Evangelizing is a scary word and Catholics don’t like it.
I used to date a Baptist and in the spirit of ecumenical harmony, I went to a “megachurch” with him. I was greeted at the door by several smiles, handshakes and an immediate welcome. With the exception of some hateful words from some YoungLife kids in high school, I felt a strong sense of community and Love at Protestant events.
Theology aside, Protestants sure know how to attract souls. When you see someone brimming with joy, you want to know how they found it!
Somewhere along the way, Catholics stopped evangelizing. Maybe it’s because we produce so many of our own? No matter the reason, it’s time to start engaging again.
Before you run away screaming, here is a list of easy, but active ways YOU can spread Christ’s message without worrying about shoving a bunch of words down a stranger’s throat:
- When you’re at the store, chat with the cashier like your goal that day was to make them smile. I have a friend who spent a year as a missionary at Covecrest Life Teen camp in Tiger, GA where they did this regularly as an exercise. He is a CHAMPION single-serving chatter. “Single-serving,” like Fight Club, and “chatter,” despite his introverted characteristics. I’ve been to the store with him many times and I’m always amazed at his ability to be sincere, speak to the cashier like he or she is his only interest for those few minutes, and eventually bring up the greatness of God in light conversation. It’s inspirational. Be that kind of champion!
- To the business and other frequent travelers: You are #winning, yes oh yes. You know to put your three ounce liquids in a quart-sized baggie and in an easily accessible place, you know how many plastic bins you need in the security queue, you know not to wear shoes with laces, and you know to hold your arms in a wide Y in the security scanner. Instead of letting your frustration with amateur travelers get to you when you’re at the airport, smile. Give the cashier an extra five dollars and ask them to subtract that from the bill of the person behind you. Be patient, even if others are outrightly rude to you.
- Go to the parish picnic and introduce yourself to five people you’ve never seen before.
- If you shake hands with a new face during the gesture of peace during Mass, spend five minutes talking to them after the conclusion song. You never know when someone is at their first Mass in years.
- When you’re in a terrible mood, make it your goal to be annoyingly cheerful to a point where someone says, “Wow, you’re a delight!” If you’re still cranky, you can think, “I fooled you!” and I bet your mood turns around.
- Change the tone of your voice and make an effort to be kind to people who call you or who you have to call for a customer service reason. Remember : it’s not their fault that the cable, phone, or whatever isn’t working for the umpteenth time.
- Overabundant displays of public affection make everyone uncomfortable. How is anyone going to witness Christ through you when you have you tongue in your boyfriend’s ear in the canned foods aisle?
2 thoughts on “Engage, the Other “E word””
These are all very good suggestions! When I converted, I was so shocked that more Catholics weren’t openly evangelizing the way my friends in IV were. While in IV we went out of our way to try to take the good news to people, by serving others on campus or by setting up direct evangelization tables. It was an amazing experience. Then when I’d bring the topic of evangelization up with my Catholic friends, they would react like I had just suggested the Eucharist was only a symbol. “we don’t do that, we’re Catholic. As long as we live nice lives, people will be attracted to the Church. It’s not comfortable, that’s not how I do it, I’ll talk to someone if I feel that I am called to” yada yada. Very disheartening.
But I think that you have carved out a good beginner’s guide to sharing the faith here Elizabeth. Nothing very forward, just a little out of the comfort box of “living my life”.
I have to say, I think it’s a myth that evangelizing is an inherently extroverted thing. You have to remember that some folks (some fellow introverts) actually shy away from super chatty or overbearing evangelizers (or even if they are not overbearing, they may be perceived as so by an introverted “target”). I remember when I was evangelical Protestant trying to “evangelize” to my brother-in-law (wasn’t baptized anything). I invited him to our cool Sunday service and just was really cheery and friendly and talkative about the faith and how it changed my life. Problem is, his temperament doesn’t respond well to that approach. He doesn’t like feelings-based, “my life has been changed” testimonies, and was offended by the rock-n-roll style service (yes, he wasn’t even Christian but he wanted to see a more “sacred” approach), and what he really wanted was to engage in deep, intellectual discussion on faith matters.
I like how many of your suggestions focus on being more virtuous – like showing kindness to others. I think part of evangelizing is growing in virtue and focusing on the unique gifts God gave you for which He intended you to “give away” to others. If you’re an intellectual sort who doesn’t like niceties and wants to punch a person who is smiling all the time (I say that partially in jest, but I have some dear loved ones like this :)), then focus on engaging people intellectually or writing about the faith (hello blogosphere!) or even tithing regularly or doing more charity/reaching out (a generous lifestyle speaks VOLUMES!). Find what fits!