(No flashing sign or soapbox required!)

“Evangelization means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. At its essence are the proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ and the response of a person in faith, which are both works of the Spirit of God.” Evangelii Nuntiandi, 22.

There may not be a word used in Catholic church circles that is more misunderstood than evangelization. Plenty of people use different words: outreach, sharing the gospel, witnessing, missionary discipleship…and while I’m fine with lots of different words shaping the discourse, I don’t think avoiding the word evangelization is wise. It’s important, it’s traditional, it’s beautiful, and for crying out loud, it has the word “angel” in it. How scary can this be?

Without further ado, I offer: the top ten things Catholics get WRONG about evangelization.

1. Misconception #1 is that evangelization is indoctrination. Evangelization is NOT forced conversion–which would always be wrong. Sometimes people say “evangelization is pushy. I don’t want to push my faith on them.” Evangelization is pushy only if you push. Invitations are not pushy in themselves. Being a witness is not pushy. Sometimes we make up boundaries that don’t exist and convince ourselves we’re crossing one.
2. Misconception #2? Evangelization is optional. Evangelization is not optional…it is a baptismal call. The last words of our Lord to us are “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Call me crazy, but that sounds like a command to me. Absolutely not optional–instead, it’s the leading mission of the faith. It puts the move in movement.
3. Misconception #3: Evangelization can be added on top of what we do already. A new department, an additional program? Well, you have to start somewhere. But adding a cherry on top of a sundae is not the image you want here. Evangelization needs to be foundational and central–like the ice cream in the sundae!. It is not one thing among others; evangelization is our core.
4. Misconception #4 is that evangelization is hard. Everyone thinks it will be hard. Trust me, it isn’t that hard. Apologetics can be challenging and require considerable learning, but most evangelization doesn’t involve apologetics. Most evangelization requires being a person of character, sharing your faith when appropriate, and inviting people to come along and see. Seriously, replace God with a movie, and you see this is “work” we do all the time without a blink. 
5. The fifth is that evangelization requires extensive training. Since we haven’t had many elders model evangelization for us, there is value seeing how it is done and practicing together. But this doesn’t need to be extensive. The basics can be modeled and practiced in one day. This is an “on the job” kind of training at its best.
6. Misconception #6? Evangelization is for a select few. Nope. The baptized, all of us. Some may have a particular call to “far evangelization”–overseas, or a population that is typically “out of reach”–but everyone is called to lead someone (a family member, a friend, a co-worker) to come and see the Lord is good.
7. Misconception #7: Evangelization isn’t Catholic. If this were true, Peter, Paul, the apostles, St. Ignatius, St. Francis Xavier, St. Boniface, St. Patrick, St. Francis, St. Katherine Drexel, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Philip Neri, Pope St. John Paul II, Bl. Pier Georgio Frassati, and Bl. Carlo Acutis, and about a million religious sisters aren’t Catholic.
8. Misconception #8….Evangelization will make you weird. Actually, not sharing out the goodness of God with others who need to hear some good news is weird. Sorry. If evangelization makes you weird, maybe normal isn’t natural.
9. Misconception #9? Evangelization is the “kale” of Christianity. As in, good for you but tastes disgusting? The biggest surprise to me when I began evangelizing was just how life-giving it was–as in, there was an actual joy and thrill just behind the nervousness. Evangelization actually feels really, really great! Evangelization is one of the best gifts that God gives us and tells us to open. We convince ourselves otherwise. (ps. evangelization is better than kale, in my humble opinion.)
10. Misconception #10 is that evangelization can be ignored. Can be? Sure. Should be? No way. Why do want people we know who need joy and goodness in their lives to live in ignorance? Why do we refuse to be carriers of God’s mercy and love? When evangelization is ignored, we become the first people in the Good Samaritan parable, passing by the man bleeding on the side of the road. We can stop, attend, listen, and offer to lead people to meet Jesus. The worst they could say is no. 

Recognize any of these misconceptions in your own thinking?

The good news is: it’s never too late to begin. Check out this website and see what strikes you as your next best step to the sharing the joy of the gospel in a way appropriate to your state in life and your community.