Historically, missionary discipleship has always been a significant part of the work of the Church and today, especially, it is fundamental to evangelizing the faith throughout South Jersey.
Now, the 62 parishes across the Diocese of Camden have a significant opportunity, through a partnership with the Catholic Leadership Institute, to further these efforts to answer the Great Commission.
As you have likely heard over the last month, each parish is about to conduct the Disciple Maker Index survey. This tool, which has been completely funded through a grant, will assess each parish’s greatest opportunities and strengths in order to growth the faith of its parishioners. This process: invites parishioners to reflect on their individual journey of discipleship; enables parish leadership to make data-driven decisions to make pastoral plans; and ultimately helps parishioners grow in their own unique faith journey.
The DMI survey goes live July 30, with links to the survey distributed by each individual parish. The 15-minute survey will ask you to reflect on your own spiritual growth and enable you to provide your perspective on your parish’s efforts to help you grow in relationship with Christ.
All responses will be confidential, and the parish will only receive information about its community. Your parish survey link will be shared with you, by your parish, closer to the launch of the survey. Paper surveys will also be available for those who do not have the ability to complete the survey online. Return completed paper surveys to your parish office before the end of August.
All parishioners are encouraged to participate, as the results will serve to strengthen the parish and better prepare the Diocese to create a culture of missionary discipleship – sharing the Gospel with those in our regions who need to hear it.
Much like voting, if you don’t participate and offer honest answers to the questions, the parish won’t be able to improve on what it offers both parishioners and the public at large. Please take this survey and ensure your voice is heard to help lead the way to building the kingdom.
When the survey is complete and the results analyzed, a comprehensive report of the findings will be shared with parishioners, likely in the fourth quarter of this year.
The survey outcomes will help chart the direction to till the soil in the vineyard so all may be sowers.
Donna Ottaviano-Britt is director of the Office of Discipleship and Leadership and Secretariat for Pastoral Outreach for the Diocese of Camden.
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