I have been making it a point to attend Mass more regularly during the week and making Sunday a non-negotiable! I feel there have been more young people and families at our Mass and hope it continues!
I read a study years ago when I was Lutheran that showed the effectiveness of certain activities for encouraging new church membership and retention. Can't remember the percentages, but sending a welcoming basket was pretty ineffective. A visit from the pastor was a little better, but still weak. What blew the curve was *a visit from regular laymembers*. Go and do likewise I say.
Very well said! When I was a Protestant, it was easy to stick with my local community. After converting, I constantly battled with the temptation of chasing the next best liturgy, the next best people, whatever that is. After all, it’s the same Mass anyway all around the world, right, and it doesn’t matter if I go parish-hopping, right? Then I quickly realized the spirit of evangelism won’t take root unless we root ourselves in our local parish and be the change we want to see.
I have been making it a point to attend Mass more regularly during the week and making Sunday a non-negotiable! I feel there have been more young people and families at our Mass and hope it continues!
I read a study years ago when I was Lutheran that showed the effectiveness of certain activities for encouraging new church membership and retention. Can't remember the percentages, but sending a welcoming basket was pretty ineffective. A visit from the pastor was a little better, but still weak. What blew the curve was *a visit from regular laymembers*. Go and do likewise I say.
Very well said! When I was a Protestant, it was easy to stick with my local community. After converting, I constantly battled with the temptation of chasing the next best liturgy, the next best people, whatever that is. After all, it’s the same Mass anyway all around the world, right, and it doesn’t matter if I go parish-hopping, right? Then I quickly realized the spirit of evangelism won’t take root unless we root ourselves in our local parish and be the change we want to see.