Mission & Evangelism

Mission and Evangelism

Mission comes from Latin, and means ‘to be sent out’ to do a task. For a Catholic, it usually means to be sent out to spread the faith. Evangelism comes from the Greek words for the ‘good news’ or the Gospel and means to go to people who don't believe in Christ and tell them about Jesus and his teaching.

Mission and evangelism

Before his Ascension, Jesus told his disciples to proclaim the Gospel all over the world.
- (Jesus) said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.' [Mark 16: 15 - 16 NIV]
This is understood to mean that Christians should try to convert people.
- 'What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved (about Jesus), to point him out, to make him known?' [Evangelii Gaudium 264]

Catholic teachings on mission and evangelism

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the role of the Church is to be sent out to all peoples and to preach to them about Christ. (CCC 868)
This work continues the mission of the apostles. (CCC 869)

Catholic teachings on mission and evangelism 2

Lay people are also called to fulfil their mission through evangelism, which is described as proclaiming Christ by word and by the witness of their lives. (CCC 905)
Pope Francis has also encouraged a new evangelism, to bring the joy of the Gospel to the hearts and lives of others. (Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis, 2013)

Traditional views on the mission and evangelism

Christians undertake the mission of evangelisation because they want to share their belief in Jesus with others.
They believe that those who come to believe in God experience joy and a sense of purpose.
The Church also teaches that people can only be saved if they believe in Jesus as their saviour.

Alternative views on the mission and evangelism

Some Christians reject this and say that God will welcome all people of good will into heaven.
In recent times, some Christians have said that other faiths should be respected and it is wrong to try to convert them.

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is a Catholic charity, which is often based in parishes or in local areas. It was originally founded in 1833 in France by Frederic Ozanam. It now does charitable work in about 140 countries.

The work of the SVP

Most people who support the work of the SVP are volunteers.
They offer practical support to the poor and needy in their area.
They visit the needy in their own homes to show them solidarity.
Their work can also include raising money and providing clothes, furniture and food.

Views on the work of the SVP

The work of the SVP follows Jesus’ teaching and example to care for those who are in need.
This is well expressed in the parable of the sheep and goats, where Jesus says that caring for their suffering is an expression of love for God (Matthew 25:31-46).
The work also reflects Catholic Social teaching, as expressed through many encyclicals.
Catholic Social teaching emphasises the dignity of every human being and the preferential option with and for the poor.

Relevant quotes

‘Knowledge of the poor and needy is not gained by pouring over books or in discussion with politicians, but by visiting the slums where they live, sitting by the bedside of the dying, feeling the cold they feel.’ [Frederick Ozanam, quoted in We are Vincentians]
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ [Matthew 25:40 NIV]

The Corrymeela

The Corrymeela is an organisation founded in the mid-1960s and based in Northern Ireland.

The work of the Corrymeela

The Corrymeela is committed to seeking peace and reconciliation.
Much of their work is on the sectarian divisions in Northern Ireland.
They are also committed to helping those who work for peace and reconciliation around the world.
- ‘We are people who wish to name our own complicity in the fractures that damage our society.’ [From a statement of identity of the Corrymeela community]

The work of the Corrymeela 2

They focus on dialogue between people of different beliefs and political and economic points of view.
They stress the value of praying together as a source of reconciliation.
They believe it's important to ask challenging questions and seek the truth.
They conduct residential gatherings.
They also work in schools, with families and in divided communities.

Views on the Corrymeela

The promotion of peace and reconciliation is believed to be essential to the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed.
- ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and he will be called Prince of Peace.’ [Isaiah 9:6 NIV]
The teaching is expressed in the Beatitudes, in the sermon on the Mount, when Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers…’ (Matthew 5:9). It has also been emphasised by many documents from the Catholic Church (e.g. Encyclicals and documents of the Second Vatican Council).

Views on the Corrymeela 2

This teaching is seen in a number of the themes of Catholic Social Teaching, including ‘the dignity of the human person’ and ‘solidarity’.
These teach the need to work for a peaceful society by promoting justice and the avoidance of war and conflict.
There are some people who argue that religion can be a source of conflict rather than a way to help prevent it.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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