Efficient Pastoral Leadership with the Collaboration of the Laity (BJMM021)

 

Efficient Pastoral Leadership with the Collaboration of the Laity

 “My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!” Gal. 4:19.

In our pastoral care we ask ourselves: How are we to reveal Jesus Christ, God made man, to this multitude of children and young people, reveal him not just in the fascination of a first fleeting encounter but through an acquaintance, growing deeper and clearer daily, with him, his message, the plan of God that he has revealed, the call he addresses to each person, and the Kingdom that he wishes to establish in this world with the “little flock” of those who believe in him, a Kingdom that will be complete only in eternity? How are we to enable them to know the meaning, the import, the fundamental requirements, the law of love, the promises and the hopes of this Kingdom?. (John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, 35)

Foundations of excellence in pastoral care: 1) This “travail”, or the whole hearted “asking ourselves” - basic disposition of the pastor; 2) a clear focus, i. E., bringing “Christ” to the flock; 3) primacy of the object ”you”  “my little children”; and 4)  act of “forming” or going beyond “the fascination of a first fleeting encounter” is a conscious process of ‘pedagogy’ for ‘gradualism’ that Ecclesia in Asia speaks of. 

Laity today

What are some of the trends in the contemporary world? => Media – knowledge – entertainment (infotainment) -> an age of experience = > obsessed with success in career – ruthless competition => Conveniences – money power => Confident – opinionated => Anticlerical, secularist attitudes growing

With a constantly increasing population, continual progress in science and technology, and closer interpersonal relationships, the areas for the lay apostolate have been immensely widened particularly in fields that have been for the most part open to the laity alone. … This apostolate becomes more imperative in view of the fact that many areas of human life have become increasingly autonomous. This is as it should be, but it sometimes involves a degree of departure from the ethical and religious order and a serious danger to Christian life. Besides, in many places where priests are very few or, in some instances, deprived of due freedom for priestly work, the Church could scarcely exist and function without the activity of the laity. (Vat. II, AA, 1)

The Church scenario is also not altogether different with respect to the presence of competent laity.

One solid cause of hope is the increasing number of better trained, enthusiastic and Spirit-filled lay people, who are more and more aware of their specific vocation within the ecclesial community. … The apostolic and charismatic movements too are a gift of the Spirit, bringing new life and vigour to the formation of lay men and women, families and young. (JP II, Ecclesia in Asia, 9)

Dynamics of Clergy – Laity Collaboration

The lifestyle and dealings of the clergy of the day is often compared with the leadership and efficiency of these new modes of leadership. On another plane there is a growing initiative from among the laity to take an active part in the life and ministry of the church. “The more the lay apostolate develops, the more strongly is perceived the need to have well-formed holy priests. . . . The more the laity’s own sense of vocation is deepened, the more what is proper to the priest stands out”. (John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis, p.9)

1. Self Esteem of Laity: Talented and accomplished laity often keep away - Even where lay participation is good any change of the priest in charge completely eclipses the initiative. Lay collaboration can begin only with the understanding of the “differentially able” laity and recognizing their worth, and not just working with the “yes-men”. “In order to build up the ’communion for mission’ and the ‘mission of communion’, every member’s unique charism needs to be acknowledged, developed and effectively utilized”. (EA,25)

2. Forums of sharing and planning: In the media world people who know, recognize each other gather to discuss, develop a strategy and carry out their mandate. “Pastoral planning with the lay faithful should be a normal feature of all parishes” (EA, 25). This will bring up creative ideas and good leadership

3. Invitation & avenues of involvement: A church with a narrow liturgical focus has no need for lay participation -in a Christian community with motivation for missionary witness and social concern need a number of hands and varying talents and ministries. “Come, follow me” is a recurring call of the Gospel and such missionary invitation to the laity is the hallmark good pastoral leadership. “I encourage all lay people to assume their proper role in the life and mission of the People of God, as witnesses to Christ wherever they may find themselves” (EA,45).

4. Equipping the laity: “It is the task of the Pastors to ensure that the laity are formed as evangelizers able to face the challenges of the contemporary world, not just with worldly wisdom and efficiency, but with hearts renewed and strengthened by the truth of Christ” (EA, 45). In a context where network markets, protestant churches, various sects, other religious and fundamentalist outfits, corporate offices, etc. enlist people and see that they undergo quality formation, lay leadership of the Catholic community have just the gathering of organizational leadership and nothing more. A focused formation defines desired outcome, develops required content and uses relevant dynamics.

5. Authorization: It is not enough that the laity are trained for pastoral collaboration, but they should be given proper responsibility. Jesus not only trained his disciples but sent them.

Authorization is the process by which properly prepared lay men and women are given responsibilities for ecclesial ministry by competent Church authority. This process includes the following elements: acknowledgment of the competence of an individual for a specific ministerial role (often called “certification”); appointment of an individual to a specific position (in some dioceses called “commissioning”), along with a delineation of the obligations, responsibilities, and authority of that position (and length of term, if specified); and finally an announcement of the appointment to the community that will be served by the lay ecclesial minister. (Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, pg 55)

6. The Spirit blows where it wills: There are many spontaneous forums of fellowship and mission and a pastor should have the humility to recognize these initiatives, offer encouragement and collaboration. Paul’s celebrated dictum of “test everything; hold fast what is good” (I Thes 5:21) is relevant not only to new charismatic initiatives, but to a variety of other phenomena. Internationally the recent Popes have wholeheartedly welcomed a variety of ecclesial movements and new communities and consequently in many countries the once moribund church communities are gradually becoming vibrant and fruitful.

Tips for ensuring pastoral participation from the laity

ü  Lay people with God experience and commitment are the best participants in pastoral ministries. Ensure and deepen God experience in laity, welcome to ministry people with mature spiritual life

ü  Change community/ institution from ‘maintenance mode’ to ‘missionary zeal’. “New Evangelisation” was the pet phrase of Pp JPII and he transformed the Universal Church.

ü  Not projects or programs but persons and relationships, not my projects but their needs and dreams

ü  Team work is growing up with others. Sharing in a team, planning with the team and teamwork are best means of lay collaboration. But a priest has a definite role of leadership and follow up

ü  Youth, children and family are the three major areas of ministry as well as the major collaborators.

ü  A media saturated generation. Marshall McLuhan’s “The medium is the message" is relevant for pastoral efficiency. ABC of pastoral effectiveness - Adaptability, Brevity and Clarity. 

Dr. Edward Edezhath (edward.edezhath@gmail.com)