EVANGELII GAUDIUM: Evangelism marked by Joy

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION 
EVANGELII GAUDIUM 
OF THE HOLY FATHER 
FRANCIS
    
 TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY,
CONSECRATED PERSONS 
AND THE LAY FAITHFUL 
ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
 IN TODAY’S WORLD

In a 2013 apostolic exhortation titled Evangelii Gaudium “the Joy of the Gospel” Pope Francis presents  to the church a kind of evangelism that promotes a "a sound decentralization", it recognizes both the need to contextualize evangelism as well as the true scope of the topic.  He writes, "I have chosen not to explore these many questions which call for further study.  Nor do I believe that the papal magisterium should be expected to offer a definitive or complete word on every questions which affects the church and the world  It is not advisable for the Pope to take the place of local Bishops in the discernment of every issue which arises in their territories." 

What Pope Francis does offer however are guidelines and direction on a wide ranging scale dealing with evangelism, mission and the gospel in the context of the church in the world.  In the United States it is my opinion that evangelism, especially in evangelical protestant denominations, has suffered from a narrow, individualistic, and personal approach.  Often characterized by asking new converts to "pray the sinners prayer" and ask Jesus into their hearts.  Separated from baptism or discipleship in the church, this kind of evangelism is plagued by a kind of reductionism that leads both to spiritual disillusionment and false teaching.  This document offers a much needed corrective.  Acknowledging the need for a renewed personal encounter with Jesus, the Pope frames this within a greater context.  Pope Francis begins by noting that in a culture of consumerism and self interest, people tend to dismiss both the poor and God.  The result of living in a consumer driven culture is a self interest that runs counter to the love of God.  Yet evangelism holds out the hope of forgiveness and restoration in God, taking us away from our self centeredness and to a God-centeredness.  This has implications for the church as much as for those outside the church.  Furthermore, this evangelism should flow out of the joy of the gospel.  On this invitation the Pope invites the faithful to embark on a new chapter of evangelism marked by joy.  

Quoting Benedict XVI he also notes that, "Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction."  Our joy stems from the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ (Introduction I:7).  Evangelism is also anchored in God's covenant, God's initiative in loving us first, and the Eucharist in "grateful remembrance."  It encompasses the call for both the believer and the unbeliever, for the converted and unconverted.  What protestants tend to call "discipleship", Francis refers to the demands of baptism.  Quoting the Second Vatican council, "Christ summons the church as she goes on her pilgrim way…to that continued reformation of which she always has need in so far as she is a human institution here on earth."  The Pope focuses on reform in the church, pastoral ministry, homilies, the poor, peace and dialogue, and spiritual motivations in mission.  This is a document that Christians interested in evangelism, mission and the church should carefully read and studied.  When too often evangelism in the popular culture of the United States has reduced it to simply praying a "sinner's prayer" or focusing on the afterlife, this documents reflects the historical emphasis of the church in a salvation that is both corporate and personal, that has an impact both in this life and the next.  

Click here for document "Evangelii Gaudium"