Return of the Disciple Maker Index draws closer — participation from parishioners, parish leadership, needed to develop robust pastoral plans

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In Luke 14:28–31, Jesus asks a crowd travelling with him, “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? … Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?”

This quote emphasizes the importance of gathering information — the goal of the upcoming Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey returning this Lenten season to parishes across the dioceses.

Previously completed by more than 40 percent of parishioners in 2023, the results from the index were pivotal in developing the With One Heart parish and diocesan pastoral plans, which have been put into effect since the previous survey’s completion and the launching of the With One Heart Campaign. Fruits of these plans are already observable, with the establishment of a diocesan youth minister and growth of youth and young adult groups across the diocese, the promotion of the Catholic Leadership Institute and improvements in communications and Hispanic ministry.

Now, the survey returns to read exactly how this progress has changed the responses since the previous round. And, as Deacon Fortner, the Diocese of Covington’s COO puts it, “my intuition tells me that I think this survey’s going to show positive results.”

With a goal of as many answers as possible, parish points of contact will be distributing the survey — which will be made available both physically and through an online portal shared at parishes — beginning Feb. 18, with seven weeks given for parishioners to contribute. From there, the results will be analyzed by individual parishes and updates to plans will be put into effect for a projected June 2026 completion.

“Whether you’re a profit company or nonprofit company or church, the data says that if you have a strategic plan, you have better results,” Deacon Fortner said. “We’re expecting that to hold true here … The data will give pastors insight into what has been working and what needs more focus.”

While it’s the described role of parish points of contact to promote and distribute the survey in their parish communities, Deacon Fortner also emphasized the importance of the clergy’s involvement in the process. “The pastors need to promote this as an important tool as well,” he said. “The better informed the parish leadership is, the better their plans will be.”