Episode 65: Helping People Share Their Faith

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Summary

Liz and Marianne from St. John Vianney parish share their story of how they help parishioners share their faith through the Faith Cafe. The Faith Cafe is a welcoming community where people can come together, share a meal, watch a video, and have discussions about their faith. The goal is to deepen their faith and create a sense of community. Liz and Marianne emphasize the importance of sharing faith from the heart, inviting others to share their stories, listening with an open heart and mind, and extending invitations to others. 

 

The Faith Cafe has helped create a more cohesive parish and has brought people back to the Church. The Faith Cafe is a program that encourages parishioners to gather and share their faith in an informal and welcoming environment. The key principles of the Faith Cafe include creating a safe space for sharing, focusing on personal experiences rather than trying to convert others, and listening with an open heart and mind. 

 

Practical tips for sharing faith include sharing the joy of one's relationship with God, being open to questions and exploration, and creating a sense of security and belonging. 

 

Common obstacles to sharing faith include fear of saying the wrong thing and fear of what others will think. Overcoming these obstacles involves sharing one's story and experiences in a joyful and non-threatening way. 

 

The impact of the Faith Cafe has been seen in increased Mass attendance and a sense of community and discipleship among participants. The success of the program is attributed to the combination of hospitality, engaging content, and small group discussions. 

 

Advice for other parishes interested in starting a similar program includes having a dedicated sponsor, marketing the program effectively, and creating an environment of food, fun, and fellowship.

Takeaways

• Faith must be shared from the heart and be personal
• Invite others to share their faith stories
• Listen with an open heart and mind to others' stories
• Extend invitations to create a sense of community
• The Faith Cafe has helped create a more cohesive parish and has brought people back to the Church Create a safe and welcoming space for sharing faith
• Focus on personal experiences and joy in one's relationship with God
• Listen with an open heart and mind
• Overcome obstacles by sharing stories and experiences
• The Faith Cafe can lead to increased mass attendance and a sense of community and discipleship
• Hospitality, engaging content, and small group discussions are key to the success of the program
• Have a dedicated sponsor, market the program effectively, and create an environment of food, fun, and fellowship

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Background

06:02 - Roles and Responsibilities within the Parish

09:13 - Overview of the Parish before Rebuild Coaching

11:30 - The Beginning of the Faith Cafe

18:16 - Structure and Logistics of the Faith Cafe

23:29 - Summary and Conclusion

25:11 - Sharing the Joy of One's Relationship with God

28:04 - Overcoming Obstacles to Sharing Faith

33:24 - The Impact of the Faith Cafe: Increased Mass Attendance and Community

37:14 - The Key Elements of a Successful Faith Cafe

46:33 - Advice for Starting a Similar Program: Sponsorship, Marketing, and Fellowship

 

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