“Do you have a grip on what renews a parish? Most parish leaders face frustrations trying to articulate just how to help their parishes. In Made for Mission Glemkowski clearly lays out a practical, facts-based approach to parish revitalization and inspires a strategic focus on what really matters to me, to Real Life Catholic, and to the whole Church: the salvation offered by Jesus Christ and his mandate to make disciples. Evangelization truly is the Church’s deepest identity. Get this book. Read this book. Let your leadership be transformed by this book.”
— Chris Stefanick
Speaker, author, and founder of Real Life Catholic
“Made for Mission identifies the real crisis in the Church today as a pervasive failure to form authentic disciples. I couldn’t agree more! But Tim also delivers on the practical side with tangible step-by-step guidance and tools to help you actually do it in your parish. Highly recommended!”
— Jim Beckman
Executive Director of Evangelization & Catechesis,
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
“A bold vision for parishes is desperately needed today. Tim Glemkowski provides one that is clear, practical, and inspiring. You’ve got to read this book!”
— Kevin Cotter, Executive Director of The Amazing Parish
“Made for Mission: Renewing Your Parish Culture outlines a clear path to discipleship based on wisdom and principles that have been tested in other parishes. Tim Glemkowski weaves together a convincing case for parish renewal that is practical and accessible, sharing engaging stories and in sights drawn from his work across the country. A compelling read.”
— Julianne Stanz, Director of Parish Life and
Evangelization, Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin
“Now I can see! Constantly bombarded with competing interests, we need someone to clearly ‘paint the picture’ for us, portraying both what’s being communicated and our role in it. To any pastor or parish leader seeking guidance with their goals and efforts, this book is at the very top of my list of recommendations!”
— Father Matthew Wertin, Vicar for the
New Evangelization, Diocese of Pueblo
“The heart of this book is a new vision for parishes, rooted in the process of evangelization. Tim makes this vision clear and practical. But it won’t be easy. There’s only one thing left to change the future of our parishes: pastors and their staff embracing this challenging vision.”
— Edmund Mitchell, Director of Evangelization and
Catechesis, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church,
Grapevine, Texas
Made for Mission
Renewing Your Parish Culture
Made for
Mission
Renewing Your Parish Culture
Tim Glemkowski
Nihil Obstat
Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D.
Censor Librorum
Imprimatur
Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend
July 15, 2019
Except where noted, the Scripture citations used in this work are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible — Second Catholic Edition (Ignatius Edition), copyright © 1965, 1966, 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Every reasonable effort has been made to determine copyright holders of excerpted materials and to secure permissions as needed. If any copyrighted materials have been inadvertently used in this work without proper credit being given in one form or another, please notify Our Sunday Visitor in writing so that future printings of this work may be corrected accordingly.
Copyright © 2019 by Tim Glemkowski
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1. RELIGION—Christianity—Catholic. 2. RELIGION—Christian Ministry—General. 3. RELIGION—Christian Ministry—Pastoral Resources.
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Dedication
This book, L’Alto Catholic Institute, and my own relationship with God would not exist without the prayer, selfless love, and support of so many. To those who have journeyed with me in this work, I express my deepest gratitude and dedicate this book.
To my parents, Jim and Debbie Glemkowski, for always believing that God has more.
To my siblings, Jill, Steve, Christie, Dan, Joe, Rene, Tom, and Clare, for your friendship.
To Monsignor Dan Deutsch, whose patience and witness have been a constant guide throughout the years.
To Elliot and Jessica Foley, for over a decade of friendship that has taught me about what God’s heart is actually like.
To Michael and Emily Bianco, who came up with the idea for L’Alto on Mount Falcon Trail years ago and for your steadfast support ever since.
To Mark and Laurel Balasa, whose generosity and counsel have made the dream of L’Alto Catholic Institute a reality.
To Deacon Keith Strohm, for his mentorship and for believing in L’Alto when it was still just a website.
To my children, Eva, Theo, and Elizabeth, who are my life’s greatest joy.
Finally, and always, to my wife, Magdalene.
God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission —
He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it,if I do but keep His Commandments.
… Therefore I will trust Him.
— Cardinal John Henry Newman
Contents