A Community of Disciples

Des Robertson

Building a better parish isn't about working harder. It's about working the way Jesus does, and he has given us the perfect parish model: his twelve disciples. In this important and inspiring book, Des Robertson shows why that model is so important in our modern, consumer-driven society, and how parishes can indeed build modern communities of active, loving disciples who are fully engaged in the life of the Church.

Whether your parish is large or small, you'll get wisdom and practical advice here for reaching this significant goal and for making the changes that enhance it, including the following:

• Reviving and transforming your priests' roles from "service providers" to active leaders who "exhort, enable, and support…the Eucharistic life, a life in Christ."
  
• Engaging people "right where they are" to respond to the Holy Spirit's call to discipleship.
  
• Giving your parish a more relevant role in your community as a path toward evangelization and catechesis.
  
• Gaining tools for assessing and transforming the five "Pastoral Purposes of Parish Life": worship, wisdom, welcome, welfare, and Word.
  
• Developing and sustaining small family and ministry groups.