Guides, Not Gospel: The 3 Phases of Pastoral Planning
It’s better to think of the 3 phases of pastoral planning as a good guide, rather than the Gospel truth. It’s a good overview and points out several helpful landmarks, but there can quite a few detours along the way and every situation will demand its own unique needs.
Phase One: Communication
The best starting point is usually for archdiocesan leadership to speak with all of the priests affected by the grouping together. Do this first and then we can avoid some unnecessary headaches. When this doesn’t happen feelings are hurt, suspicion creeps in, rumors fly, parishioners hear things, and then distrust is rampant. Unfortunately, this first step hasn’t always happened. Mistakes have been made. If we start to notice some distrust and bitterness creeping into our hearts, let it be a warning sign of a couple of things. One, we’re not doing this phase very well and we need to look at where we messed up and two, the Enemy has been invited to the party. Cancel the invitation by having a conversation. Really, it’s that simple. Start talking to the person you’re frustrated with and stop talking about them.
Once those priests have had a conversation with archdiocesan leadership, then it’s time to strategize about communicating with parishioners.
Phase Two: Maintenance
During this phase we’re really just asking the question, “What’s it going to take to maintain things the way they are with one or two fewer priests?” We’ll start looking at questions like Mass schedules, staffing, priest housing, centralized administrative and pastoral services, religious education, boards, councils, and finances. We hope that whatever planning we do, we don’t have to do it again in 5 years. That means tough decisions and compromises will have to be made by all.
When we know who the pastor is or will be, the planning goes a little bit more smoothly. When we don’t know, we can only go so far with answering the above questions. The pastor has the choice of inviting someone from the archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Office to help facilitate all of the meetings with the representatives from each parish in the grouping. He’s the pastor, he gets to decide. The Pastoral Planning Office is happy to help in any way and it’s no trouble at all, but the office defers to the pastor’s preference whether he wants help or not.
Phase Three: Mission
The question we answer here is, “How do we move our church from maintenance to mission?” Again, the Pastoral Planning office can help with this phase by facilitating an envisioning or strategic planning process or the pastor can go it alone. Either way, it would be a huge mistake for any parish not to ask this question whether you want help or whether you are going through this pastoral planning process or not. There is too much at stake for His Kingdom not to be engaged in moving our parishes from maintenance to mission.
A simple re-calibration in Phase Two, which would require more work or revisions within 5-7 years is not an option, though it may take several steps to get there. The new structures must provide stability and continuity which will allow pastors and parishioners the freedom to focus on bringing the mission of the church to life in the following areas.
- Encounter and Equipping– Form and equip disciples of the Risen Christ and to foster conversion to Jesus Christ in our county, our towns, and within our parishes
- Mercy – Provide concrete service to the particular needs of our towns, parishes and counties which will make the Gospel message appear more credible.
- Unity – Work and minister as One Church on One Mission.