Ever feel torn between caring for your parish community and reaching out to the world beyond? You’re not alone! This is a struggle many Catholic leaders face, especially as we try to live out Christ’s call to “make disciples of all nations.” At Burning Hearts Disciples, we’ve seen how powerful it is when parishes get the balance right—serving those already in the pews and reaching those who aren’t yet.

Pope St. John Paul II had it right when he said, “The Church’s fundamental function in every age…is to direct man’s gaze…toward the mystery of Christ” (Redemptor Hominis). This mission means we need both ministry (our “inward” care for our parish family) and mission (our “outward” effort to share Christ with the world). So, let’s dive into what this looks like practically.

Ministry: Caring for Our Parish Family

Ministry is often about caring for the spiritual, physical, and emotional health of the faithful within our parish. It’s about fostering discipleship, forming leaders, and building an environment where faith can thrive. Think of ministry as taking care of “home base.” It’s where we focus on strengthening and supporting our own parish members—helping them deepen their relationship with Christ, feel connected to the community, and grow as disciples. Ministry is about building a faith-filled environment so that when people walk through our doors, they find a home where their faith can thrive.

Pope St. John Paul II emphasizes the importance of maintaining

“Christian communities with adequate and solid ecclesial structures...fervent in their faith and in Christian living. They bear witness to the Gospel in their surroundings and have a sense of commitment to the universal mission. In these communities the Church carries out her activity and pastoral care.” (Redemptoris Missio, 33)

By strengthening the existing community, we ensure they are spiritually equipped for mission.

Just as a family cares for each other at home to better serve others, inward-focused ministry supports our members, forming a foundation of disciples who are prepared to engage in the Church’s outward mission.   So what does ministry look like day-to-day? Here are a few examples:

• Sacramental Preparation and Religious Education – Guiding members in the faith and providing foundational teachings. Whether it’s baptism classes, marriage prep, or RCIA, these programs lay a strong foundation for faith.
• Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction – Supporting parishioners through personal or spiritual challenges. Walking with people through their joys, sorrows, and questions brings them closer to Christ and strengthens the parish
• Programs for Youth, Families, and Specific Groups – Meeting the unique needs of diverse members, fostering a strong sense of belonging and purpose. Ministry to specific groups—like teens, young adults, and families—gives them a place to connect and grow in faith.

Inward-focused ministry is vital.  Ultimately, ministry builds up the community, equipping and encouraging people to be active disciples. A strong ministry is like the roots of a tree, helping the parish stay steady and thrive, even as we reach outward.

Mission:  Reaching Out to the World Beyond

While ministry strengthens those within the Church, missionary outreach is our response to Christ’s call to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Ministry strengthens our home base, but it’s mission that gets us moving outward. Missionary outreach is our response to Jesus’ call to share the Good News beyond the parish walls. Mission is more than just inviting people to church; it’s about meeting them where they are, building relationships, and inviting them to encounter Christ in a real way.

Pope St. John Paul II described this as “missionary activity,” urging us to prioritize bringing Christ to those who do not know him.

My direct contact with peoples who do not know Christ has convinced me even more of the urgency of missionary activity, a subject to which I am devoting the present encyclical. (Redemptoris Missio, 1)

A healthy parish recognizes the need to balance ministry with mission, directing efforts beyond itself to serve the greater community and to evangelize. Outward-focused mission can look like:

• Evangelization and Outreach Events – Inviting those outside the Church to experience the love of Christ.
• Social Justice Initiatives – Serving those in need through charitable works, addressing social and economic disparities.  From food drives to helping local families in need, mission also means serving others as Christ did.
• Building Relationships Beyond the Church – Engaging people of different beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences to foster understanding and dialogue.  Sometimes mission is simply engaging with people from different backgrounds and beliefs and showing them God’s love.

Reaching out may feel daunting, but mission is essential to a thriving Church. When we go beyond our comfort zone, we show others the love and hope we’ve found in Christ.

Two Kinds of Mission: "Near" and "Far" Evangelization

Now, here’s where it gets interesting! Mission isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sherry Weddell, in Forming Intentional Disciples, talks about the need for both “near” and “far” evangelization. This means meeting people where they are in their journey and tailoring our approach to them.

Far Evangelization

"Far evangelization" is usually what we think of when we consider outward-focused mission efforts.  This is for people with little to no connection to the Church, like atheists, agnostics, or those who identify as “nones.” They may not be ready for Mass or even curious about faith, but they might be open to a relationship with you. 

"These are the people for whom there is no bridge of trust to Catholicism, Christianity, or Jesus Christ in place. Building or re-building the bridge of trust is the first missionary task with this group which is done primarily through personal relationship outside the ecclesial structures." (Weddell) 

Our efforts here include personal relationships, encounters outside traditional church settings, and bridge-building initiatives that are invitational.  Far evangelization is about meeting people in ordinary places—workplaces, community events, social gatherings—and showing them Christ’s love in a way that’s genuine and patient.

Tip: Focus on building trust and understanding. You don’t have to “convert” anyone right away. Just let them experience God’s love through you.

Near Evangelization

This is about reaching those already somewhat connected to the Church—maybe they attend Mass occasionally or are involved in sacraments but don’t have a deep personal connection with Christ. Pope St. John Paul II described this group as “baptized but not evangelized.”

“groups of the baptized [who] have lost a living sense of the faith, or…live a life far removed from Christ and his Gospel” (Redemptoris Missio).

Near evangelization involves reaching out to parishioners and those loosely connected to the Church, inviting them to a deeper relationship with Christ through:

• • Personal Invitations to Explore the Faith – Welcoming those who may only know Christ as a historical figure to experience his living presence.
  • Helping Unbind Sacramental Graces – Engaging those who have gone through the “sacramental conveyor belt” to fully realize and activate the graces they’ve received.
  • Introducing the Healing Power of the Gospel – Offering support and guidance for those seeking wholeness and restoration through the Gospel.
  • Creating a Sense of Mission Beyond the Institution – Encouraging members to see the Church not as an institution but as a living, missionary community reflecting the love of the Trinity.

Tip: Offer these people a personal invitation to explore faith more deeply. Maybe they’ve been through the “sacramental conveyor belt” but haven’t experienced the life-changing power of the Gospel. Near evangelization is about reawakening that spark, helping them see the Church as a living, breathing community of disciples, not just an institution.

Both near and far evangelization serve the Church’s mission by fostering faith in different contexts, allowing us to reach people wherever they are in their journey.

Striking the Right Balance

Ministry and mission aren’t meant to compete—they complement each other! We care for our own community so they’re ready and inspired to go out and bring others in. When we strike that balance, our parish becomes a vibrant home for disciples and a beacon for those seeking something more.

It’s a bit like the story in Sister Act. The sisters have to grow in their own faith and unity before they’re able to reach out and transform their community. The story highlights that ministry and mission go hand in hand: without nurturing their own spirituality and community, their outreach wouldn’t have had the same impact. Once they’re strengthened as a community, they’re able to bring a fresh, vibrant spirit to the world outside their convent.

As you look at your own parish, here are some reflectoin and discussion qeustiosn to hlep you begin to explore your own balance of mission and ministry:

• How can we better identify and meet the needs of those within our parish who may feel disconnected or overlooked?
• What specific groups in our community could benefit from more dedicated outreach (e.g., young adults, seniors, families)? How can we tailor our ministry to meet their needs?
• Where do we see opportunities to build relationships with those outside our parish walls? Are there local events, organizations, or community groups where we could be more present?
• How can we empower and encourage parishioners to see themselves as missionaries in their daily lives? What practical steps can we take to help them feel equipped for this role?
• What are some ways we can make our parish a welcoming environment for newcomers? What first impressions might they have, and how can we ensure they feel at home?
• How are we actively inviting people to explore a deeper relationship with Christ, especially those who may only occasionally attend Mass?
• In what ways can we involve parishioners in outreach and evangelization, making it a natural part of parish life rather than an “extra” activity?
• Are there parish programs or activities that may need to be re-evaluated or re-focused to better support discipleship and growth?
• How can we foster a culture of listening, openness, and dialogue within our parish community, especially with those who may have questions or doubts about their faith?
• What role does prayer play in our approach to ministry and mission? How can we prioritize prayer as the foundation of all our efforts?
• What challenges do we face when trying to balance inward ministry and outward mission, and how might we address these as a parish community?
• How can we creatively use digital tools and social media to extend our reach beyond our physical parish community?

As Pope St. John Paul II reminds us, the Church must continuously “direct man’s gaze…toward the mystery of Christ.” 

At Burning Hearts Disciples, we’re here to walk alongside you as you work toward that balance, helping you inspire, guide, and empower your community to live out the Great Commission.  Together, let’s build a Church that’s deeply rooted and always reaching outward, bringing the love of Christ to everyone we encounter!

*  Forming Intentional Disciples Facebook Forum post October 6, 2018