The Why & What of One Soul at a Time
This is the story of why I created One Soul at a Time and what you can expect going forward. Thank you for being here!
So I created this evangelization and discipleship substack for Catholics who are looking for something other than endless arguing and terrible news . . . even though I myself am not tired of either. I love arguments. I teach arguing. I have degrees in Topics People Love To Argue About Most.
The difficulty is that I also care about evangelization and discipleship, even to the point of accidentally writing a book on the topic. So I faced some choices.
One option was to not write for the many Catholics (and others) of goodwill who just want to evangelize and frankly don’t want to know what I think about ___________ controversial issue of the day. Maybe I just leave you kind people to the help of other, nicer authors out there.
Another option was to stop writing on divisive topics. I don’t know that I could quit, but for Jesus why not try? The problem, of course, being that I have a genuine ministry there to. There are Catholics (and others) of goodwill who want to grapple with the Big Issues of the Moment, and they find it helpful to read me and others like me (of whatever political leanings — I read across the spectrum, so I assure you there are sincere people seeking truth and goodness in all corners).
I contemplated this challenge for many months. What audience do I serve? Where’s my calling? And slowly this project took form. It’s a third way.
What to Expect from One Soul at a Time
Here on the substack I’ll be writing about anything at all directly tied to evangelization and discipleship, but not about contentious matters strictly of prudential judgement or theological speculation, about which Catholics are free to disagree. Possible topics for One Soul at a Time include:
recommended reading, both about evangelization and discipleship specifically and more general helps for living your Catholic faith;
examples of successful evangelization and discipleship initiatives;
concepts that can be helpful in understanding how the different aspects of evangelization and discipleship fit together;
things I’ve learned the hard way over the last couple decades in ministry, and suggestions for how to make your own work more fruitful;
clarifications on questions readers have brought to my attention;
the spiritual difficulties we ordinary Catholics face, and what I have found helpful in dealing with them.
I’m predicting an average of two posts a week — it could be three short ones, one long one, or some combination. A free subscription allows you to read all articles.
I’ve been very intentional in this regard: If what you want is to receive a small but steady flow of encouragement and ideas for you as a Catholic evangelist, you can receive that even when you are trying to stay away from media and platforms that wreck your peace or sabotage your routine.
For the moment I’ve also set the newsletter so that you can reply to the One Soul at a Time e-mail in your inbox and it reaches me. I am not committing to personal answers to all reader mail; I’ve been seriously ill over the past year, and though I am significantly recovered, I still need to live within my means. I do, however, appreciate feedback and am happy to consider requests for topics.
If you subscribe that also lets me pray for you by name.
What to Expect from Me Elsewhere
Many of you know there are a couple places I can reliably be found online these days. I’m still going to be there, and although it’s possible that my good example here will rub off on me and I’ll become a nicer person elsewhere, probably I’m just gonna keep on with the pointed invective.
If you want to discuss something contentious, take it to the place where I do that; if you’re itching for a fight, I’m not that hard to find. Maybe I’ll bite, if it’s interesting.
By all means, of course, host whatever debate you like at your own place. Far be it from me to discourage animated discourse.
Thanks for Being Here!
I appreciate your company. There’s no right or wrong reader for this substack. If you find it helpful, you’re welcome at the table.