“A parish is probably the most important organization in society — it is where most people come to know Christ and his Church. That is why every parish must strive to be amazing.”
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That is the guiding principle behind the Amazing Parish movement.
Started just over a year ago, the movement is picking up steam to bring parishes together to build communities of the faithful. Although it is designed for Catholic parishes, the principles would largely translate to any denomination.
There are seven traits that are necessary for an “amazing parish.” Three of them make up the foundation of a church (reliance on prayer, a real leadership team, and a clear vision). Of the other four, churches are encouraged to pick one and go for it (an awesome Sunday experience, compelling formation, small group discipleship, and missionary zeal).
The onus for an amazing parish isn’t just on the church staff itself. “The laity have to step up” Pat Leniconi, a founder of Amazing Parish told Catholic News Agency.
Next month, Amazing Parish will hold its first conference, which sold out by word of mouth before it was even advertised. 115 parishes from across the country will be meeting in Denver to take part in making their parishes Amazing.
As parishes across the country close or merge, increasing numbers of Christians are turning to online or televised forms of worship. The number of Catholics in America simply isn’t growing.
That is a problem for all of us, because it is the church community which does so many good works, both small and large, around the country. Faith is a cornerstone of so many charitable endeavors, and those are fostered and supported by strong parishes.
Amazing Parish aims to boost those parishes that are struggling and to make the ones that are already amazing even more so.