ICSP Catholic Communities
Maintenance to Mission
To transition from a passive maintenance mindset to a proactive, mission-driven approach, actively seeking opportunities to contribute positively to our community and make a meaningful difference through our actions.
The phrase “Catholic Maintenance to Mission” refers to a significant paradigm shift within the Catholic Church. It describes the necessary transition from a primary focus on maintaining existing church structures, programs, and the status quo to a more active and outward-focused mission of evangelization and making disciples.
Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:
Maintenance Mindset
- Focus: Primarily concerned with preserving what already exists.
- Priorities: Keeping current parishioners happy and involved, maintaining buildings and programs.
- Underlying Assumption: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
- Potential Outcomes: Shrinking congregations, inward focus, stagnation.
Mission Mindset
- Focus: Actively engaging in the Great Commission – “Go and make disciples.”
- Priorities: Helping all people encounter Jesus, growing disciples who share their faith and transform culture.
- Underlying Assumption: The Church exists to evangelize.
- Potential Outcomes: Growing and thriving communities, outward focus, vitality.
Driving Forces for the Shift
- Realization of the Church’s core identity: The fundamental mission of the Church is evangelization.
- Declining numbers: Many parishes face decreasing attendance and engagement.
- Secularization: The increasing secularism of society presents challenges to passing on the faith.
- Pope Francis’s call: The Pope has consistently emphasized the need for “missionary discipleship” and going out to the peripheries.
Elements of Moving Towards Mission:
- Evangelization as the primary lens: Evaluating all parish activities based on their effectiveness in spreading the Gospel.
- Parish Evangelization Teams: Establishing or strengthening teams dedicated to outreach.
- Focus on discipleship: Forming individuals to understand their call to share Christ.
- Reaching the unchurched and disengaged: Creating opportunities for those outside the Church to encounter Jesus.
Examples and Initiatives
- Diocese of Superior’s “Maintenance to Mission” initiative: A multi-year plan to actively engage in evangelization.
- Parishes focusing on Alpha courses: Providing opportunities for those seeking to explore Christianity.
- Emphasis on personal invitation: Encouraging parishioners to invite others to church and faith events.
- Developing parish pastoral plans focused on evangelization.
Challenges
- Shifting ingrained mindsets: Moving away from a maintenance focus can be difficult.
- Fear of change: Some may resist new approaches to parish life.
- Resource allocation: Prioritizing mission activities may require re-evaluating existing spending.
In conclusion, the concept of “Catholic Maintenance to Mission” represents a vital and ongoing effort within the Catholic Church to re-center its focus on its core purpose: to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset, priorities, and actions at all levels of the Church.