2017 USCCB Convocation Participants Guidebook and Journal | Page 31

The Call to Missionary Discipleship
• Leaders actively seek out the lost, like the shepherd who
left the ninety-nine and went in search of the lost sheep
(Mt 18:12-14, Lk 15:3-7). They go out to those who
are hurting and wounded and bring them “home” to
the Church.
• Leaders are well-formed for the work of ministry: pasto-
rally, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and culturally,
among other areas. 33
o Pastorally, they speak the language of the faith in a
manner their audience can understand in order to
engage them.
o They are emotionally mature, demonstrating the
capacity to listen and understand different per-
spectives, form relationships, mentor others, and
collaborate on a team. They have habits of com-
passion and empathy.
o They have a solid intellectual understanding of
Scripture and the Church’s teaching in order to
proclaim the Gospel (kerygma), as well as knowl-
edge of other disciplines that are necessary for
their work.
o Spiritually, they have a prayer life that is founda-
tional to their work, regularly participating in the
sacraments and the life of the Church.
o They are interculturally competent, with the
attitudes and skills necessary to engage well with
people from all cultural families and backgrounds.
In addition to these personal qualities, missionary disciples follow
a four-step journey as leaders: encounter, accompany, community,
and send. 34
• Leaders can regularly reflect deeply on their own expe-
rience of encounter with Jesus Christ through prayer, the
sacraments, adoration, Scripture, works of mercy, their
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