?

As soon as you begin! However, Evangelical Catholic Ministry is something that starts slowly and grows. Because it focuses on fostering conversion and discipleship in individuals, it is not an overnight process. You will definitely be encouraged after a year’s work, and then at about three years you should see a substantial difference. John Paul II said that the parish should be the center of renewal, but, for that to happen, every dimension of parish life has to be renewed. That takes time. But there is joy in the journey!

What is the mission of The Evangelical Catholic?

The Evangelical Catholic, incorporated in 1998, is a non-profit organization that assists campus ministries, parishes and diocese in their evangelical efforts. Our mission is “The renewal of individuals and ecclesial communities through an emphasis upon interior conversion, discipleship, devotion to the Scriptures, intense Christian community, and a joyful commitment to the work of evangelization.”

What does The Evangelical Catholic offer that the Church does not already have?

In a sense, nothing! Everything The Evangelical Catholic promotes is part of the rich heritage of the Catholic Church. However, certain aspects of our tradition have not always been emphasized. The Evangelical Catholic is working to help Catholics rediscover these beautiful and life-changing elements of their faith by training parish and campus ministry leaders in Evangelical Catholic Ministry priorities and methods.