Sitting in church
Those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. (James 23-24)
Garrison Keillor said, “Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”
Funny.
This will be short. (you laugh)
I’ve been training parish leaders in parish development for a long time. I’ve discovered two kinds of participants and students.
The first kind are thinkers and doers.
The second, are thinkers.
Hmmm, there have been a few doers who were non-thinkers. Maybe I’ll write about them another time.
There are those who spend two years in a program and never use survey feedback in any form. Never establish the structures, processes and climate that build a capacity for discernment, increased listening and trust, or the strengthening of an apostolic core. They may have created a few programs that will disappear soon after the arrival of the new rector. But the elements of a healthy sustainable culture were never established.
And there are those who carry out the small class assignments and projects - interview three people, have a small group use the Parish Life Cycle to assess parish life, or ask four members for feedback on their leadership. They have established the daily office and listening processes that are used in all parish groups and meetings.
Parish development involves using the practices of the discipline.
A new quote
“Anyone who thinks attending the sessions of Shaping the Parish can make you a parish developer must also think that sitting in church can make you a Christian.” You need to practice it. You need to do it.
This abides,
Robert
Related
Parish Development is a conversation