Dear Friends,
I shared with you two weeks ago the beginning of some insights from the Amazing Parish conference, specifically the need for all of us—beginning with me—to be transformed in Living Stones of the Church, living members of the Body of Christ. This transformation is brought about by living out three cultures: a culture of unceasing prayer, a culture of healthy teamwork, and a culture of active discipleship. Today, I would like to share with you what Amazing Parish calls the Five Misconceptions of a Parish Team. These five misconceptions can and should be applied to the wider parish, not simply a leadership team or staff. As I list these misconceptions, remember that they are stated as misconceptions, not as the way things should be.
The Five Misconceptions of a Parish:
- The pastor has to be involved in everything. Actually, no, pastors do not need to be involved in everything. They don’t need to choose what color flowers are planted, what kind of dessert is served at the parish picnic; they don’t need to attend every meeting of every committee and group. Pastors have been given the responsibility to a lead a parish and should know what is going on in the parish. Ultimately, final say on important decisions is a responsibility of pastors.
- The leadership team shouldn’t push back on the pastor. There is a tendency to see the pastor as wise and knows what is best on most matters (hopefully most don’t see this pastor in such a light). Some people are afraid to disagree with the pastor or even afraid to ask the pastor to reconsider. Sometimes it is healthy to push back in a respectful manner.
- The parish shouldn’t stop doing anything. “We’ve always done things this way,” or “This group has always done this event or activity.” Within those statements and similar sentiments is a mentality that everything should always remain the same at a parish: that there should be no (or little) change in activities, events, committees, and groups; that people should be able to continue doing what they’ve always done. Change is hard, and change for change’s sake can be foolhardy. At the same time, we have to recognize when an activity, event, or even committee no longer addresses current needs, is not fruitful, or does not contribute to the mission of bringing people to a saving encounter with Jesus Christ.
- No one should ever leave a parish. We don’t want to drive people away, and especially we don’t want to drive people away from our Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time, we should not compromise on our beliefs, on our mission, on our expectations and standards. There can be a tendency to bend over backwards to keep as many people as possible in the parish. However, if a person will not buy into our parish’s mission and direction, then our parish may not be the best fit for that person.
- The PLT (parish leadership team) and staff shouldn’t be present on the most important day of the week. Imagine working for the Browns or any team in the NFL. It wouldn’t matter what your position was: you would work on Sunday. No one working in the NFL could get away with saying, “I don’t work on the weekend.” Similarly, Sunday is the most important day in our parish. Sunday Mass is the most important event at our parish. When are most parishioners and visitors on parish grounds? Sundays.
We are saints under construction, cooperating with the Holy Spirit in the work of our parish. Have a great week!
In Christ,
Fr. Matt