Today, priests and parish leaders are serving in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Meeting these challenges requires a shift in mindset—from seeing parish life as something contained within church walls to something lived out in everyday places. When this vision becomes action, it changes everything.
Next Generation Parish meets this moment with urgency and hope, forming parishes to deepen their community’s relationship with God, raise up disciples, and model a faith that thrives within, and goes out to share Christ with the world. Next Generation Parish is a two-year journey that transforms parish life through prayerful discernment, leadership formation, and accompaniment.
Next Generation Parish Timeline
Phase 1: Invitation
(3 months)
Phase 2: Discovery
(6 months)
Phase 3: Accompaniment
(12 months)
Phase 4: Reflect
(3 months)
An Actionable Response to a Weighty Reality
85%
of children confirmed stop practicing the faith by age 21.
29%
of registered Catholics in the US attend Mass weekly.
8.3 M
people are estimated to leave the Church in the next 10-20 years.
We believe that every parish can become a living witness of faith marked by deepened discipleship, shared responsibility, intentional worship that extends beyond the Sunday experience, and a missionary impulse that meets both the challenges and opportunities of today’s Church.
- Rooted in Discernment Next Generation Parish begins not with plans, but with prayer. Leaders pause to ask, “What does God desire for our parish Who are we serving? Who aren’t we serving, and how do we bring those two together?"
- Empowered by Shared Responsibility Through formation, coaching, and pastoral planning, parish leadership becomes a shared mission — a community of missionary disciples ready to bring the Gospel beyond its walls. Leadership does not fall on one or two but is lifted up by many people in unison.
- Deepens Discipleship Formation is at the heart of the journey. Leaders grow in prayer, scripture, and discipleship—learning not just what to do, but who they are called to be. Rooted in Christ, learn how to effectively share witness and guide others with confidence and compassion.
- Sustained Through Accompaniment Parish leaders are accompanied by experienced consultants and experts in the field of discipleship, sharing the journey with other parishes with similar vision and challenges. This builds accountability, courage, and connection.
