The document discusses a vision for a new ministry called "Disciples of the Lamb, Apostles of the King" that focuses on both discipleship and the apostolate. It argues that formation programs should be based on Church teachings and focus on knowledge of faith, moral life, prayer, liturgy, community, and mission. The alternative proposed is a formation process that builds community and allows each person's vocation to blossom through personal mentoring relationships rather than traditional programs.

1. Disciples of the Lamb, Apostles of the King A Vision for Future Ministry

2. The Name The name of the ministry was prayerfully chosen Disciples of the Lamb, Apostles of the King Highlights two important phases of the Christian life We are all called to be disciples and apostles Even before that Each of us needs to be evangelized

3. The Name I need to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ And be baptized with the Holy Spirit No later stage of the Christian journey can replace the living encounter with Jesus Christ and the decision to follow him and live in his Kingdom. Once you have chosen Jesus and his Kingdom you are a disciple – his follower.

4. The Name Jesus is your Teacher and Master You choose to be formed by him and his Holy Spirit Discipleship is not an end in itself Stage of life that never ends: we are always being formed It is a preparation for something even more remarkable

5. The Name "The Christian vocation is, of its nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well." (The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity 2) Every baptized person is called to be an apostle Discipleship prepares us for the apostolate We also need training for our personal vocation

6. The Need Many dioceses have a some kind of a program of lay formation Usually it is based on the formation program of priests and deacons There is a lot that is good in these programs but something is also lacking . . . What is the alternative?

7. What is the alternative? A clear picture of the lay apostolate from Church documents and the ministry of the Catherine of Siena Institute Lay people are called to be apostles Their ministry is different from the ordained – so should their formation be Guidance from Church documents as to what lay formation should be

8. What is the alternative? Both the General Directory of Catechesis and Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us from the US Bishops mention six areas of formation: Knowledge of the Faith The Moral Life Liturgy Prayer Community Mission

9. What is the alternative? “ All of these tasks are necessary. As the vitality of the human body depends on the proper function of all of its organs, so also the maturation of the Christian life requires that it be cultivated in all its dimensions: knowledge of the faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, belonging to community, missionary spirit. When catechesis omits one of these elements, the Christian faith does not attain full development.” (General Directory for Catechesis, 87)

10. The Need What is needed is a formation process that builds on clear but general direction from the Church Is there a program available that meets this criteria? Pieces are available Called and Gifted Workshop Theology of the Body The Great Adventure Etc.

11. Ministry Principles Based on the Wisdom of God Many examples in the Acts of the Apostles Phillip is sent to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Ac 13:2-4) The Holy Spirit forbids preaching in two different locations – this is not human wisdom! (Ac 16:6-10) God is looking for those who will depend on him for direction for their ministry

12. Ministry Principles Ministry is not based on the usual models Needs Programs Events What did Jesus do? Called people personally Gave himself to particular leaders Formed a community

13. Ministry Principles Ministry is based on personal vocation Jesus called his disciples by name Pope John Paul II said that true renewal is based on the awareness of the individual Christian’s vocation and the “singular, unique and unrepeatable grace by which each Christian in the community of the People of God builds up the Body of Christ.” (The Redeemer of Man 21)

14. Ministry principles “ The fundamental objective of the formation of the lay faithful is an ever-clearer discovery of one's vocation and the ever-greater willingness to live it so as to fulfil one's mission.” (The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful 58) Ministry is relational Principle of 1, 3, 12, 72 . . . Jesus didn’t create a structure or leave a plan

15. Ministry Principles Jesus left us Peter, the eleven other Apostles, and other disciples “[The Church] has no rest so long as she has not done her best to proclaim the Good News of Jesus the Savior. She is always preparing new generations of apostles .” (Paul VI, Evangelization in the Modern World 53) How is this done? Christians are to disciple each other

16. Ministry Principles With this in mind Methodius of Olympo wrote: "Those not yet perfected are carried and formed by those more perfect, as in the womb of a mother, until the time they are generated and brought forth for the greatness and beauty of virtue"(217). This happened with Saint Paul, who was carried and brought forth in the Church by those who were perfected (in the person of Ananias) and, then Paul in his turn, became perfected and fruitful in bringing forth many children. (VMLF 61)

17. Ministry Principles Ministry flows out of community Can we be a ministry if we’re not first a community? Jesus tried to form the Apostles into a community The world will know Jesus sent us by our unity (Jn. 17:21) The Church of Acts is our model (Acts 2:42-47) To become a community requires intentional effort

19. The Steps Increasing the size of the Overseeing Committee Recruiting and Forming Shepherds Building and forming the committees for the 6 areas of formation Knowledge of the Faith The Moral Life Prayer Liturgy Community Mission

20. Schedule 7:25 Evaluation 7:35 Opening Prayer 7:40 Presentation of the Vision 8:30 Praise & Worship 8:45 Writing Time 8:55 Instruction on Small Group Sharing 9:00 Small Groups 9:15 Large Group Sharing