Against the Charge of Evangelical "Emotionalism"

Catholic culture leans heavily towards traditionally left-brain traits that value fact, analysis, and structure. By contrast, large segments of the Evangelical world that have embraced more right-brain, relational approaches to ministry are seeing significantly better results in the areas of evangelism and discipleship. Despite the evidence, many Catholics remain resistant to the idea of adopting Evangelical approaches or learning from their methods.

When Theology Gets in the Way

Imagine with me a website designer who is courting a potential client. The web designer possesses a certain technical knowledge that allows him to deliver a product, but it would be counterproductive for him to talk about the specifics of CSS or Java coding with his unknowledgeable client. Instead the web designer will discuss how the website will engage with customers better, will be easier to navigate, the potential new audiences reached, and other benefits associated with the new design. His sales pitch, to be effective, must concentrate more on the experiential side of things.

Evangelization, TheologyJim SchusterSeptember 6, 2014evangelization, experience, personal relationship, page 2

Less Explaining, More Exploring

As St. John recounts his first meeting with Jesus, it is a day he remembers right down to the very hour it happened ("four in the afternoon"). John the Baptist had just pointed out Jesus as the "Lamb of God." St. John and Andrew approach Jesus and ask him, "Rabbi, where are you staying?" The scene could have ended very quickly if Jesus had said, "I'm heading over to Galilee," and left it at that. But instead, Jesus said, "Come and see," and invited Andrew and John into the adventure of a lifetime.

Evangelization, Revival CultureJim SchusterAugust 23, 2014encounter, experience, faith, risk, spiritual gifts, page 2

A New "Religion"?

Most of us are probably familiar with the popular and somewhat new self-identification many people embrace in calling themselves "spiritual but not religious." This was originally a term primarily used by those who had disassociated with traditional organized religions in favor of a personal privatized spirituality. But in recent years it seems that a great many Christians have embraced the "not religious" designation as an important part of how they view their own experience of Christianity.