Go Make Disciples - The Five Foundations

The FIVE FOUNDATIONS

In faithfulness to Jesus Christ, Go Make Disciples sets out five foundations for spiritual renewal which help us build fruitful communities of missionary discipleship.

These foundations present opportunities for every community to build a culture of holiness and mission.

1. EVANGELISATION

2. LEADERSHIP

3. COMMUNITY

4. FORMATION

5. WORSHIP

In The New Testament, we see that these five foundations are central to Jesus’ life and mission to proclaim the Good News, and our faithful continuation of the mission today must be built upon the rock of His life and mission.

During the ‘Parish 2020’ consultations, various expressions of these foundations were cited as central mission priorities. As well, from best practice and research we know that while every parish and community is distinct in its history, gifts and resources, these five foundations are essential for building healthy and disciple-making parishes. Just as there are systems in our physical bodies that are essential to our health and growth, and which work together to this end, so there foundations that build up the body of the Church and allow us to carry forward Christ’s mission with vitality.

In the full version of Go Make Disciples available at www.gomakedisciples.org.au, you will find a four (4) step process which your parish or community can undertake to reflect upon the place of each foundation in the life of Jesus and in your community, review how that foundation is being expressed in the actions and priorities of your parish or other community, discern and decide how God might be calling your community to strengthen that foundation, and take action with the help of the support and resources outlined in the Mission Plan.

As part of this process, your parish or other Eucharistic community will be able to consider a list of strategies to strengthen these foundations for mission. These recommended strategies for parish renewal, shared in summary in this document and in full online at www.gomakedisciples.org.au, represent the wisdom of communities in Sydney gathered through the past years of consultation with clergy, deaneries and parishioners, as well as research into best practices for evangelisation here in Australia and overseas.

This process can be led by your priest or others in your community, on a parish retreat day or a series of reflections days. Your parish can also enter into this process by attending a Parishes for Mission day, which will be offered regionally and online by the Parish Renewal Team of the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation.

Taken from “Go Make Disciples”, Mission plan for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Page 7