Vibrant parishes are life-giving communities that foster holiness and discipleship among their members, joyfully desiring to share the gift of faith in Jesus Christ with those they encounter. Understanding each person is uniquely called and gifted, vibrant parishes help form and equip them to live that call. They know people are searching for a deeper spiritual connection in their lives, where their hopes, joys and anxieties can be expressed, and they embrace new opportunities for service.
When we think about the Vibrant Parish, we imagine here an infinite loop, or continual flow, of different things, all coming from and returning back to the very heart of our faith: worship.
The five characteristics depicted above—worship, evangelisation, fellowship, formation, and service—have not been chosen at random. They are the five things displayed in the Acts of the Apostles when we hear about the life of the earliest Christian communities.
‘These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. And everyone was filled with awe; many signs and miracles were done through the apostles. And all the believers were united and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and divided the proceeds to all according to what each one needed. Each day, with one heart, they went faithfully to the Temple but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they ate their share of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and approved by all the people. Day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.’ (Acts 2:42-47).
Worship. Fellowship. Formation. Service. Evangelisation.
As characteristics or qualities of a community, they are not pillars in a rigid structure. Worship forms the very heart of parish vibrancy, and the other four move around it in an infinite loop, indicating that these are actually a journey of constant growth in Christian discipleship—in encountering Christ, engaging in the life of faith, and embarking on mission.
When intentionally nurtured by the community, these contribute to a healthy and life-giving parish striving to support their people at every stage of the discipleship journey.
