New Year's in Autumn

We've begun the autumn flurry of planning, beginning new processes, resuming programs, and all that comprises parish life in the United States (note, my friends in Australia and elsewhere that I have learned not to call this season 'fall' recognizing that not everyone has trees that drop their leaves in the autumn). This is for many a time of renewed hope and of resolutions. In many ways, it is like programmatic new year's. While in our personal lives we celebrate New Year's day on January 1, with its accompanying promises to eat better, live healthier and exercise, programmatic new year's in our parishes is the time in which we re-examine practices, recruit and train new people to join us in ministry, and make resolutions to focus on the big picture rather than getting stuck in the small stuff.

This week resumed my visits to dioceses and parishes throughout the U.S. after three weeks at home. The week began with the International Catholic Stewardship Council's conference, with 700 of us gathered in Dallas for workshops, networking, and gathering of resources. In the coming weeks, I will visit Lexington, Salt Lake City, New York, Owensboro and Wichita. I look forward to seeing many of you there, and hope we'll find much to share as we celebrate "new year's" in autumn. What are your plans for the new year in your parish? What do you hold on to that is of value in parish life? What needs to be changed? Who inspires you to stick with it when the going becomes difficult? Who do you inspire? What do you think?

Googley Church in Church

The newest issue of Church magazine just arrived, and is now online as well. It features the article Dan Mulhall and I wrote together, titled "Building a Google-y Church," and I am including the link here: http://www.churchmagazine.org/issue/0909/upf_building_a_google.php.

I find it interesting (though none of us should be surprised, if we pay attention to developments in other segments of life and experience) that the article found its way into what turns out to be the last issue of Church. Jarvis notes in "What Would Google Do" and in his blog entries (www.buzzmachine.com) the frailty of traditional print media. Pastoral ministry journals are not exempt from the growing need for electronic communications as a means for reaching people today.

It is encouraging to see universities, seminaries and diocesan offices utilizing distance learning to reach those who are miles away from their campuses. Web sites like ThePastoralCenter.com serve as a central point for finding quality resources, in ways that might have been limited to conference exhibit halls in the past. Most youth ministers use Facebook or have their own web-based social networking mechanism. We seem to be learning how to use technology to enhance the personal relationship-building that is at the foundation of ministry. Still, there is much more to consider, for example, building electronic communications that are much less one-way "me talking at you" and much more "could we talk about this?" in nature.

What do you think? What are you doing to enhance or build ministry within your parish or diocese through effective utlization of contemporary communications media?

Meeting Spiritual Needs

When I first talked with Al Winseman about the studies on engagement, and later, when I read Growing an Engaged Church book for the first time, I was struck by the knowledge that when people are coming into a relationship with a parish one of the first things they are asking is "Will my spiritual needs be met?" This makes sense, of course, particularly in people who are accustomed to discerning among a plethora of choices for everything from the mundane to this most important element of life. Surely this question among those who are seeking a parish (whether due to a move, as the person is coming out of a time of active disengagement, or when an individual is coming to faith for the first time).

We have an abiding belief that no matter what the need, a relationship with Christ, lived out in the community of the Church, particularly in regular participation in the Eucharist, will satisfy any hunger or spiritual need. The question is, would one who is coming to your parish for the first time recognize there what (Whom) they seek?

What do you think?

Learning from Google and Others

My last entry introduced the article Dan Mulhall and I contributed to the latest (and last) issue of Church magazine, in which we apply the rules Jeff Jarvis developed in "What Would Google Do?" to the Church. A question that seems to be unspoken in the article and in conversations with pastoral leaders in the last few months is, "Is there any value or potential benefit in listening to the experience of Google, Gallup, or any other business? We're talking Church, not business. We think theologically, not in terms of 'the bottom line." Or as one person noted recently, "we're talking souls, not sales."

Sure, our bottom line is different from that of a business. Still, we have much to learn from those who observe the way people respond to organizations, whether for-profit or for-faith. We don't throw theology out the door, but we do allow learning from contemporary research and observation in the window, to inform our dialogue as we seek beneficial pastoral practice.

What do you think?

A Googley Church?

Jeff Jarvis has written a fascinating book called "What Would Google Do?" that explores Google's success as a sign of the ways in which people interact with institutions, organizations and businesses. He develops rules based on his observations of Google's practices, and applies them to sectors of business and public life, from education to the cable company, asking essentially, "What Would Google Do?"

Dan Mulhall and I began talking in an email one day about Jarvis' insights, and before long we began asking ourselves what would happen if Church leaders learned from social observers like Jarvis as we develop pastoral practice now and in the future? Our conversation led us to write an article that will appear in the coming issue of Church magazine. We wrote the article hoping to foster conversation among pastoral leaders, and invite people to share their thoughts, hopes, concerns and dreams here, in this blog.

As we begin this new conversation, think about (and share, please, if you would) what you believe contributes to parish life that fosters discipleship lived in mission. There are many studies that point to various elements of our communal life together. One or more of them may have made a real difference in your thinking or practice. Share your thoughts and experiences here. Dan and I will pepper the conversation in the next few weeks with our own thoughts. What do you think?

Being Church

I just returned from three weeks in Australia. Our events were wonderful experiences of sharing together our love of Christ and the Church and our desire to serve the Lord with gladness as disciples and stewards. We found that, while each parish or diocese has its particular circumstances, what we hold in common is indeed very powerful -- God's love for us in Christ through the Spirit!

My time in Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney, and Campbelltown was truly a blessing. Let us connect and stay connected in all the ways we are able, including this little blog, no matter where we live. We have much to learn from one another, and so much to celebrate.

What do you think?

Finding Hope

Just returning from time with people in the dioceses of Joliet, IL and Winona, MN, I am struck by the way we can find the hope of Christ when we are with each other. In both groups, there were moments of serious conversation, but also giggles, smiles, and promises to stay connected in support of one another. How wonderful that now, through the availability of email, cell phones and blogs we are able to be a community of people, no matter how many miles or years of experience may separate us.

What brings you hope? How are you supported by another in ministry? How do you support others in ministry?