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New book outlines challenges and path forward for the Church

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Catholics should embrace the ‘EASTeR’ strategy for change – be entrepreneurial, accountable, serve, transform and reach out – in order to revitalise the Church, according to a new book by bestselling American author Chris Lowney.

A former Jesuit seminarian and business executive who now chairs the board of Catholic Health Initiatives based in Colorado, Lowney outlines the challenges and potential path forward in his latest offering, Everyone Leads: How to Revitalize the Catholic Church.

He suggests the ‘EASTeR’ strategy of five transformational principles can bring about profound change in every parish, in how bishops think and in the roles lay people play in leading the Church.

Filled with real-life examples, the book outlines strategies that anyone can employ—from the pews to the pulpit—to strengthen the Church.

However as Lowney explains, the book doesn’t focus on coming up with completely new ideas, but rather mixes today’s world with the founding roots of Christianity.

“Many aspects are so simple, so basic, any one person, any parish, could implement them next week with no money or planning,” he said.

“Things like, do we stand in the back of the church and welcome people, if we see someone sitting next to us who is new do we say ‘nice to meet you’, does the pastor say ‘oh you are welcome, that you are a newcomer! Here is some information to learn more’.

“Everyone in the Church must feel co-responsible, and this is a very strong idea. To be co-responsible for something means yes, I own this, somehow I have to care if this succeeds, somehow I have to be involved in its success, and not just watching.”

 

Everyone Leads: How to Revitalize the Catholic Church is available from Pauline Books and Media, paulinebooks.com.au

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