I remember growing up being terrified of my basement. It was unfinished- uncarpeted stairs and floors, random poles everywhere, medieval washer and dryer, and some creaky exercise equipment.  Unfortunately, it also housed the foosball table.  If I wanted to engage in some competitive leisure, I had to venture down to the basement. What definitely scared […]

Small Groups Are Not the Answer Everyone is doing it. It’s the latest thing. It’s the answer for this generation of Catholic ministry. Small groups! All I’m hearing at conferences is “you have to start small groups.” Campus ministries and many parishes around the country are buying in. It’s at the core of the EC’s […]

It shows in everything he says and does – Francis’ pontificate exemplifies what it means to be both evangelical and Catholic. As many know, “evangel” means “good news.”  Followers of the EC will have heard us stick “ical” on the end of the English translation to make “goodnewsical.” People sit up, attention arrested, because when […]

1)     They spend 8 months crafting a new mission statement. So your parish wants more unity – a vision to run with.  Your staff sees a disunified, scattered community.  Most people who attend Mass are unengaged with parish life.  Maybe a mission statement will build the necessary unity upon which we can build.  Problem is, […]

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” –2 Corinthians 5:17 Very few Scripture verses have eluded my experiential conviction like 2 Corinthians 5:17.  How I long to be a new creation with a pure heart, with holy and faith-filled action, with a […]

During the summer when I was 9 or 10 I really wanted a pocket knife. I asked my dad and he said he would think about it. I hated it when he used to say that. I waited…and waited. I dreamed of all of the cool things I could do with it. Making arrows, carving […]

I have a Pope-crush on Pope Francis. His actions witness to a consuming love and zeal for the lost and forsaken.  The whole world has heard about his humble, unexpected acts.  He asks for the blessing before he gives it; picks up his own luggage; shies away from positions of honor.  Francis not only washes […]

And Jesus came and spoke to his disciples, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and upon the Earth has been given to me.  Going to a coffee shop, therefore, lecture all kinds of people about all matters of theological and apologetic importance, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, […]

Back one more time with the last installment of Pope Francis is an Evangelical! Click here for Part 1 Click here for Part 2 Magisterial-Goodnewsical Moment #4 Our Purpose is to Bear Fruit: “The Church exists to evangelize.” (Evangelization of the Modern World, Pope Paul VI) Francis’ priority is decidedly not Church as an unsullied […]

Hi EC blog followers!  Back with two more Magisterial-Goodnewsical Moments.  If you missed the first two and the introduction, see Part I:http://theecatholic.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/pope-francis-is-an-evangelical-part-i/ Magisterial-Goodnewsical Moment #3:  In Evangelization, Personal Witness Precedes Doctrine What Benedict taught eloquently in encyclicals and exhortations, Francis lives dramatically, making the content of our faith come alive. For me, faith is born […]