Diocese of/de Pembroke

(Image: The Lost Sheep by Robert T Barrett | Altus Fine Art)

From the Heart of the Church springs forth a twofold vision: first, to see and believe in God’s universal desire for the salvation of all humanity and second, to recognize and activate every baptized believer as a missionary disciple. These two pillars form the foundation of a missionary church.

God’s Universal Salvific Will

The Bible presents unequivocally that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). From the creation narrative in Genesis to the final vision of Revelation, Scripture reveals a God who is not passive or exclusive but actively reaching out to all nations and peoples. Jesus Himself declares, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). His saving mission is universal.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) echoes this truth: “By his death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has opened for all the way to eternal life” (CCC 1026). The Second Vatican Council emphasized this universality with renewed urgency, particularly in Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes. Therefore, Church leaders must not limit their vision to those already in the pews but must actively seek the lost, as Christ the Good Shepherd does (Luke 15:4-7).

Every Christian Sent

The Church is not merely a refuge for the faithful; it is, in its very essence, missionary. Pope Francis states in Evangelii Gaudium §20: “The Church’s missionary action is the paradigm for all her work.” Vatican II’s Ad Gentes §2 likewise declares: “The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature.”

This missionary identity is not reserved for clergy and religious alone. Through Baptism and Confirmation, every Christian is called to participate in the Church’s mission. 

Saint John Paul II, in Redemptoris Missio §71, insists: “All the laity are missionaries by virtue of their Baptism.” This conviction transforms how church leaders should perceive their flock—not as passive consumers of religious services but as active agents of evangelization. Each parishioner, each member of the Body of Christ, is meant to be a missionary in family, workplace, and society.

Growing Churches: Learning from Contemporary Examples

In various parts of the world, churches experiencing sustained growth consistently demonstrate two common characteristics: they focus on God’s universal desire for salvation and they empower all believers as missionaries.

For instance, research from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity shows that rapidly growing Christian communities, whether Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox, invest significantly in small group discipleship, lay leadership development, and evangelistic outreach. These communities mirror the apostolic Church described in Acts: “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

Implications for Church Leaders Today

For bishops, priests, and other church leaders, these truths call not only theoretical assent but practical implementation. Seeing God’s desire to save all means moving beyond pastoral maintenance to active mission. Empowering all Christians as missionaries requires the following:

• Preaching that constantly reminds the faithful of their missionary calling (cf. Evangelii Gaudium §120).
• Structuring parish life around evangelization and disciple-making, not merely sacramental administration.
• Prioritizing the formation of lay leaders through catechesis, mentoring, and delegation of real responsibility.
• Ensuring that all pastoral programs—youth ministry, liturgy, social outreach—have an evangelizing orientation.
• Developing outreach programs dedicated to sharing the Gospel with individuals unfamiliar with or distant from Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI’s reminder is particularly apt here: “The Church does not grow by proselytizing but by attraction” (Deus Caritas Est §1). Yet attraction happens only when the Church’s members live and witness to the saving love of God in every sphere of life.

Conclusion: A Call to Renewed Vision and Action

In sum, church leaders must continually cultivate two intertwined visions: seeing with the eyes of Christ the boundless scope of God’s mercy and recognizing in every believer the potential to be an agent of that mercy. The urgency of this mission is not less today but greater, given the spiritual and cultural challenges faced by many societies.

The words of Saint Paul remain as relevant as ever: “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14). Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, may every church leader hear anew this call and help the entire people of God rise as one missionary body, sent into the world to proclaim the saving love of Jesus Christ.