“From ho-hum to awake, aware, and awesome.”
These words describe the transformation of the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Md., according to pastor Father Michael White and staff member Brian Crook. The 10-year reformation of the parish, from one with no youth ministry, an unpopular religious education program, and an aging community, to one with a vibrant, engaged community with thousands worshipping each week, is chronicled in Father White and Tom Corcoran’s recent book, “Rebuilt: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, and Making Church Matter.”
On May 1, Father White and Crook shared their story with priests, deacons, parish staff, and churchgoers in the Diocese of Camden at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Vineland.
Catholic churches must be “well-springs of vitality and spirit that energize (worshippers) to help them become more convincing witnesses in the community,“ urged Father White, emphasizing that parishes can “change people’s experience of the church so that our society is more and more transformed by Christ.”
After realizing that the Church of the Nativity was becoming one of “consumer demand,” where parishioners craved more and more of programs and activities that weren’t fulfilling them spiritually, and overworking the church staff, the parish leadership began visiting other churches that were successful, such as Saddleback Church in California and Willow Creek in Illinois.
Soon, it became evident to them that what churchgoers really need, and truly want, is a relationship with God.
“We have a responsibility to make disciples of the people in our parishes,” Crook said. “Disciples (who are) trying to grow and live more in Jesus Christ.”
Father White and Crook stressed the concepts of welcome (creating an “irresistible environment for people”), relevance (“a faith that connects to everyday lives), and relationship with God and fellow parishioners.
The Church of the Nativity has been successful, with establishing small group communities of prayer and reflection; a renewed focus on sermons and educating visitors; and making playrooms for children available during Mass.
In all of what the parish envisions, the leadership keeps in mind “Timonium Tim,” the non-churchgoer, lost and yearning for connection, who one Sunday might find the church and salvation.
Father George Seiter, pastor of Holy Eucharist in Cherry Hill, was among the enthusiastic crowd of 400 who attended the presentation.
“Parishes need to be in relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said, adding that he agreed with Father White and Crook’s belief in small group communities.
“Small groups are a wonderful way to have people connect with one another on a personal level and build up the life of the parish.”
Bishop Dennis Sullivan attended the presentation. “The more we build up the parish, the more we build up the church; the more we build up the church, we herald the Kingdom of God,” he said.
Written by Peter G. Sánchez for the May 9, 2014 Catholic Star Herald