Our “Why” Is a “Who”—Start with Jesus by Julianne Stanz

Start with Jesus by Julianne Stanz - author and book pictured

Popular author and speaker, Simon Sinek, made a splash a few years ago with his book, Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. His point is well-taken: people won’t truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the why behind it.

For Christians, our “Why” is a “Who!”

OK, I know this is beginning to sound like the old “Who’s on First?” bit by Abbott and Costello, but the truth is, Christianity begins with a Person—Jesus Christ—and this Person embodies our “Why.” Too often, however, we Christians forge on doing what we do without paying attention to the “Who” or the “Why” of our movement!

This is precisely why my good friend, Julianne Stanz, has written a very important book titled, Start with Jesus: How Everyday Disciples Will Renew the Church. Julianne reminds us that missionary discipleship is all about introducing people to a Person: Jesus Christ, who is “both message and messenger.” Julianne states emphatically, “It is a problem when we cannot articulate from whom our identity comes.”

I eagerly encourage you to make this the first book you read in 2020! I have known Julianne for about 10 years, and I continue to believe that she is one of the most talented evangelists and mystics in our midst. Several years ago, when Loyola Press asked me to write a book about the spirituality of catechists and to consider a female co-author, it took me all of about 2.5 seconds to blurt out the name, “Julianne Stanz!” The result was our successful book, The Catechist’s Backpack: Spiritual Essentials for the Journey. Now, she is sharing her vision for renewal of our parishes by focusing on the Person of Jesus Christ—the One who embodies our “Why.”

Start your New Year with Julianne’s book, and learn how you can “set the world on fire” if you Start with Jesus!

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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