“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it’s because they are witnesses.” -St. Pope Paul VI (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 41)
I love this quote! The question I often ask pastoral leaders is simple: Are our parishes full of teachers, or are they full of witnesses?
When I speak on this topic, I often use the image of a courtroom judge trying a case. The judge is trying to uncover the truth of a situation. The people invited to take the stand are called witnesses because they actually saw what happened and can attest to the truth firsthand.
Imagine if the judge called someone to testify who wasn’t actually there. What would that person say?
“Well, I heard from my aunt, who heard from my cousin, who talked to a friend who happened to read in a blog post that this is what actually happened.”
The judge would immediately dismiss them and label their testimony as hearsay (or heresy).
So, what happens in our parish faith formation programs? Are our leaders and catechists simply teaching the faith, or are they witnessing to the faith?
There are certainly times when we need to teach the content of our faith. But more importantly, we need to witness to it.
When I lead catechist training, I often ask: What is the single most important thing you need to know to be an effective catechist?
The answer is simple: Your story.
I can teach you everything else. I can teach you the Ten Commandments, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the theology of the sacraments. What I cannot teach you is your personal story of faith and conversion. At the end of the day, your story is what people need to hear most.
Why do you take your faith so seriously? Why are you serving as a catechist or a pastoral leader? Why do you want your own children to receive the sacraments?
I’ll tell you why: because you are crazy enough to let God touch your heart. You have had an experience of faith so transformative that it compelled you to say “yes”—just like Mary did when the Angel Gabriel brought her the Good News.
That is why we do what we do for the Church. And I guarantee that the people you serve need to hear your living story of faith far more than they need a lecture on doctrine.
What is your story of conversion? Why did you say yes? Why are you crazy enough to be a leader in the Church today?
You and I need to get really good at sharing our faith stories. That is what it means to be a witness. It does more to evangelize others than any head knowledge we could ever teach them.
Share your story—and share it well! That is what makes you a true witness to the faith today.
Question: What’s your story?
