A New Year, With New Hopes and Dreams

The sometimes-reader of this blog might be happy to know that one of my new year's resolutions is to approach what is found here in a new and different way. More conversational; more sharing of stories and observations from the people I meet along the way; less long, somewhat stilted reflections; more of something like I'm standing at the back door (friends always come to the back door, my mother often told me) propping it open while talking on the phone. Mind you, if you ever really did find me at home, you'd have to slop through the mud to get to the back door and I wouldn't make you do that! I might, however, lead you through the garage door, the contemporary equivalent if there ever was one.

I pray your new year is filled with many hopes and dreams, and that you'll share a few of those here as we begin 2010 together.

Blessing and peace to you and all you serve,
Leisa

Building on What is Already Wonderful

One of the important insights from the Gallup studies on engagement is that rather than dwelling on what is not working, in our parishes or in our own lives, we will do better to focus on what is already working wonderfully and build on it. I am amazed at how this seemingly small thought is changing my thinking and the way in which I look at my life, my parish, and my world.

Isn't it possible that the things that lead others to our parishes, the bright spots of life and love, the ways in which people care for each other and the needs of our world that often go unnoticed, are the very things that have potential for development and celebration?

The same is surely true of our personal lives, at home, in our parishes, in our community. When I really reflect on the talents God has given me, I realize there is so much I can do by developing and offering them, why focus on what I don't do well, on what I don't have?

There is much in our society that says "fix your weaknesses; resources are scarce; hold tight to what you have and you might be able to survive the moment." Christ says instead, "I have come that you might have life, life to the full."

Focusing and building on the many ways in which we are blessed, in our lives and in our parishes, is a much more sacred way to live. I begin this day with a prayer of gratitude, asking the Holy Spirit to guide my mind and heart so that I may recognize opportunities to build on what is already wonderful, to bring the beauty and strength of Christ's presence to those whom I encounter. What do you think?

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?