Becoming Missionary Disciples
Archbishop Julian Porteous
Paperback, 150 pages, $24.95
ISBN 9781922815460
Archbishop Julian Porteous is well known in Australia as a great
promoter of evangelisation within the Catholic Tradition. His most
recent contribution is a helpful handbook on this vital topic: “Becoming
Missionary Disciples”. It expands upon three panoramic topics – “the
heart, head and hands” of missionary discipleship. It includes helpful
questions that the reader or groups can use for further personal
reflections. Archbishop Porteous reflects upon key scriptural texts on
missionary discipleship. This is complemented by showcasing Australians
and their personal testimonies of encountering Jesus. Then there is the
journey to deeper discipleship within the Catholic Church. Locating the
particular mission the Holy Spirit offers all is explained. Archbishop
Porteous has a humble and conversational tone throughout the
foundational subjects considered. His topics not only relate to
evangelisation but also evangelise in the reading. This book is ideal
for both personal and group use.
Archbishop Christopher Prowse
Chair, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry.
Archbishop Porteous has long been a leader among the world’s bishops
in understanding and communicating the importance of evangelization. In
his new book he very clearly communicates the content and motivation of
evangelization and also provides very helpful spiritual and practical
guidance about how to actually go about it! This is a very helpful book
for anyone interested in our Church’s call to participate in the mission
of Jesus – and we all should be interested!
Ralph Martin S.T.D.
Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Archdiocese of Detroit
This new book from Archbishop Porteous offers a helpful, simple
explanation of what it means to be an intentional missionary disciple. I
recommend it to any Catholic who wants to deepen in personal
conversion, and grow in the knowledge and techniques of bringing the
good news of Jesus to our contemporaries.
Fr Ken Barker MGL
Founder, Missionaries of God’s Love
Archbishop Julian on page 3 of his new book, “Becoming a Missionary
Disciple” quotes Pope Paul the VI from his book Evangelli Nuntiandi -
“The Church exists in order to Evangelise.” I spontaneously said out
aloud— “How?” The author then sets out methodically and practically a
How to become a Missionary Disciple, (Evangelist). In an age where there
is a How to book for absolutely everything, this little book or should I
say manual is refreshingly practical and immanently valuable. Even to
setting the chapters out in modules and including, a comprehensive how
to prepare your testimony. Thankyou + Julian you have done a great
service for the Church.
Robert Falzon
Co-founder, MenAlive
Archbishop Julian Porteous has packaged here a fresh, simple and yet
powerful handbook for becoming missionary disciples of Jesus. Faithful
to the content of the Tradition yet at the same time applying creativity
for, sensitivity to, and penetrating insight into the contemporary
cultural landscape, he brings Scripture alive and shares personal
stories in what is a spiritual manual, a "practical how-to-evangelise"
and a rich source of sayings from the most recent popes all rolled into
one. I know I'll be buying many copies to share with friends, young
people, priests and anyone interested in how to be a Spirit-filled
Catholic!
Steve Lawrence
Founder and CEO, Altum Leadership Group
Leader Emmanuel Catholic Community, Melbourne
This short book puts in written form a series of presentations given
in 2022 to Catholics across Tasmania. The “Evangelium Project” was a
series of three modules of five sessions given at the Cathedral Centre
in Hobart and live-streamed to 23 hubs across Tasmania. Some 250 people
were engaged in the program. The purpose of the project was to assist
ordinary Catholics in responding to the call of Pope Francis to become
“missionary disciples”.
The series was broken into three separate modules titled ‘‘heart”,
‘‘head” and ‘‘hands”. We firstly explored the conversion experience
which results from an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth. Then we explored
our identity as believers. Finally, we explored some simple ways in
which the average Catholic can become active as a missionary disciple.
The series was presented as a spiritual journey rather than a series
of informational talks. Thus, each session began with a period of prayer
including the singing of hymns. At the end of each session a question
for personal reflection was presented. Those participating were
encouraged to reflect on the question and then share in a small group. I
would recommend that this book be used as a spiritual journey, and so
encourage prayer and reflection to accompany its use.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Module One – Heart: Encountering the Lord
1 The God who calls
2 Encounter with Jesus
3 The experience of healing
4 Bringing about conversion
5 Encountering the glory of the Lord
Module Two – Head: Our Identity as Christians
6 The Four Truths
7 Christ saves you
8 Jesus is alive
9 Empowered by the Spirit
10 Being a disciple
Module Three – Hands: Witnessing to Jesus
11 Becoming missionary disciples
12 Witnessing to our faith
13 How to give your testimony
14 Praying with a person
15 We have a treasure
About the Author
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