001: What Makes a Missionary Disciple with Fr. James Mallon

In this episode of the Proclaim podcast, Brett and Jason talk with Fr. James Mallon of Divine Renovation about what it really means to be a missionary disciple, and why a missionary disciple might choose to use a resource like Alpha to help others encounter Jesus. This is Part 1 of 3 episodes with Fr. James Mallon.

Some moments of particular interest in their conversation:

1:22 Fr. James shares his own conversion story, and how the passion that came from it drives his ministry

4:26 The kind of motive that must “ground” our evangelizing mission

5:43 What really makes a missionary disciple

8:40 The universal call to holiness and mission, and what happens when we neglect the second part

11:30 How Jesus models perfectly for us how being relevant does not mean abandoning the essence of who we are

14:42 Why we must lead with evangelization with people who have not yet fallen in love with God

18:12 Is Alpha Catholic?

22:22 The distinction between feeding sheep and catching fish

24:15 Why it is actually an advantage that Alpha comes from outside the Catholic Church

Takeaway quote:

“If your investment in growth as a missionary doesn’t keep pace with your growth as a disciple, 3 things happen: you become weird, judgemental, and irrelevant.” - Fr. James Mallon

Want to watch the interview? View it here.