Catholics are good at a great many things: Prayer. Social justice. Community.
Evangelization, however, comes more difficult for many of us. For whatever reason, many Catholics find it challenging to talk about the way the Lord is working in their lives, whether they’re speaking with family members, friends, colleagues,
neighbors, or complete strangers.
It just got easier. My friend and sister in Christ Nancy Ward at JoyAlive.net is stepping out in faith with a new DVD, “Sharing YOUR Faith Story.” In addition to her own stories of renewal and conversion, Nancy provides ten tips for sharing your story. I was especially struck by her three suggestions for beginning to develop your story: Who were you before? What happened–was it a decisive moment, or a gradual awakening? Who are you now? It reminded me anew that storytelling was one of Jesus’s best evangelization tools, telling us parables about how people’s hearts, souls, or bodies were suffering… and then healed by the Lord’s love and mercy. It’s much more effective than judging people and telling them that in your less-than-humble opinion, they’re headed straight to hell.
For me, telling my faith story comes easy, perhaps because writing and speaking are among my gifts and because the Lord blessed me with numerous people, Catholic and non-Catholic, who were open with their journeys as I struggled to find my way back to the Church after an absence of more than thirty years. It’s also made it easier to identify those continual moments of conversion in the ten years I’ve been back and the wonderful people who have blessed me.
That said, for many of my friends, those moments are difficult to share. They seem too private, too personal. And yet, that is what we are called to do, to evangelize and bring souls to the Kingdom. Sharing our stories help to do that, and Nancy’s tips and advice on the DVD (also available in a seminar for your parish or group) show us all how to do that effectively.
I’m humbled to be part of Nancy’s blog launch tour, along with some other great sisters in Christ. I hope you’ll consider visiting her Web site for details on how you can win the DVD and a $25 Amazon gift card. I hope you’ll act on some of the options Nancy has provided for learning more about her ministry via Twitter, Facebook, and her blog. I hope you’ll visit the other fine folks who are helping out with the unveiling of “Share YOUR Faith Story.” I’m praying that Nancy’s tips will help you find the courage and words to evangelize and share with others the great things the Lord is doing in your life.
Monday, Oct. 12 – Nancy Ward – JoyAlive.net
Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Connie Rossini – ContemplativeHomeschool.com
Wednesday, Oct. 14 – Rebecca Hamilton – PublicCatholic
Thursday, Oct. 15 – Here!
Friday, Oct. 16 – VirginiaLieto.com
Monday, Oct. 19 – Lisa Hendey – CatholicMom.com; winner of first DVD announced on JOYAlive.net and Nancy HC Ward
Tuesday, Oct. 20 – Jean Heimann – CatholicFire
Wednesday, Oct. 21 –Barbara Szyszkiewicz – FranciscanMom
Thursday, Oct. 22 – Melanie Jean Juneau – CatholicMom.com, Joy of Nine, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers
Friday, Oct. 23 – Margaret Rose Realy – Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
Monday, Oct. 26 – Contest prize winners for second DVD and $25 Amazon.com gift card announced on JOYAlive.net and Nancy HC Ward.
