LINCOLN (SNR) – St. Michael Parish in Lincoln gathered leaders and parishioners for a “Summit 72” to launch their strategic plan.
The group discussed and discerned how to bring to life the mission statement of the parish: “To courageously advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of His Church.”
The parish will move toward fulfilling its mission by building trust with those in their community, by facilitating occasions to encounter Jesus in Word and Sacrament, and through forming and preparing disciples for mission.
“It was a great kick-off,” said attendee Cindy Schilmoeller, “a wonderful way to connect with other parishioners.”
Pastor Father Kenneth Borowiak read the story of Jesus sending out the 72 disciples in the Gospel of Luke, and shared his experiences and ideas of how parishioners can evangelize or “advance the Gospel.”
“It can be something as simple as having a conversation with your neighbor, taking time to invite a friend for coffee, or greeting the person sitting next to you at Mass,” he said.
“It’s all about relationships,” said Dr. Joy Martin, director of discipleship formation at St. Michael Parish. “God wants us to know how much we are loved, and we are made for a relationship with Him.”
Dr. Martin provided context for the group by giving a short teaching on the kerygma (“proclamation”), and “thresholds of conversion.”
She said the Lord’s goal for all people is conversion, moving from a person with no relationship with the Lord at all, to a committed disciple who goes out on mission to make other disciples.
Summit 72 closed with a call for each person in the group to “courageously advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of His Church,” and to pray about how the Lord might be encouraging them to grow as a mission-oriented disciple.
