The USCCB has outlined a four step methodology for helping people to grow on their discipleship journey. This Encounter, Accompaniment, Community, Mission methodology is outlined in the USCCB document Living as Missionary Disciples: A Resource for Evangelization. While not exhaustive, this resource includes some good reflections on each of the four areas of evangelization methodology.
We have provided some excerpts from the USCCB, some of our own reflections, and additional resources that can help outline what these moments on the discipleship journey might look like - both in your personal life and your parish. Just click on the (+) under each movement.
Encounter
All Christians are invited to a “renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 9).
Accompaniment
The Church will have to initiate everyone—priests, religious and laity—into this ‘art of accompaniment’ which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other” (cf. Ex 3:5).
Community
“The faithful are fed by Christ's holy body and blood to grow in the communion of the Holy Spirit (koinonia) and to communicate it to the world.” (CCC, 948).
Mission
"Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.” Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14
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Encounter
All Christians are invited to a “renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 9). -
Accompaniment
The Church will have to initiate everyone—priests, religious and laity—into this ‘art of accompaniment’ which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other” (cf. Ex 3:5). -
Community
“The faithful are fed by Christ's holy body and blood to grow in the communion of the Holy Spirit (koinonia) and to communicate it to the world.” (CCC, 948). -
Mission
"Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.” Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14