Parish Bubble (a.k.a Troublesome Post)

 

Propelling Out of the Parish Bubble 

(Originally posted in 2018  and challenged by the Diocese of Rockville Centre)

 

The key to the new evangelization is for a parish to build on its historic culture and break out of the parish bubble into the community. A healthy parish will become a resource for the community’s spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs.

During my pre-ordination interview for the permanent diaconate, I had a fifteen-minute interview with my bishop. The time together was more or less akin to a speed-dating interview, each prospective future deacon doing his best to impress the bishop. I was able to express an interest in evangelizing outside of the “parish bubble”. The bishop expressed interest in evangelization, as most church leaders are concerned about the dwindling numbers in the pews and lack of robust support for the church by millennials.

Having spent my adult married life (twenty-five years) in my home parish, I came to understand the neighborhood so to speak. I’ve interacted with scores of ministry and community leaders and I have gotten accustomed to the ebb and tide of parish functions, from vacation bible school to the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughter's sponsored dances and the many ministry meetings, each with their own flavor and atmosphere. I have been blessed to know many dedicated disciples who donate their time and talent to the parish.

I have seen priests come and go. We have had skillful servant-leaders who collaborated with the laity. We have had pastors who seemed to be aloof. We have traveled from joyous times to scandal and back again.

The majority of priests and deacons through our doors have been of the highest holy character and have baptized, married, counseled, corrected, and taught us. I have a special place in my heart for these men who have selflessly dedicated their lives in service to bring souls to Christ. I am always overwhelmed by the faithful women who are the glue in the parish dedicated to spreading the gospel by their words and actions. I hold the office of the presbyterate in the highest esteem and will defend the righteous as much as I hold to task those who have brought scandal to the office.

How would you define your parish?

The “Parish Bubble” is to understand what drives your parish. Are we defined by strict adherence to tradition, whose favorite phrase is “That’s the way it’s always been done here”? Do you see how ministry leaders work to squash new ideas to maintain the power over “Their Ministry”? Never forget its Jesus ministry, not “Our” ministry.

Are you in a "Celebrity-Driven Parish, where the pastor is the driving personality? Often times the problem with this bubble is that the agenda is developed by the personality, rather than God’s will or the need of His people. The big risk is when the celebrity leaves the parish. The fan club tends to follow the leader.

 Do you worship in a "Money-Driven" Parish which was originally built on faith, but then the overriding fact becomes the cost, and what dollars can be saved versus what souls can be saved? Stewardship and finances are essential to the health of a parish, but when finances become the sole driving force, the parish loses its soul.

Has your parish become an “Event Machine”, seemingly working to keep the people busy from event to event, from mission to mission? We have to be mindful not to have meetings replace ministry. When visiting “missionaries” put an emphasis on the collection basket and selling their CD and DVD collections, it’s time to put the machine to rest.

 Are you in a “Time Machine” parish, where the pastor encourages turning back the hands of time to the “Good Old Day’s” of Pre-Vatican II reforms? Attempting to institute a clerical hierarchy with the intent to return to ritual, and serve the clergy class of laity? This attempt at turning back the hands of time will help some of the faithful return to the comfort of “Pray, Pay and Obey” but will never open the doors to welcome others who are at various stages of spiritual development and will potentially shun the newcomer, the unchurched. Your parish may not fit clearly into each bubble described but may have a cluster of bubbles. This past vacation, I had the opportunity to finally read Dr. Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Church” and I have learned a good deal from my Baptist brother. The parish bubbles defined above are an adaptation from this wonderful resource.

The common denominator to a Purpose Driven Parish is solid leadership that respects existing parish culture and works to collaborate with existing parishioners to build up a parish. A purposeful parish will extend beyond the bubble out to the "seekers" looking for a church that will provide for their spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs.

Every good leader I know is a good communicator. A good pastor will not impose an agenda and style of the church on a community but is one who understands the many gifts the laity can bring to the health of a parish and the greater community. A good pastor will lead through collaboration and seldom dictate.

The seeds of faithful parishioners are ready to grow. A parish leader can tend to the plants in his terrarium where growth is stunted, or he can break out of the bubble. God is calling us to bring His love actively out to the community and truly welcome the “unchurched”.

If you find that your parish is stuck in a bubble, let the pastor know your needs directly. If he refuses to listen, bring a fellow parishioner and witness to him together. If the pastor stands his ground, it may be time to find a parish where you and your family will be fed.

We are a diverse nation, with diverse communities. The harvest is plenty, yet good leaders few. By living in a parish willing to break out of the bubble, she can evangelize out into the community, spreading the Good News of Salvation and help people turn from sin back into the right relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.