By Margaret Wickware
In his slim volume, Clear & Simple: How to Have Conversations that Lead to Conversion, seasoned evangelist and author, André Regnier lays out ‘the essential elements of Jesus’ disciple-making strategy in a step-by-step process.’ His clear, succinct presentation makes it an invaluable how-to-manual for anyone considering evangelization, specifically how to proclaim the kerygma and accompany someone through initial conversion.
Thirty years ago, Regnier and his wife, Angèle co-founded Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) to train young missionary disciples on university campuses in Canada and beyond (this autumn, a team is in Exeter University).
In this book, Regnier begins with an anecdote of a conversation that could have taken place in almost any parish anywhere. He was speaking to a ‘gathering of mostly retired folks’. After hearing about his apostolate, they sought him out wondering where they had gone wrong. Their children and grandchildren were far from the faith. He answered that it was not a matter of wrongdoing but ‘what we Catholics, by and large, haven’t yet learned to do…having intentional spiritual conversations’.
Given that some readers of his book may be contemplating evangelization for the first time, the author uses the sacrament of marriage as an interpretative key to unlock the meanings of often-heard words, namely, ‘encounter’, ‘kerygma’, ‘conversion’ and, in so doing, he establishes a clearer understanding for the task at hand. Just as the sacrament of marriage calls the man and woman to freely express their consent, Jesus’ call to discipleship is our personal invitation to say ‘yes’, to enter into a relationship with Him. ‘In conversion [‘ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit’], we reciprocate, responding to the Lord’s proposal with a similar commitment and consent. We surrender our whole lives to Christ and begin to live in a new way.’
According to Regnier and others, relatively few people, including many of those who regularly attend Mass, have made a conscious, personal decision to put Christ at the center of their lives. Some may have never heard the clear message of the gospel - ‘the kerygma’ (‘that Jesus died for me personally and not just for all humanity’) - or ‘the invitation to respond to it.’ Some have an intellectual knowledge of the faith yet no real understanding that faith is relational.
In the latter half of the book, Regnier explains that intentional spiritual conversations all begin with the evangelist’s own prayer and ‘prayerful listening to the way a person talks about themselves, God and the world, asking the Holy Spirit to help us understand where that person is on their spiritual journey’. It involves building trust, being less of a speaker and more of a listener.
What is needed in intentional accompaniment is the art of asking questions: listening attentively to what’s being said, and being ready to ask follow up questions. This is the only way we’ll be able to share with another person what they need to hear – what God wants them to hear – and not just what we want to tell them.
Why this book is an invaluable addition to every evangelist’s library is found in Chapter 3. Here, Regnier sets forth his step-by-step method that has been proven successful countless times.
Using simple graphics and diagrams that can even be ‘sketched out on a napkin in a coffee shop’ together with sample questions, the reader is given the tools to explain a four-point kerygma (the initial proclamation) in a way that is straightforward and compelling.
Very importantly, simple relationship diagrams can be used to build on the kerygma to ‘make the invitation - to put Christ at the centre of one’s life - in a clear and non-threatening way’. The call to conversion is visual.
Benefitting from his years of experience, Regnier cautions against making assumptions that people properly understand fundamental aspects of the faith, most notably sin and even Christ’s true identity. As well, he underlines the need for accompaniment beyond initial conversion that nourishes the newly converted within a community.
Generously supported with quotations from the writings of the last three Popes throughout yet thoroughly accessible, Regnier offers a simple, straightforward approach to evangelization, the work of all baptised. It undoubtedly warrants the attention of all involved in parish work in this country.
Reproduced with permission, originally published here.