Pastor's Page: January 23, 2011
The Parish of the 21st Century-Other Styles of Pastoring
Another style of pastoral leadership is closer to the second Vatican Council model of church pastoring. This pastor collaborates with parishioners but it is clear that he runs the staff meetings and is the ultimate authority. Members of the staff or team and the Council feel that he listens to them and acts upon their perspectives. This pastor is open to their critique and their reactions and consults them when major decisions need to be made. It is a collegial and consulted style of leadership, but it is not a mutual, equal sharing of leadership. It is a hierarchical style that is ultimately a top-down one.
But there is another style of participatory leadership that is seen by many seminal thinkers as an ideal. Parish staffs and councils work together to build a consensus or intellectual agreement of 80% on the direction the parish ought to take in proclaiming the gospel. This approach requires more meeting time and skills needed for it to be effective. It is easy to become discouraged and lose patience because of the time and lack of understanding of the process needed to arrive at consensus. This style values the contributions of all parishioners in leadership. The leadership team, staff and Council decide, and the pastor is no longer the primary decider. The burdens of authority and the taking on of ownership of the parish are shared. The parish at large is drawn into the process as well.
This model requires the pastor to exercise strong leadership by creating a healthy climate for discussion, conflict and goal setting. Parish leaders are encouraged by him to participate in identifying parish concerns, problems and needs and then finding the best solutions. Everyone is encouraged by the pastor to take part in the discussion and the discernment of God's will for the local community. At the end of a process like this, everyone becomes a
co-owner of the task and a co-minister of the parish as a whole.
Peace and love,
Father Bruce
Next week: Other Styles of Pastoring A Parish
|
