Managing Councils
Pastors preside at meetings of Parish Pastoral Councils.
Good presiding means knowing how to consult, what to consult about,
and how to lead.
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The Pastor's Role
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- Why "consultative"?
- A pastor consults to better lead the parish
community.
- Dysfunctional pastors.
- Councils should recognize them and exercise their
rights.
- Parish assemblies.
- At a parish assembly, pastors may be surprised by councillor talent.
- Delicate Politics.
- Councils can help pastors who find themselves between a rock and
a hard place.
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Leading the Council
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- Ministry.
- Service on the parish council means ministry more
than leadership.
- Presider.
- That's how canon law describes the pastor's role.
- Priest shortage.
- Councils can help parishioners prepare for the
shortage of priests.
- Consultative only?
- Pastors consult to put the wisdom of the people at
the service of the parish.
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Council Workings
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- When to consult?
- When the council is ready and general agreement is needed.
- When to delegate?
- Sometimes a pastor needs an ad hoc committee. Other times he needs
expert advice.
- Building Commitment.
- Developing popular enthusiasm is a good, but secondary, purpose.
- Facilitation.
- Good facilitators care, but stay detached so as to help the council
do its work.
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