COLLABORATIVE AND CREATIVE
If the priest can let go of what some
see as his inherited power and the people are prepared to be active
participants rather than ‘consumers’, then a new model of parish can ensue.
Be bold and be creative! Pope Francis is inviting us to rethink
our parishes’ goals, structures, style and methods of evangelisation. His
powerful invitation follows St John Paul II’s to engage with a New
Evangelisation and Benedict XVI’s invitation to assume co-responsibility for
mission.
Christians believe we are stewards of God’s resources. Everything
we have belongs to God. We receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them
responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with
increase to the Lord. Parish leadership teams interested in exploring this
stewardship model have to be courageous and visionary. For stewardship to work,
clergy and laity must be willing and able to share trust, responsibility,
ownership, development and accountability.
Among the key areas for evaluation are the spiritual, liturgical and ministerial dimensions of parish life. The social, financial and structural hinges of parish life are also significant areas for attention because they challenge the inherited and parochial routine which in some cases has become predictable, stagnant and ritualistic.
Among the key areas for evaluation are the spiritual, liturgical and ministerial dimensions of parish life. The social, financial and structural hinges of parish life are also significant areas for attention because they challenge the inherited and parochial routine which in some cases has become predictable, stagnant and ritualistic.
It is highly likely that many people in our
parishes are totally unaware of the specific financial details that shape and
dictate our current status. If transparency is part of the parish package, the
absolute necessity of planned giving and fund-raising is perceived and
understood in a shared context. When consumerism is replaced by ownership, and
people know they belong, a very different model of parish is born. Awareness
and education is a vital first step to transformation.
The concept of stewardship takes time, patience and effort to introduce and consolidate. It is not a cosmetic quick-fix or surface exercise. Stewardship is a challenge to engage in a fairly extensive overhaul of the parochial system that has dictated and shaped parish practice for generations.
The pastoral implication of stewardship is that both priest and people are willing to embrace and establish a more pastoral procedure of systemic openness, collaboration and community development. There is a dual challenge here for the priest letting go of what may be perceived to be inherited power and the people recognising their opportunity, right and privilege to become more active participants in the body of Christ. Once the vision is owned and operational, the people of the parish are empowered to live out their baptismal calling. Management and maintenance issues can be assigned to competent laity, while the priests are set free to serve the “missio Dei” entrusted at ordination.
As Pentecost approaches, we are reminded again of the gifts given by the Spirit to the whole Church. Pentecost presents an ideal opportunity to focus on the vast jigsaw of gifts and charisms in our parish. The invitation of Pope Francis to undertake a resolute process of discernment, purification and reform is just too good to miss.
Alternatively, parishes could also use their patronal feast day to assemble the community, to name the strengths and weaknesses and prioritise the pastoral agenda. Establishing an annual evaluation day like this will certainly be challenging. Identifying the needs of the people, offering a sense of prayer, belonging and hospitality, goes a long way to bringing discernment and stewardship to life. Pope Francis, of course, draws attention to the fact that a lot depends on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor as well as the community.
Together we are coming to realise that, fundamentally, stewardship is a process of growth into the life, teaching and person of Jesus of Nazareth. The Eucharist remains the cornerstone and compass for the entire journey. A key component of the stewardship journey is the realisation that everything in life is a gracious gift.
The concept of stewardship takes time, patience and effort to introduce and consolidate. It is not a cosmetic quick-fix or surface exercise. Stewardship is a challenge to engage in a fairly extensive overhaul of the parochial system that has dictated and shaped parish practice for generations.
The pastoral implication of stewardship is that both priest and people are willing to embrace and establish a more pastoral procedure of systemic openness, collaboration and community development. There is a dual challenge here for the priest letting go of what may be perceived to be inherited power and the people recognising their opportunity, right and privilege to become more active participants in the body of Christ. Once the vision is owned and operational, the people of the parish are empowered to live out their baptismal calling. Management and maintenance issues can be assigned to competent laity, while the priests are set free to serve the “missio Dei” entrusted at ordination.
As Pentecost approaches, we are reminded again of the gifts given by the Spirit to the whole Church. Pentecost presents an ideal opportunity to focus on the vast jigsaw of gifts and charisms in our parish. The invitation of Pope Francis to undertake a resolute process of discernment, purification and reform is just too good to miss.
Alternatively, parishes could also use their patronal feast day to assemble the community, to name the strengths and weaknesses and prioritise the pastoral agenda. Establishing an annual evaluation day like this will certainly be challenging. Identifying the needs of the people, offering a sense of prayer, belonging and hospitality, goes a long way to bringing discernment and stewardship to life. Pope Francis, of course, draws attention to the fact that a lot depends on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor as well as the community.
Together we are coming to realise that, fundamentally, stewardship is a process of growth into the life, teaching and person of Jesus of Nazareth. The Eucharist remains the cornerstone and compass for the entire journey. A key component of the stewardship journey is the realisation that everything in life is a gracious gift.
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