The document discusses ways to build an engaged parish community. It identifies three levels of engagement among parishioners: engaged, not engaged, and actively disengaged. The engaged make up 16% and are deeply committed psychologically and spiritually to the parish through activities like inviting others and volunteering. The not engaged attend but lack strong connection, while the actively disengaged rarely attend and oppose the parish. The document advocates moving parishioners along four steps: addressing what they get out of membership, what they can contribute, developing a sense of belonging, and participating in the parish mission. This helps foster an engaged community.

1. Building the Engaging,
Welcoming Parish

2. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
What are your hopes and dreams for your parish?

3. Invite!
Thank!
Serve!
Give
Pray !
Forgive!
Live Faith!
Find Meaning!
Take a Stand!
Find Inner Peace!
Speak Words of Kindness
Believe!!
What does an engaged community look like?
People…
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

4. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
Engaged Parishioners
Engagement is a deep emotional and
psychological connection to the parish
More likely to be more
spiritually committed.
More likely to invite friends,
family and coworkers to parish
events.
Giving significantly
more in both time and
talent.
People who are engaged are vastly more likely to be:
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

5. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
Not Engaged Parishioners
Attend regularly but are not
psychologically connected to their
parish family.
Less likely to invite friends More likely to leave Less likely to give &
volunteer
People who are not engaged are vastly:
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

6. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
Actively Disengaged Parishioners
Two Groups
Mostly Absent Consistently Against Virtually Everything
▪ Physically present; psychologically absent
▪ Insist on sharing their unhappiness with
EVERYONE.
The Flower
People
C.A.V.E. Dwellers
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

7. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
Engagement in the Catholic Church Today
Engaged
16%
Not Engaged
49%
Actively
Disengaged
35%
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

8. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
Engagement reflects a sense of Belonging
NOT BELONGING
How has belonging made a difference in your life?
BELONGING

9. !
They devoted themselves
to the apostles’ teaching
and to fellowship, to the
breaking of bread
and the prayers.
-Acts 2:42ff
The Fellowship of the Believers

10. What Do I Get?
What Do I Give?
Do I Belong?
How
Can We
Grow?
How? Key Questions we ask…
First step:
Expectations &
Materials
Second step:
Making a
contribution
Third step:
Being part of the
community
Fourth step:
Mission!
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

11. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
First Step: What do I Get?
“As a member of my parish, I
know what is expected of me”
✝ Meeting Needs
First step:
What Do I Get?
What Do I Give?
Do I Belong?
How Can I Grow?
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

12. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
First Step: What do I Get?
“In my parish, my spiritual needs
are met.”
✝ Meeting Needs
First step:
What Do I Get?
What Do I Give?
Do I Belong?
How Can I Grow?
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

13. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
1. Participation in
Mass
2. Daily Prayer
3. Belonging to my
Parish
Highlights from an International Focus Group
What helps you
grow spiritually?
What helps you find
meaning or purpose in
life?
For faith that needs
strengthening, you
would participate in:
▪ Good friends who
share faith with me
▪ Holiday/Holy Day
Traditions
1. Family
2. Faith
3. Friends
1. A faith mentor
2. Parish gatherings
to explore spiritual
life
▪ Reaching out to others
▪ My parish

14. ©Catholic Life and Faith. All rights reserved.
Second Step: What do I Give?
“In my parish, I regularly have the
opportunity to do what I do best.”
What Do I Get?
What Do I Give?
Do I Belong?
How Can I Grow?
Second step:
✝ Making a
contribution
Source: “Growing an Engaged Church”, Albert Winseman 2006

15. ©Catholic Life and Faith All rights reserved.
What Are You Thinking?
What are your initial
thoughts?
!
What one thing stands
out as something that
likely contributes to
engagement in your
parish now?
!
How might you build on
that for the future?