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KNOWING AND LEADING ENGAGEMENT IN YOUR PARISH

A Guide for Building Engagement in Your Parish

Knowing and Leading Engagement in Your Parish! 1

☙ Introduction

Belonging Leads to Believing!

This powerful statement captures the essence of the Gallup research on parishioner engagement.

Embracing engagement as a goal and vision for parish life, as a way to become a community of disci-ples, is life-giving and compelling; through such life we inspire one another to live deeply as mem-bers of the Body of Christ.

What a blessing such life is! We find in engagement a lens through which to view our life together, an intersecting point among persons of ministry and within the facets of our lives in our parishes.

Engagement becomes a broad framework for Catholic parish life, and what follows is a guide to help you build such life within your parish. Author and strengths leader Marcus Buckingham says that “what most of us want is not a few innovations that can be scaled to the many, but rather we want many practical innovations, things we could think of ourselves, but simply haven't yet. We want those initiatives provided to us in a way that when we try them they'll feel as though we have done them before.”1

It is in that spirit that we have combined our experience in building engagement in our parishes with what we have learned from parish leaders throughout North America. We have highlighted four key steps in the ongoing process of creating and sustaining this deep sense of belonging in the parish. Each step has numerous sub-steps. Some of these you will find self-evident, and others might be sur-prising to you. We have tried to think about the things you will need to know, and how you can build on the cumulative experience this Guide represents. We do not intend for the Guide to tell you ex-actly what to do in every situation, but we hope it will give you the confidence you need to imple-ment engagement in your parish. Every step of the way, we have included samples from one of our parishes to illustrate the step from our real-life experience.


1 Buckingham, Marcus, StandOut, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2011

☙ About the four steps:

We continue to use the parable of the good soil as the image of what we hope will happen in our Church as we build engagement and strengths development in our parishes. By building up the community of faith and the members of Christ's Body, we cultivate the good soil in which living faith flourishes.

We have come to recognize four primary steps in implementing engagement and strengths in the par-ish:

Step One: First, we must find and form sowers from our leaders. We will need to identify and educate our leaders about engagement and strengths. Through this process, they begin to embrace the impor-tance of belonging and of building strengths.

Step Two: Then, we will till the soil and prepare for planting. In other words, we will identify those who will join us in leading the strengths process, and we will create a plan of action for our strengths initiative. By taking time with this step, we will carefully lay the foundation for flourishing life and faith among individuals and within the parish.

Step Three: Next, we will plant and water the seeds of engagement, discipleship and stewardship as we roll out our strengths plan and help parishioners to make connections between strengths and their lives of faith.

Step Four: Then, we will harvest the crops of living faith and deeper engagement, and we will plan for new seasons, insuring that this process will be ongoing.

While initially it may seem that building engagement within the parish is a linear process, we believe it is actually cyclical. Let us look at this cyclical process as you begin to implement engagement in the parish. The visual image on the following page illustrates the interrelated nature of engagement, stewardship, and parish leadership.

The illustration shows the cyclical process of building an engaged parish that lives as disciples and stewards. The four questions within the steps are those identified by Gallup as the things people ask as they are growing in a deep sense of belonging. The statements at the top of each step are the movements of one who is growing as a good steward. While we may initially begin at the top of the cycle, our life circumstances, growth in faith, and our interactions with others may take us to different points of the cycle throughout our lives.


1.#Find##and#Form#Sowers#from#the#Leaders#(help#them#understand#what#the#impact#of#building#engagement#can#be#for#the#parish#and#parishioners)##

2.#Till#the#Soil#and#Prepare#for#Plan?ng#(iden?fy#a#team#and#build#your#plan)#

3.#Plant#and#Water#the#Seeds#of#Engagement,#Discipleship#and#Stewardship#(roll#out#your#plan,#help#parishioners#understand#the#importance#of#belonging,#connect#with#life#and#faith)#

4.#Harvest#Your#Crops#and#Plan#for#New#Seasons#(witness#increased#engagement#and#outcomes;#plan#for#new#seasons)#


It is a privilege to bring this Guide to you. We do not believe it is “the last word.” It isn’t “the first word,” either. It does, we hope, fill in some of the “words” in between -- the steps of implementation that have until now been passed from person to person, leader to leader, in conversations on the phone, emails, and presentations in parishes and dioceses. That sounds a bit like the way the first communities of faith shared what was important to them, doesn’t it? In a similar way, we feel a true sense of blessing, privilege and responsibility in sharing this Guide with you. We hope by doing so the people of your parish will come to belong deeply, within your community as members of the Body of Christ and, most importantly, to our Lord Jesus himself, as his disciples and stewards.

We also hope you will join us as part of the Catholic Strengths and Engagement Community (CSEC) at www.CatholicStrengths-Engagement.org. CSEC is a grass-roots organization that is helping to bring the news of engagement and strengths to dioceses and parishes throughout North America; we offer an online connected community which provides a way for leaders to share their ideas, experi-ences, and questions (and their documents, slide decks, and video links); and we are a means for pas-toral leaders to participate in the ongoing development of engagement and strengths in the Catholic Church. You will see references and links to resources that are already on the CSEC site, and we are sure you will soon have things to share there as well! Please join us in making CSEC a dynamic com-munity of engaged pastoral leaders who live their strengths!

May the Holy Spirit continue to urge each of us on as servants and stewards of the mysteries of God,

Msgr. Bill Hanson, Stephanie Moore, Don Garbison, and Leisa Anslinger ! CSEC Founders


http://www.CatholicStrengths-Engagement.org


☙ Step One: Find and Form Sowers from Your LeadersHelp parish leaders understand the impact of engagement for the parish and parishioners

Overview: In this step, you will build awareness and adoption of the vision of an engaged parish among all in parish leadership. The main focus of this step is to increase knowledge of the science of engagement as well as the theological foundations that support this focus for your parishioners and your parish community.

Within this step, you will need to:

A. Determine the Who, What, Why and How

• Identify and Invite key leaders as you lay a foundation for engagement

B. Create educational opportunities to learn about the key concepts of engagement

• Educate your leaders about engagement through one-day “summits” or leadership retreats

C. Lay a good theological and pastoral foundation

• Build in an appreciation of theological foundations, so that your leaders will grasp the ways in which en-gagement fits into our Catholic way of life. Help them to see how creating a deep sense of belonging can permeate the parish, engaging people toward spiritual commitment and a life of discipleship.


Samples in This Manual for Step One:

A. Determine the Who, What, Why and How

• I: A-1 Worksheet Grid

B. Create educational opportunities to learn about the key concepts of engagement

• I: B-1 Sample leader summit invitation

• I: B-2 Sample outline for a one-day summit

• I: B-3 A brief engagement bibliography

• I: B-4 Study Guide for Growing an Engaged Church

C. Lay a good theological and pastoral foundation

• I: C-1 Catholic Theological, Systemic, and Pastoral Foundations for Engagement


☙ Step Two: Till the Soil and Prepare for PlantingIdentify an engagement team and create a plan of action

Overview: In this step, you will move from exploration of the value and benefits of engagement to the process of implementation. The main focus of this step is to build a team and create a plan of action for your first year of growing an engaged parish.


A. Identify and invite team members to guide engagement implementation

• Determine your ideal team and invite their participation in this initiative. Team members will need to make a one-year commitment, renewable for an additional two years.

B. Build a strengths based team

• If any of your team has not already completed StrengthsFinder, this will be the first step for them, and you will need to provide them with education about strengths research and theological connections, along with a strengths experience (one-day summit or small group process or both) as part of your team formation.

• Include reading from Strengths Based Leadership and working with the domains of leadership at this time.

C. Create vision and mission statements, a team charter, and strategy plan with goals and objectives

• Depending on how your parish leadership typically approaches new initiatives, you may already have a process for creating vision and mission statements, a team charter for your group, and a strategic plan-ning process. Your parish may also have a long-range plan into which engagement fits. Take these things into consideration as you develop a clear understanding of the short term (one year) vision of engage-ment in your parish and how your team will contribute to that vision and mission.

• Your plan should lay out the timeline for your initial engagement initiatives. Many parishes introduce engagement to a few layers of leadership (council, staff, commissions/committees, ministry coordina-tors) before explaining the importance of belonging to the whole parish. Your plan should include oppor-tunities for these steps, along with the timeline for your all-parish introduction.


• A few decisions will be made at this time:

• Will you administer an ME25 in the coming year? You will need to consider the financial and time commitments associated with this engagement survey, along with the benefits of objective data as you plan to build engagement in your parish.

• If so, you will need to designate people to handle the details of the survey process

• If not, your process of building engagement will inherently be somewhat subjective, but you can still guide your parish to grow in engagement. You are still likely to experience an increase in the outcomes of inviting, serving, giving and thankfulness/life satisfaction by intentionally building engagement, following the implications of the research as you create your engagement plan

• Will you be, or are you already, launching Living Your Strengths within your parish?

• If so, you will need to coordinate communication and strategies with the strengths implementa-tion team

• If not, consider doing so in the very near future -- strengths is a primary driver in most parishes that are intentionally building engagement

D. Review your plan with your pastor and pastoral leadership

• Once you have developed your vision and mission, team charter and an initial strategic plan, it will be time to bring these pieces to your pastor and key leaders, such as your parish council, staff, and/or stewardship committee. This meeting need not be overly formal, but it does need to provide the opportunity for essential leaders to give feedback. This is also your opportunity to build enthusiasm for what will follow at a crucial time in the process.


Samples in This Manual for Step Two:

A. Identify and invite team members to guide strengths implementation

• II: A-1 Team description

B. Further educate and form your team

• II: B-1 Blank talent grid

• II: B-2 Blank domain grid

C. Create vision and mission statements, a team charter, and strategy plan with goals and objectives

• II: C-1 Sample vision and mission template/outline

• II: C-2 Sample team charter

• II: C-3 Sample plan outline/template


☙ Step Three: Plant and Water the Seeds of Engagement, Discipleship and StewardshipRoll out your plan; help parishioners to understand the importance of building an engaged parish in the context of discipleship and stewardship

Overview: In this step, you will begin to more widely introduce engagement to parishioners, helping them to understand the importance of building an engaged parish within the context of discipleship and stewardship.


A. Introduce parishioners to the importance of belonging

• When you are ready to introduce engagement to parishioners, you will employ every means to communicate the possibilities for people in their personal lives as well as the importance in building your parish commu-nity:

• Bulletin and newsletter articles

• Lay witness talks

• Pastor homily

• Posters/banners/signs!

• Be sure to include:

• Connections to our call to live as disciples and stewards

• Our theology that we are each created in God’s image and likeness, and how discovering and living our God-given talents is a way for us to offer what only we can

• The difference engagement can make in the lives of real people, as well as the difference for the parish community

• If you will do the ME25, the survey will be introduced at this time, along with what the ME25 will help you learn and why parishioner participation is crucial

• As you explore engagement with your leaders, especially your team, think about how to put what you are learning into “Plain English.” Invite your team members to offer their ideas for ways to explain the 12 Items of Engagement in less technical language, for example. If you are doing the ME25, it will be helpful to give


your parishioners an opportunity to explore the meaning of each of the items of engagement so that they have a deeper appreciation for the meaning of the questions on the survey. (See the “In Plain English” exer-cise and example.)

• Leaders will also have a greater understanding of the impact of engagement by exploring their own personal experience with each of the steps of the engagement process. Give them the opportunity to think about this together at parish meetings, perhaps taking one item a month at regular meetings. (See the keys to engage-ment exercise example.)

B. “Take Stock” of all that is part of the life of your parish

• Give people the opportunity to share their stories

• Glean from this sharing the elements of your parish’s life that are already creating opportunities for people to deeply belong

• Use this sharing to discern the foundations of engagement already present upon which you can build for the future. Listen for and pay particular attention to evidence of practices that contribute to the 12 items of en-gagement. (See the 12 items exercise in the samples to see how one parish did this.)

C. Use the Taking Stock process to provide a springboard for participation in ministry, Living Your Strengths, and/or engagement initiatives

• As parishioners are encouraged to participate in a taking stock discussion or retreat, also invite their contin-ued participation in building engagement, participating in ministry, or discovering their God-given talents through Living Your Strengths. People who have not previously been connected may be drawn into a deeper connection to the parish through this invitation

• If you make a strengths opportunity available to parishioners, be sure to invite those who have participated to also be part of the Taking Stock process

D. If you are administering the ME25, you are now ready to do so; following the ME25 and Impact seminar, you will be ready to develop a long-range strategic engagement plan

!

E. If you do not do the ME25, follow the process included in this manual to build a strategic engagement plan for your parish


Samples in This Manual for Step Three:

A. Introduce the concepts of engagement to parishioners

• III: A-1 “In Plain English” exercise

• III: A-2 Sample bulletin announcements

• III: A-3 Four Questions for a Well-Developed Three Minute Witness

• III: A-4 Engagement Experience exercise

B. “Take Stock” of all that is part of life in your parish

• III: B-1 Outline for a half-day (or evening) Take Stock retreat

• III: B-2 12 Items exercise

• III: B-3 12 Items exercise sample

C. If you are administering the ME25, it is time to do so. Following the ME25 and Impact seminar, you will be ready to develop a long-range strategic engagement plan, factoring in your ME25 scores along with all you heard during the Taking Stock process

• III: D-1 Appreciative Process Planning Template

D. If you do not do the ME25, follow the process included in this manual to build a strategic engagement plan for your parish, using all you heard during the Taking Stock process, what you gleaned from the 12 items exercise, and the prayerful discernment of your leaders

• III: D-1 Appreciative Process Planning Template


☙ Step Four: Harvest Your Crops and Plan for New SeasonsWitness increased engagement and outcomes; plan for new seasons

Overview: In this step, you will look at what is happening and determine long-range goals and plans to continue to grow as an engaged parish


A. Observe signs that engagement is building and be attentive to new opportunities to grow in engagement

• As you conclude your first season of engagement focus, education and implementation, it will be good to take a snapshot of the initial reactions

• Look for signs of increased participation in ministry or for new ministries in their beginning stages

• Be aware of previously not-involved parishioners, and be mindful of ways to keep them connected in the future

• If you did the ME25, communicate your scores to parishioners and help them embrace their responsibil-ity for contributing to engagement over time

B. Create celebration and recognition opportunities

• Celebrate with your engagement team, and acknowledge their contributions to this initiative; hear their joys and ideas for the future, and plan a meeting to discuss these soon

• Keep engagement front and center in the bulletin and posters/strengths wall display/ongoing witnesses/references by priests and deacons in their homilies

C. Conduct a S.W.O.T. or Appreciative Process to discern next steps for your community

• At a (likely extended) engagement team meeting, (perhaps in conjunction with other parish leaders) look at where your parish is at present in relationship to engagement, and explore possibilities for the coming year

• Use a S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis or an Appreciative Process (Dis-cover, Dream, Discern, Design) to look at where you are, where you want to go, and how you will get there


Samples in This Manual for Step Four:

C. Conduct a S.W.O.T. or Appreciative Process to discern next steps for strengths in your parish

• IV: C-1 S.W.O.T. analysis outline

• IV: C-2 Putting Your Plan Together worksheet


☙ I: A-1 !Who, What, Why and How Worksheet

WHO WHAT (Role/Ministry) WHY(Focus)

HOW (Method)

Example : Fr. Ron, Lisa, Maureen

Pastor and Key Staff Mem-bers

Need their support to roll out implementation plan, can help motivate other key leaders

½ staff Summit retreat covering engagement re-search and ties to Catholic theology and pastoral practice


☙ I: B-1! Parish Leadership Summit Invitation Sample

Dear

It is an exci-ng -me in the life of Immaculate Heart of Mary! I would like to invite you to offer your gi>s in ministry in a special and unique project, one that will have las-ng impact on individuals and on our community for years to come.

Some of you may have know that our Parish Pastoral Council and Stewardship Commission have been reading and study-‐ing a fascina-ng book called “Growing an Engaged Church.” You may have heard one of the members of these groups talking about the importance of belonging, and how we believe our parish is already engaged in many ways. Now, we would like you to explore these important things with us. We value all you give to our parish community through your ministry here, and we know you have much to share with us as we begin to chart our course toward a more engaged fu-‐ture together.

I would invite you to come to a mee-ng on December 12 at 8 p.m. in Heritage East. At the mee-ng, we’ll describe in de-‐tail the engagement process, and I’ll explain the many ways we hope you will be able to contribute to a special planning and implementa-on team if you believe that is something you have -me to be part of. If you are willing to aUend this

mee-ng, please call or email Leisa Anslinger at 388.4093 or [email protected]; if you are interested or willing to serve but are unable to aUend this mee-ng, please contact Leisa and she will describe the ways in which you could become in-‐volved in this important process.

As we enter into the season of Advent, let me take this moment to thank you for all of the ways in which you help to make Christ’s presence visible and ac-ve in our parish and for those in need throughout the world. May God con-nue to bless you and our parish community as together we become “strong in faith, alive in spirit.”


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

☙ I: B-2! Parish Leadership Engagement Summit Outline

Gathering your parish leaders is a key moment in building engagement within your community.

To create a summit for your leaders, form a summit team and iden-fy a facilitator who will be willing to prepare by studying the concepts of engagement and who will be able to share the informa-on with enthusiasm. The facilitator should be encouraged to study Growing an Engaged Church with the Catholic study guide, and to Sample I: C-‐1, which places the research within our Catholic context.

The outline below includes sugges-ons for a -meline and for specific content for each por-on of the day. The team and facilitator should adjust the -meline to meet your needs, and will coordinate invita-ons, hospitality, room environment, refreshments, set up and clean up.

Gathering and Opening Prayer(Approximately 20 minutes)

Have nametags for par-cipants; open with prayer and housekeeping details for the day.

Welcome(Approximately 10 minutes)

If at all possible, the pastor should aUend this day and welcome all who are giving of their -me, not only for this day, but in ministry within the parish. If the pastor is unable to be present, a key leader should welcome and thank par-cipants.

Session One: The Importance of Belonging(Approximately 45 minutes for the explana-on of engagement, with 30 minutes of sharing to follow, perhaps with a break between the presenta-on and the sharing.)

If at all possible, use the video of Msgr. Bill Hanson which you can acquire at www.CatholicStrengths-‐Engagement.org. If playing a video is not possible, the facilitator tells the story of engagement, offering a personal example or using the story of Jeff and Tricia in Growing an Engaged Church (p. 15-‐17), Mark’s story Forming Generous Hearts (p. 11-‐12) or the story of Jennifer in Turning Hearts to Christ (p. 14-‐15). Included in this session will be the descrip-on of the three types of parish-‐ioners, Engaged, Not Engaged, and Ac-vely Disen-‐gaged, and the impact of engagement on leading people to spiritual commitment. Following the pres-‐enta-on by the facilitator, par-cipants will be invited to share their story of belonging within the parish at their tables/in their groups.

Break




Session Two: The Strengths Connec?on(Approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour)

If possible, use the video of Stephanie Moore on strengths which you can acquire at www.Catholic-‐Strengths-‐Engagement.org. If video is not possible, the facilitator or another will provide an overview of strengths and the connec-on to en-‐gagement of “in my parish, I have the opportunity to do what I do best.” Whoever facilitates this presen-‐ta-on should have done StrengthsFinder and have read the theological summary in the Strengths Im-‐plementa-on Guide (Sample 1: C-‐1) as background.

Break/Lunch

Session Three: A Look Ahead(Approximately 45 minutes)

The facilitator (with preparatory help from parish leaders) will describe the process that the parish will undertake to enhance or foster engagement. The involvement of the par-cipants in the Taking Stock session and any other opportuni-es for involvement will be described, and an es-mated -meline will be shared. This will be the perfect -me to ask for mem-‐bers for any guiding groups (communica-ons, strengths, engagement coordina-on, etc.).

Closing Prayer This could include a re-‐commitment to ministry with pastor blessing, or the day might conclude with par-‐-cipants aUending a regular parish celebra-on of Mass (for instance, the day could be -med to con-‐clude with the Saturday evening an-cipatory Sunday celebra-on).


http://www.Catholic-Strengths-Engagement.org

http://www.Catholic-Strengths-Engagement.org

☙ I: B-3! Engagement and Strengths References

Engagement and Strengths References and Connections

Winseman, Albert L., Growing an Engaged Church, Gallup Press, 2006, 87-91Winseman, Albert L, Donald O. Clifton, and Curt Liesveld, Living Your Strengths, Catholic Edition, Second Edi-tion, ix – 13, 105-112 (need second edition page citations and date)Rath, Tom, and Barry Conchie, Strengths Based Leadership, Gallup Press, 2008, 21-27Anslinger, Leisa, Turning Hearts to Christ, Twenty-Third Publications, 2010, 1-20

☙ I: B-4! Growing an Engaged Church! ! Catholic Study Guide

Growing an Engaged Church by Albert L. Winseman (New York: Gallup Press, 2007)

Introduction(Pages 1-10) The data illustrating declining numbers within churches has been corroborated and further de-tailed in the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (http://religions.pewforum.org/reports). What is your parish’s experience? Are you seeing a decline in membership or a change in your parish’s demographics? What has been your response to date? (This is not a time to strategize; this is instead a moment in which to es-tablish the context for your study.)(Pages 10-13) Read Matthew 13: 1-9, the parable of the sower and the seed. Recall and share a moment in your life in which an experience at your parish helped you to be open to hearing the message of the Gospel in a new or deeper way.

Chapter One: Jeff and Tricia’s Search for a Church(Pages 15-22) What was your experience of coming to your parish? How long have you been a member? What helped you to become connected? (Pages 22-32) What words do people typically use to describe your parish? Warm and inviting? Cold and im-personal? Big, small, child-centered, old, young? In what ways do these words seem to really describe your experience within your parish? Do some seem to have a different perception of your parish than you?

Chapter Two: What Really Counts(Pages 33-38) Has your parish undertaken a survey or census in the last ten years? If so, what was included and what was discovered as a result? Did any practice change or develop as a result?(Pages 38-43) What current parish practices address the outcomes of life satisfaction, inviting, giving, and serv-ing?


http://religions.pewforum.org/reports

http://religions.pewforum.org/reports

(Pages 43-46) In later chapters, we will study the effects of belonging, offering one’s true gifts, and spiritual commitment. For the moment, share your initial reactions to the three myths and research findings described in these pages.

Chapter Three: Spiritual Commitment by the Numbers(Pages 47-52) Without sharing your responses, look at the list of statements on page 52. What would be your response to each, on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree?(Pages 52-64) What experiences in your life stand out as moments in which you exhibited or grew in the char-acteristics listed in this section?

Chapter Four: The Engagement Imperative(Pages 65-72) How do the descriptions of the engaged, not engaged and actively disengaged fit with your ex-perience in your parish? (Page 72-78) What is your experience of belonging within your parish? What drew you in and helped you to feel that you belong? Are you still deepening your relationship with your parish? What affect does belonging have on your life?

Chapter Five: Measuring Engagement: “What do I Get?” and “What do I Give?”(Pages 79-87) If your group includes only members who have been part of the parish for five or more years, do you know what the current welcoming process is for new members? What do you hear from newcomers? Do they feel welcome and needed?How might you answer the question “What do I get?” in relationship to your parish?(Pages 87-94) How would you answer the “What do I give?” question in relationship to your parish? How does your parish offer people the opportunity to do what they do best? How do people know the care of one another and of their leaders? How is meaningful service acknowledged?

Chapter Six: Measuring Engagement: “Do I Belong?” and “How Can We Grow?”(Pages 95-105) How do you know that you belong within your parish? What structures provide parishioners the opportunity to offer their ideas or concerns? How are decisions made? How is this communicated to parishioners?(Pages 96-111) How do your current opportunities to learn and grow also act as opportunities to help people feel that they belong?

Chapter Seven: Inside an Engaged Church(Pages 113-123) Read the story of St. Gerard Majella Parish. What is your reaction (it might be helpful to know that St. Gerard’s current level of engagement is 53%)? Visit St. Gerard’s website at www.stgmajella.org. How does their experience inspire your ministry within your parish?

Chapter Eight: Strategies for Improving Engagement

(Pages 125-140) Based on the study and experience of others who are fostering engagement, Dr. Winseman suggests three things you can work on for the greatest immediate impact. How might you:Clarify expectations of members?Help your members discover what they do best?Create or increase participation in small groups?


http://www.stgmajella.org

http://www.stgmajella.org

Chapter Nine: The Dynamics of Engagement(Pages 141-152) Are there specific actions that are consistently emerging in your conversations? If so, record them here, and carry them over into your engagement plan. If not, begin to discern possible actions in relation-ship to the information contained within this book. Are there other people who should be involved in these discussions? If so, who will invite them, how will they be brought into the dialogue, and what do you hope will be the result of a continuing or expanded conversation?

Chapter Ten: Preparing the Soil(Pages 153-159) How would you describe your reaction to this study? In what ways have your perceptions of parish life changed? In what ways has the study challenged or affirmed your perceptions of your parish?

☙ I: C-1 ! Catholic Theological, Systemic, and Pastoral ! ! Foundations for Engagement

Part 1: Theological Foundations

Think of the people in the gospels who encountered and were encountered by Jesus: the small group of disciples who accompanied him from town to town; Martha, Mary and Laza-rus; the Samaritan woman at the well. Each found him or herself feeling a deep connection to Jesus and, having met him, came to believe in him. Their belief shaped their lives; they openly shared their faith with others; they were transformed as people, and those around them were touched as a result. “Each of these people, touched by Christ Jesus, responded to him and so became part of the story of salvation.” (GMD, 1)

Their experience is echoed in the story of the early Christian communities, and in our par-ish communities in the present. The life of Christian men and women who have a deep feel-ing of belonging to Christ and to one another is compelling; just as those who came first into relationship with Jesus came to believe in him and drew others to him as a result, so, too, those who are deeply rooted in a relationship with Christ believe and draw others to Christ today.

Social Science Meets Catholic Theology

Perhaps then it should come as no surprise when research by social scientists affirms the role of a strong community in bringing people to spiritual commitment and in drawing peo-ple to Christ. Studies published by the Gallup Organization detail the importance of parish-ioner engagement a deep sense of belonging within the parish, and the factors that lead to such engagement among members. In fact, Dr. Albert L. Winseman, author of Growing an


Engaged Church, states, “It is belonging (engagement) that leads to believing (commit-ment).” (Winseman, 2007)

Catholic leaders who desire to foster engagement within their parishes will do well to study Growing an Engaged Church to discover the factors that lead to engagement and to consider the systemic implications of the Gallup research. A study guide is provided within this resource for that purpose.

It will be beneficial to explore theological foundations as we begin to consider engagement as a lens through which to consider all that we experience in Catholic parish life.

Disciples

Each of us is called to be a follower of Jesus Christ, a disciple. Disciples are learning the ways of the Master, who teaches us to share God’s love with others through the way we live. When people are engaged in their faith communities, they are drawn deeply into the ways of discipleship, transforming the world as members of Christ’s living Body.

Body of Christ

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6: 3-4) Being drawn into Christ’s death and new life through baptism, we become members of Christ’s body, acting in the world as Christian disciples. Certainly this holds true within the parish, which is “without doubt the most important locus in which the Christian community is formed and expressed.” (OHWB, 117)

Baptismal and Eucharistic Spirituality

“We seek to form parishes that are vitally alive in faith. These communities will provide a parish climate and an array of activities and resources designed to help adults more fully understand and live their faith. We seek to form adults who actively cultivate a lively baptismal and eucharistic spirituality with a powerful sense of mission and apostolate. Nourished by word, sacrament and communal life, they will witness and share the Gospel in their homes, neighborhoods, places of work, and centers of culture.” (OHWB, 17)

Such a “lively baptismal and eucharistic spirituality” grasps the immense mystery of Christ’s self-giving in the Church’s sacramental life, even while the individual grows in the


awareness and grace of the sacramental life throughout the span of life. (see CCC,1253) The community of faith is an integral part of this process, as “the Christian community is in herself living catechesis.” (GDC, 141; NDC, 19C)

Evangelization

We have already begun to explore the relationship between discipleship, engagement and evangelization. In essence, the studies indicate that when people deeply belong within their parish community, they come to belong to Christ and to believe in him with the totality of the persons they are. There is a dramatically increased likelihood that people who are engaged will invite others to parish functions, and once within an engaged parish, those who are invited are likely to stay and to grow as spiritually committed people themselves. (Winseman, 2007) (see Go and Make Disciples, 7-8)

Stewardship

When people grow in a spirituality of stewardship, they come to know that all they are and have and will be are God’s. They respond in gratitude and with generosity and their participation in the community of faith becomes an expression of who they are as disciples. Their presence within the community at the Sunday Eucharist and throughout the months and years of their lives is a witness to the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit; they are nourished and sent forth from the celebration of the Mass as people who know themselves as Christ’s body, and they live with a deep awareness of their responsibility to imitate their Lord Jesus Christ in freely giving of themselves in service to others. Such living stewardship transforms the parish community in time, and enhancing engagement strengthens the parish’s fostering of discipleship.

The Good Soil

In Growing an Engaged Church, Dr. Winseman uses the parable of the good soil to illustrate the effect of engagement in the community and in the hearts of people. In fostering engagement within our parishes, we are preparing the soil of the community, leading people to open their minds and hearts to the depths of the Gospel.


Part 2: Engagement in Catholic Parish Life: Systemic Foundations

Building engagement in Catholic parish life calls pastoral leaders to examine current prac-tices through the lens of this critical sense of belonging.

Studying the evidence within Growing an Engaged Church, it quickly becomes apparent that this is not a programmatic approach, but rather a framework for systemic change.

Small but Substantive Shifts

The shifts to which the engagement study lead are often small, but substantive. In most cases it is not so much that we change everything or most things, but rather, we look to our current practices for ways in which to enhance the engaging potential within them. In con-trast to many programmatic approaches, the advice of experienced leaders in fostering en-gagement is that the parish determines one or two areas of parish life upon which to focus at one time, rather than attempting to make all possible changes at once, and to build upon the positive as well as remediating areas in need of attention.

Measurement

This is where measurement becomes an important factor. As pastoral leaders we might have some ideas about parishioner perceptions, but until we measure through the engage-ment survey, we cannot know for certain if our assessment is accurate. Because the en-gagement survey (the ME25 – ‘ME for Member Engagement, ‘25’ for the number of items on the survey) is based upon the engagement research, parish leaders are provided accurate feedback on the essential factors that lead to engagement. Leaders may then identify areas of greatest strength and those that need particular attention, with the assurance that such action will bear great fruit. Rather than adopting a practice based upon the limited input of a few key parishioners, often “insiders” who possess a certain bias simply based upon their experience and standing within the community, with ME25 results in hand, leaders are able to consider the input of a statistically valid measurement of parishioner perceptions, hopes and dreams. Subsequently, changes or additions to parish practice will be based on objective information and can be communicated to parishioners in this light.

The ME25 requires a substantial investment of the parish’s financial resources, as well as time and commitment on the part of the pastor or a key staff or parishioner leader who will attend the Leadership Excellence training that is tied to the ME25. Because of this, some parishes will study the engagement research, begin to foster engagement in the ways they


find appropriate and possible, while budgeting to invest in the survey and leadership train-ing for a future fiscal year. This resource takes such a strategy into account and is, in fact, the premise upon which the materials contained within this kit is based.

Part Three: Engagement in Catholic Parish Life: Pastoral Foundations

The essential concepts contained in the engagement study are simple and have the poten-tial for profound impact in our pastoral practice. We find ourselves building on what is working rather than dwelling on what is not; we find freedom to speak openly, to dream boldly and to find hope in Christ and in the community of which we are a part.

Community as a Relationship

Reading Growing an Engaged Church, we find ourselves understanding that when people come into a parish, they are entering into a potential relationship. Viewing the parish in this light helps us to grasp the impact of the feeling of engagement. In fact, one of the transformative aspects of engagement is that this research-verified dynamic of communal life is expressed as a feeling or a sense. People know engagement when they feel it or sense it; they are also conscious of its absence when such is true of a parish’s life. People readily feel growth in engagement and respond accordingly, and while we can never take engage-ment for granted and expect it to grow or be sustained without attention, there is a certain momentum that builds as engagement increases.

Every Person is of Value, the Community is of Value

In an engaged parish, individuals perceive that every person is of value and that the com-munity is of value in their lives. This value on the person does not stand in contradiction to the importance of worship in the community, but rather helps people to be pre-disposed to gather for communal worship with open minds and hearts, ready to be transformed by Christ, sure of the strength and the support of the community. As Catholic parishes be-come larger or are drawn into clusters of parishes that share pastoral leadership, the impli-cations of such value are certain to become more apparent and of greater importance.


☙ II: A-1!Engagement Implementation Team Description

Primary purpose: to introduce and manage your initial exploration and introduction of engagement within your parish.

Membership: 4-6 people who have a sincere desire to bring engagement to our parish. These people should include a few who know many in the parish, one or two who are good organizers, and perhaps one or two who could act as the connecting points between Parish Pastoral Council rep, staff liaison, marketing team, and any others who need to be aware of what is happening, how and when (these people could be members of the marketing team who act as connecting points for the process).

•This group will concentrate on the logistics of bringing an awareness of and desire to grow in engagement to our parish:

•Work with the marketing team to coordinate the timeline;

•Create and coordinate a strategic engagement plan for the parish

Engagement Marketing Team:

Primary purpose: to enhance communications in general and specifically, to promote priority events or initia-tives such as our desire to grow in engagement

Membership: 6-8 parishioners with a staff or Parish Pastoral Council liaison. The group could include people with professional expertise in design, PR, marketing, communications, printing, etc.

At first this group will need to consider the current means of communication at our parish and assess the effec-tiveness of those means: are there ways to improve what is currently being done or how it is being carried out? Are additional means of communication needed or desired? How might current communications vehicles be used to promote specific events or initiatives?

In relationship to engagement, the group will need to be given an overview of the strengths process (it would be good for each member to do StrengthsFinder) and the projected timeline for introduction of engagement and strengths to the parish; and participation in the Leadership Retreat. This group then will:

•Determine the timeline for communications to the parish;

•Develop the message track, write the primary texts, and design printed and/or web materials;

•Coordinate communication with bulletin coordinator, parish newsletter, website, announcements, verbal promotions/invitations, etc.!


☙ II: B-1! Talent Grid


N A M E T H E M E 1 T H E M E 2 T H E M E 3 T H E M E 4 T H E M E 5

☙ II: B-2! Strengths Based Leadership Domain Grid

Execu&ng Influencing Rela&onship Building Strategic ThinkingACHIEVER ACTIVATOR ADAPTABILITY ANALYTICAL

ARRANGER COMMAND DEVELOPER CONTEXT

BELIEF COMMUNICATION CONNECTEDNESS FUTURISTIC

CONSISTENCY COMPETITION EMPATHY IDEATION

DELIBERATIVE MAXIMIZER HARMONY INPUT

DISCIPLINE SELF-‐ASSURANCE INCLUDER INTELLECTION

FOCUS SIGNIFICANCE INDIVIDUALIZATION LEARNER

RESPONSIBILITY WOO POSITIVITY STRATEGIC

RESTORATIVE RELATOR

(Rath and Conchie, Strengths Based Leadership, New York, Gallup Press, 2008)

Your Team’s Leadership Domains:

Execu&ng Influencing Rela&onship Building Strategic Thinking


☙ II: C-1! Sample Vision and Mission Template SampleExample: “Catholic Strengths & Engagement Community”

www.catholicstrengths-engagement.com

!!

Example: “Catholic Strengths & Engagement Community”


!!





Vision (An actual picture of the future state of what can be… with a short, clear, vivid, concise and compelling statement of our dream for the future state of the church)

Example: Our Vision is a unique connected-‐community of Catholic Leaders who become the “growing medium”, the “good soil” fostering the church and the world to say “Yes” to God in a new and compelling way.

Our Vision of saying “Yes” to God:

• to Equip effective sowers of the Word. • to Germinate the seeds of each Graced relationship to God. • to Enrich the soil of transformative belonging in faith communities. • to Harvest the growth of evangelization, community, liturgy, and service in the

Church.





Church.





Church.





Church.


http://www.catholicstrengths-engagement.com

http://www.catholicstrengths-engagement.com

Mission Statement (Current focus of this group…Why we exist, our core purpose,

our iden-fy, what we hope to so at the most basic level)

Example: To intenDonally foster community engagement and individual strengths devel-‐opment throughout the enDre Catholic community by creaDng a centralized Catholic re-‐source that will provide all (parishes, dioceses, etc.) the access and resources to plan and implement an Engagement and Strengths-‐ based strategy grounded in Catholic theology and ecclesiology.

This resource will be a “ connected community” which will:

• Equip all levels of the Catholic church with a framework to increase the overall sense of belonging of Catholic parishioners in order that they can deepen their spiritual relationship to each other and to Christ and become active members of the Body of Christ.

• Provide a centralized Catholic resource for planning, information and strategy that will give the tools they need in order to accomplish the overall mission.

• Create a “connected community” of practitioners that can share best practices to increase overall engagement.






















Strategic

Objec?ves

Ac?on Steps Resources Needed Who / Time

frame

OBJECTIVE #1

Create a core leadership team for new “Catholic Strengths & Engagement Community”.


☙ II: C-2! Sample Team Charter

Members:

Purpose (Why we are here)Purpose (Why we are here)Purpose (Why we are here)Purpose (Why we are here)

Responsibili?es Goal 1

Who When Measurement

Goal 2


Goal 3


Measures (How will we display results)Measures (How will we display results)Measures (How will we display results)Measures (How will we display results)

Ground RulesGround Rules How will we run mee?ngsHow will we run mee?ngs


How will we approach work:

How will we treat one another:

How will we make decisions:

How will we handle mee-ngs:

How will we approach work:

How will we treat one another:

How will we make decisions:

How will we handle mee-ngs:

When and how o>en?

Who will be included?

Who will be responsible for the Agenda? When?

Who will facilitate?

Who will take mee-ng notes?

Who will distribute mee-ng notes?

When and how o>en?

Who will be included?

Who will be responsible for the Agenda? When?

Who will facilitate?

Who will take mee-ng notes?

Who will distribute mee-ng notes?


Interdependencies (Who are we connected to and who will connect)Interdependencies (Who are we connected to and who will connect)Who are we interconnected with Who on the CSEC founding team is responsible for connec-ng

to this en-ty?

Success Factors for a High Performance TeamSuccess Factors for a High Performance Team


Results

• A clear, important, and accepted purpose statement.• Understood and accepted short and long term team goals.• Regular reviews of and discussions about team results.

Commitment

• Understood and accepted team member objectives.• Understood ground rules for working together.• Regular reviews of team members’ results and contribution to teams success.• Understood and accepted bene>its of participating on the team.

Process

• Understood roles and responsibilities. • Ef>icient method for reviewing the effectiveness of work and team process.• Understood and accepted ground rules for sharing information and knowledge.• Agreed upon and documented actions and deadlines.• An effective process for making team decisions.

Communica?on

• Equal opportunity to participate and offer opinions.• Understood and accepted ground rules for resolving con>lict.• Openness to new ideas and opinions.

Trust

• Mistakes viewed as learning opportunity.• Willingness to ask other team members for help.• Difference in talent and strengths are leveraged rather than discouraged.

Results

• A clear, important, and accepted purpose statement.• Understood and accepted short and long term team goals.• Regular reviews of and discussions about team results.

Commitment

• Understood and accepted team member objectives.• Understood ground rules for working together.• Regular reviews of team members’ results and contribution to teams success.• Understood and accepted bene>its of participating on the team.

Process

• Understood roles and responsibilities. • Ef>icient method for reviewing the effectiveness of work and team process.• Understood and accepted ground rules for sharing information and knowledge.• Agreed upon and documented actions and deadlines.• An effective process for making team decisions.

Communica?on

• Equal opportunity to participate and offer opinions.• Understood and accepted ground rules for resolving con>lict.• Openness to new ideas and opinions.

Trust

• Mistakes viewed as learning opportunity.• Willingness to ask other team members for help.• Difference in talent and strengths are leveraged rather than discouraged.


☙ II: C-3! Sample Plan and Timeline Template

Season/Date Process Step Ac?on Point Person(s)

Three to Four Months

Step One – Find and Form Sowers from Your Leaders

Iden-fy and Invite key leaders

Create educa-onal opportuni-es to learn about the key concepts of en-‐gagement, with theological and pastoral connec-ons

Approximately three months

Step Two – Till the Soil and Prepare for Plan?ng

Iden-fy and invite engagement team members

Build a strengths based team

Create vision and mission statements, a team charter, and strategy plan with goals and objec-ves

Review your plan with your pastor and pastoral leadership

Three to Five Months

Step Three – Plant and Water the Seeds of Engagement, Dis-‐cipleship and Stewardship

Introduce parishioners to the impor-‐tance of belonging

“Take Stock” of all that Is part of the life of your parish

Development of strategic engagement plan

Two to Three Months,

and Ongoing

Step Four: Harvest Your Crops and Plan for New Seasons

Observe signs that engagement is build-‐ing and be aUen-ve to new opportuni-‐-es to grow in engagement

Create celebra-on and recogni-on op-‐portuni-es

Conduct a S.W.O.T. or Apprecia-ve Process to discern next steps for your community


☙ III: A-1! “In Plain English” Exercise

Create statements that capture the meaning of each of the 12 Items of Engagement “in plain English” to help you talk with parishioners about this, or as you prepare for the ME25. We have provided an example or two for each of the twelve statements below. Use the blank table to create your own statements.

E N G A G E M E N T I T E M “ P L A I N E N G L I S H ” S T A T E M E N T

ME01 “As a member of my parish, I know what is expected of me.”

“So what do I have to do to be a member?”

“We need to know what we expect of each other in order to be a place where each of us feels we be-long.”

ME02 “In my parish, my spiritual needs are met.” “What am I getting out of Church?”

“The parish is a place in which each of us find spiri-tual support.”

ME03 “In my parish, I regularly have the oppor-tunity to do what I do best.”

“In the parish, I’m a player and not a spectator.”

“We need to be able to discover our talents and of-fer them to God and others.”

ME04 “In the last month, I have received recog-nition or praise from someone in my parish.”

“In the parish there’s always someone to cheer me on for what I do.”

“We need our service to be recognized so we know that we are of value here.”

ME05 “The spiritual leaders in my parish seem to care about me as a person.”

“The priests reach me when they preach.”

“Our leaders -- priests, deacons, parishioner leaders and staff -- strengthen our parish by telling us we matter through their care.”

ME06 “There is someone in my parish who en-courages my spiritual development.”

“Someone here helps me to be me.”

“We know we matter when we have someone who encourages our life of faith.”

ME07 “As a member of my parish, my opinion seems to count.”

“They ask my opinion and it makes a difference.”

“If I really belong, I need to know that my opinions are important to the parish.”


E N G A G E M E N T I T E M “ P L A I N E N G L I S H ” S T A T E M E N T

ME08 “The mission or purpose of my parish makes me feel my participation is important.”

“In the parish I’m part of something bigger than myself.”

“It takes each of us to participate in order for us to be the community we can be.”

ME09 “The members of my parish are commit-ted to spiritual growth.”

“The people of the parish really seem to put God first.”

“If I really belong, I will look around and see others like myself.”

ME10 “Aside from family members, I have a best friend in my parish.”

“I miss my church friends during the week.”

“I know there is someone in my parish whom I can turn to, in joy or in need.”

ME11 “In the last six months, someone in my parish has talked to me about the progress of my spiritual growth.”

“Parishioners help me know “how I’m doing” with God.”

“Someone in my parish cares about me enough to ask about my spiritual life. That is a sign that we are growing together.”

ME12 “In my parish I have opportunities to learn and grow.”

“There’s a lot of good stuff happening here.”

“My parish offers ways for me to learn about our faith and grow as a result.”


☙ III: A-1 “In Plain English” Blank Table E N G A G E M E N T I T E M “ P L A I N E N G L I S H ” S T A T E M E N T

ME01 “As a member of my parish, I know what is expected of me.”

ME02 “In my parish, my spiritual needs are met.”

ME03 “In my parish, I regularly have the oppor-tunity to do what I do best.”

ME04 “In the last month, I have received recog-nition or praise from someone in my parish.”

ME05 “The spiritual leaders in my parish seem to care about me as a person.”

ME06 “There is someone in my parish who en-courages my spiritual development.”

ME07 “As a member of my parish, my opinion seems to count.”

ME08 “The mission or purpose of my parish makes me feel my participation is important.”

ME09 “The members of my parish are commit-ted to spiritual growth.”

ME10 “Aside from family members, I have a best friend in my parish.”

ME11 “In the last six months, someone in my parish has talked to me about the progress of my spiritual growth.”

ME12 “In my parish I have opportunities to learn and grow.”

*All Engagement Items are the copyrighted content of the Gallup Organization and are meant to be used in conjunction with a study of Growing an Engaged Church, Albert L. Winseman, Gallup Press, 2006


☙ III: A-2! Sample Bulletin Announcements

How has belonging made a difference in your life?

When we feel we truly belong within our parish, we know the care of Christ through one another; we share in each other’s joys and sorrows; we support each other’s growth in faith; we more readily share our faith in Christ with others and invite them to parish events.

As our parish leaders continue to study the research on parishioner engagement, a deep feeling of belonging within our parish, we hope to learn from your experience. Do you feel that you truly belong here? If so, what has helped you to feel this way? If not, what prevents you from becoming more strongly connected here? Send your thoughts or ideas to {insert contact information here} as we continue to journey together.


InPlain

English!

Gallup Survey Statement

EO 4.

Commentary on what this state-

ment means

% of 609 St. Gerard con-gregation mem-

bers who strongly agree

% of 3132 American con-gregation mem-

bers who strongly agree

“In the parish there’s always

someone to cheer me on for what I

do.”

“In the last month, I have re-ceived recogni-tion or praise

from someone in my congrega-

tion.”

This statement identifies

each parishioner as a “cheerleader for other parish-

ioners, their goals, and accomplish-

ments..

28% 33%

We invite your input: If you agree or strongly agree with survey statement EO 4, tell us how parishioners have affirmed you

here at St. Gerard. If you disagree with statement EO4, tell us more….










! “They&devoted&themselves&to&the&breaking&of&the&bread&and&prayers.”&Acts&2:42.&!The Gallup Organization has learned that these survey statements, if strongly

agreed with, give us a way to measure and promote the most effective causes of spiritual health in our parish. These bulletins serve to inform our parish of the meaning behind these statements, and to develop ways!to increase the number of those who “strongly

agree” with them.

☙ III: A-3!! Four Questions for a Well-Developed ! ! ! Three Minute Witness:

1. I first heard about strengths (or Living Your Strengths) when:

2. My [insert emotion that applies: negative/uneasy/hesitation or wonder] reaction was:

3. What changed my mind was:

4. Strengths has benefited my life by:

☙ III: A-4!! Engagement Experience ExerciseUse the following questions to help your leaders and parishioners appreciate their experience and impact of engagement in your par-ish. Perhaps you could do one each month at parish meetings, or place these in your bulletin as an exercise for the whole parish. To foster deeper understanding among leaders, invite them to create additional or alternative questions for each of the items.

ME1 - As a member of my congregation, I know what is expected of me.1. A time when a relationship with a particular parishioner helped me to fulfill a religious expectation was...

2. Giving to my parish became clearer to me when…

3. A time when I moved from “obligation” to “gratitude” was...

4. A time when I learned I had to “pitch in” at church was...

ME2 - In my congregation my spiritual needs are met. 1. A time when I invited someone to my parish because I felt blessed by being a member was...

2. A time when I contributed to my parish because of all that I have received from it was...

3. A time when my parish brought light to my darkness was...

4. A time when I got far more from serving than I gave was...

ME3 - In my parish I regularly have the opportunity to do what I do best.1. A time when someone in my parish saw a gift in me and invited me to share in the parish was...

2. A time when I stopped being a spectator and started being a participant in my parish was...

3. A time when I completely lost track of time doing what I do best in my parish was...


4. A time when I knew my service in my parish was exactly the right fit for me was...

ME4 - In the last month I have received recognition or praise from someone in my parish.

1. A time when the affirmation I received in my parish made me want to come back was...

2. A time when my gift was recognized and I felt like giving more was...

3. A time when I was grateful for someone else’s gratitude was...

4. A time when the recognition I received couldn’t hold a candle to the joy of my serving was...

ME5 - The spiritual leaders in my parish seem to care about me as a person.1. A time when I invited someone to experience the caring of the leaders in my parish was...

2. A time I gave because I really felt cared for by my parish leaders was...

3. A time I wanted to share my gratitude with the leaders in my parish for caring about me was...

4. A time when my leaders caring for me made me want to care more for others was...

ME6 - There is someone in my congregation who encourages my spiritual growth.

1. A time when someone invited me to give input on an upcoming liturgy was...

2. A time when someone helped me to be accountable for my spiritual behavior was...

3. A time when someone thanked me for helping them to grow was...

4. A time when someone recognized my spiritual growth and asked me to serve in ministry was...

ME7 - As a member of my congregation, my opinions seem to count.1. A time when someone asked me what I thought about something was...

2. A time when I was asked to share on giving my financial treasure was...

3. A time when I received individual response on my opinion was...

4. A time when my opinion affected ministry was...

ME8– The mission or purpose of my congregation makes me feel my participation is important.

1. A time when I was inspired to join a ministry by the commitment of others in my parish was...


2. A time when I gave sacrificially to support the work of my parish was...

3. A time when I was grateful and proud to be part of my parish because of what it does...

4. A time when I worked my heart out because my parish’s work is so important was…

ME9 - The other members of my congregation are committed to spiritual growth.1. A time when I was invited to join in praying for others was...

2. A time when I noticed others sharing their spiritual gifts was...

3. A time when I recognized others thanking God by giving back was...

4. A time when I recognized others in my parish taking risks based on faith was...

ME10 - Aside from family members, I have a best friends in my congregation...1. A time when I was invited to join in praying for others was...

2. A time when I gave help to a family because we are church friends was...

3. A time when I felt grateful to care so deeply about the people around me in church was...

4. A time when I served in ministry and made a new close friend was...

ME11– In the last six months, someone in my congregation has talked to me about the progress of my spiritual growth...

1. A time when someone accepted my invitation to be part of a parish event was...

2. A time when someone invited me to give back to God with increase was...

3. A time when someone encouraged me to give out of gratitude was...

4. A time when someone asked me to use my talent to help out was…

ME12– In my parish I have opportunities to learn and grow...

1. A time when someone invited me to grow in my faith was...

2. A time when I grew in my stewardship generosity was...

3. A time when I was grateful to see an increase in my gratitude was...

4. A time when being accountable for my service led me to invite others to join me was...


☙ III: B-1!! “Taking Stock” Parish Gathering Outline

As you make a commitment to grow as an engaged parish, it will be important for you to take stock of the present state of life in your parish. This can be a wonderful opportunity to hear of members’ meaningful experiences within your parish, to celebrate all that is already contrib-uting to life within your parish, and to look toward the future together. It will be most benefi-cial to gather people in person for at least one session; parishioners can be invited to offer their ideas in writing if unable to attend; multiple sessions may be deemed appropriate; standing groups may be invited to collect their ideas and experiences at regular meetings, ei-ther in a self-directed manner or with a guest facilitator.

Once the ideas and experiences have been gathered, a person or group will take responsibil-ity for compiling the lists and stories for use in planning; stories may be shared (with the in-dividual’s permission) in written form, or through a lay witness opportunity. A parishioner leader might provide a verbal report of the ideas and stories that were gathered as your planning continues.

Preparation:

Prepare the place for the gathering with a simple prayer area, with candle, Bible, and litur-gical season color or plant. Ask a lector in advance to prepare the reading (Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23) and another to be prepared to read the quote from Go and Make Disciples. If possi-ble, as a minister of music to lead those gathered in an opening song. If this is not possible, simply invite people to gather in a prayerful spirit by reading the prayer to the Holy Spirit (included in this resource kit as a separate file) together. Invite one person to act as the prayer leader, to insure smooth transitions from one moment of prayer to the next.

Appoint one person as the Session Facilitator. This person will insure the smooth function-ing of the process and will act as host for the gathering. If possible, include nametags and refreshments (or invite people to bring a snack to share).


Prayer

Opening Prayer: Prayer to the Holy Spirit (see item #9 in this packet)

Leader: Let us sit and listen attentively to the Word of God.

Gospel reading: Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23

Leader: Our life together within our parish can be viewed as the soil that helps us to be open to life in Christ. We hope to become good soil upon which the seeds of faith and spiri-tual commitment may grow and flourish. It is good for us to be together at this time, to give God thanks for the blessing that our parish is, and to think about our future together as a faith community. We will take the opportunity here to listen to each other’s stories, to learn of the positive and influential role our parish plays in our lives. Through our experi-ence here together, may we recognize the presence of Christ within and among us.

In their pastoral letter on evangelization, our U.S. bishops speak of the importance of our shared stories of faith:

Reader:

Jesus set the world on fire, and that blaze goes on even today. There is the woman of Sa-maria who goes to get water; after she meets Jesus and feels his kindness, she opens her soul and her pain to him. Not only does she believe – she must tell others the Good News as well! And there are Jesus’ friends, the family of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus: the sisters would often welcome Jesus into their house; and when Lazarus died, Jesus wept, but then he put his tears aside and raised him. This caused many to believe. Each of these people, touched by Christ Jesus, responded to him and so became part of the story of salvation.

We have heard these and so many other gospel stories of Jesus Sunday after Sunday at church,, in our own reading and sharing of Scriptures, in the words mothers and fathers tell their children, in the private meditation of our prayer, and in the celebration of the sac-raments. We have become, through the power and truth of these stories, and through the free gift of grace, disciples of Jesus.


We know this is true of you: you have received the Spirit of Christ Jesus, which brings sal-vation and hope; your lives are a witness of faith. Whether you were baptized as a child or joined the Church as an adult, you have a story of faith. Whether you sincerely live your faith in quiet or have a great public ministry, you have a story of faith. Whether you have a grade-school knowledge of the Catechism or have a theological degree, you have a story of faith.

We all have – and are – stories of faith.

(From Go and Make Disciples, 1-2, 6, very slightly adapted)

Leader: As we prepare to share our stories together, let us join in the prayer that Jesus taught us, the prayer that has been on the lips of Christians for centuries. Our Father….

Session Facilitator:

Thank you for being part of this special and important moment in the life of our parish. As many of you may be aware, our parish leaders are studying the research on parishioner engagement that says that our lives together as a parish community have great bearing on the ways in which we grow as spiritually committed individuals.

As one part of this process, we are inviting people to share their stories of belonging within our parish. This gathering is one of a series of such gatherings {describe briefly the process within your parish}. Once our stories and ideas have been compiled, they will help our par-ish leaders to think about how they may build upon what is already wonderful and life-giving within our life together. We will also consider ideas for the future, so you will have an opportunity at this gathering to share any ideas that come to mind. We really do value your input, and are grateful for your participation.

Our process will be very simple. Each table has (or should appoint) a recorder. On your tables/at your places are sheets that have conversation starters and places for you to briefly record your story and any ideas that occur to you in relationship to our parish and the way we can increase or enhance a sense of belonging among members. We will take ap-proximately 10 minutes per person, so the groups are purposely being kept small; no more than four to a group. {if at tables you might divide into two groups at each table}. We will provide 2 minute warnings for each ten minute period to facilitate the smooth functioning of the group process. If an individual is finished before his or her ten minutes has passed,


take a few moments to jog down ideas, and if needed stretch your legs or quietly use the restroom.

{The process sheet for this conversation is included at the end of this file.}

When the sharing has concluded, invite all to pray the Lord’s Prayer and enjoy social time together.

Following this gathering and others like it, a compiled list of positive elements of your parish life will be developed. A separate group may study the list to formulate recommendations for building upon the positive attributes discovered, or the information may be returned to the pastoral council or engagement team for inclusion as part of your Engagement Plan.


Sharing Our StoriesWhen was a time when belonging within this parish (or an-other parish if an experience comes to mind) made a real difference in your life?

Did a particular ministry or person contribute to this expe-rience? (This could be any individual or group, formal or informal within the parish.)

****If time permits, respond to the following questions verbally or in writing ***

What do you believe is expected of parishioners here?

In what ways are you invited and encouraged to offer meaningful service? In what ways do you feel you have the opportunity to do what you do best?

What ideas come to mind to increase the ways in which people feel that the parish values each person and that everyone belongs?

We know this is true of you: you have received the Spirit of Christ Jesus, which brings salvaDon and hope; your lives are a witness of faith. Whether you were bap-‐Dzed as a child or joined the Church as an adult, you have a story of faith. Whether you sin-‐cerely live your faith in quiet or have a great public ministry, you have a story of faith. Whether you have a grade-‐school knowl-‐edge of the Catechism or have a theological degree, you have a story of faith.

We all have – and are – stories of faith!


☙ III: B-2!! 12 Items Exercise

Following your Taking Stock gatherings and any additional conversations among your parish leaders, make a list of any parish practices that seem to be contributing to engagement at present. Use the 12 Items of Engagement as your guide. These may be activities or ministries that were discussed during Taking Stock or at other times and situations.

Once you have created this snapshot of the present, begin to list the strategies that are being discussed through your growing awareness of the impact of engagement.

Continue to build this list in the coming months. As strategies are employed, be watchful for signs of their effectiveness; if you do the ME25, once your scores are ready, go back and add your scores on the 1-5 scale for each of the 12 items, so that you are able to assess the elements of parish life upon which you may build as you plan for engagement in the future.


☙ III: B-3!! 12 Items Exercise Sample

Engagement factors1996-2006 (Before) and 2006-2007(Now)

What follows is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather a beginning point for future consideration. The “Before” lists reflect things that have been in place and/or developed in the years 1996-2006; the “Now” lists reflect areas that are currently in development or are be-ing discussed.

E01: As a member of my parish, I know what’s expected of me.

Before: ways to help people understand the importance of the Sunday Eucharist and sacraments and to help them understand what takes place when we gather for liturgy; focus on stewardship – invitation/urging people to become involved, to give of themselves, to care for each other and for the poor in the world; ministries that have developed that offer many opportunities for people to give of themselves in the parish, in our local city and in our world; new parishioner orientation

Now: more intentional naming of what we expect of each other; examples: this year’s renewal piece; Fr. Jan’s com-mitment Sunday homily; strengthen new parishioner orientation to include mentoring

E02: In my parish, my spiritual needs are met.

Before: focus on celebrating the liturgy well; adoration; holy hour; seasonal evening prayer; etc.; sacramental prepa-ration; ministry formation and/or reflection; mission outreach and service; CRHP; SCCs; adult and family faith formation

Now: continue the above, but with a constant watch for ways to promote that will encourage and invite the Not Engaged

E03: In my parish, I regularly have the opportunity to do what I do best.

Before: encouragement for individuals to discern the gifts they have been given and to offer those gifts with gener-osity; multiplication of parishioner-driven ministries

Now: Strengths, plus the above, especially as we begin the shift to being a Strengths-based (grace-based) parish; be-gin with already-existing groups and new parishioners, then full rollout with all parish, encouraging parishioners to participate in a Strengths group

E04: In the last month, I have received recognition or praise from someone in my parish.


Before: a recognized need for attention; with slow progress (Thanksgiving card, clean-up of database, meeting of ministry contacts a year ago); HeartBeat articles featuring parishioners and ministries

Now: more intentional formation of ministry contacts/commission members so they will understand their leader-ship roles; and increased communication acknowledging/thanking parishioner contributions via ministries

E05: The spiritual leaders in my parish seem to care about me as a person.

Before: Health ministries and pastoral care; bereavement ministry; Helping Hands; support groups; St. Vincent DePaul; prayer circle; Healing Mass; care offered as people come forward and/or in conversation, informal support offered through ministry coordinators, varies depending on ministry

Now: continue the above; more intentional formation of ministry contacts/commission members so they will un-derstand and are well formed in their leadership roles; and increased emphasis on communication; helping parish-ioners understand who “leaders” are; include in new parishioner orientation

E06: There is someone in my parish who encourages my spiritual development.

Before: a by-product of CRHP; SCCs and life stage groups such as FATHERS team and MAGIC; individuals with pastor, parochial vicar, Sr. Carole, pastoral staff

Now: focus on small groups/life stages; more intentional formation of ministry contacts/commission members so they will understand their role

E07: As a member of my parish, my opinions seem to count.

Before: Long Range Planning processes; Parish Pastoral Council; Commissions; ministries

Now: above with increased communication explaining how decisions are made; focus on small groups/life stages; increased attention to raising up ministry beginnings and what ministries are doing; include in new parishioner ori-entation

E08: The mission or purpose of my parish makes me feel my participation is important.


Before: emphasis on stewardship and the importance of each person offering themselves in service; ministries

Now: same as above, but with increased understanding of Engagement, greater potential for targeting the Not En-gaged and new parishioners

E09: The other members of my parish are committed to spiritual growth.

Before: attention to celebrating the liturgy well; CRHP; SCCs; life stage groups such as FATHERS, MAGIC, Hope group, Support groups; Adult/family formation

Now: same as before, but with increased understanding of Engagement, greater potential for targeting the Not En-gaged; new parishioners

E10: Aside from family members, I have a best friend in my parish.

Before: belief in the importance of people being connected/involved

Now: focus on small groups/life stages; concentration on new parishioners, existing small groups

E11: In the last six months, someone in my parish has talked to me about the progress of my spiritual growth.

Before: belief in the importance of people being connected/involved; a by-product of CRHP, SCCs, life stage groups;

Now: focus on small groups/life stages; concentration on new parishioners, existing small groups

E12: In my parish, I have opportunities to learn and grow.

Before: Eucharist and sacraments; sacramental preparation; adult and family faith formation; bulletin; HeartBeat; website; CRHP; SCCs; life stage groups such as FATHERS, MAGIC, Hope Group, Support groups

Now: same as above, but with better understanding of ways to approach the Not Engaged; focus on small groups/life stages; new parishioners


☙ III: D-1!! Appreciative Process

Applying the Principles of Engagement : An Appreciative Process

Discover, Dream, Discern, Design

Use this worksheet to:

Discover what is currently contribu-ng to engagement and a climate of belonging in your par-‐ish

Dream about the future of engagement in your parish (what vision do you hold for the future?)

Discern the elements of a long-‐term plan for engagement within your parish

Design your plan, with point-‐persons, -meline, goals and objec-ves


What Do I Get?(How are parish-ioners’ needs iden-tiBied and met? How are expecta-tions clariBied and communicated?)

What Do I Give?(How are parish-ioners invited to offer themselves with meaning?)

Do I Belong?(How is your par-ish becoming a community in which people feel a deep sense of be-longing?)

How Do We Grow?(Who leads this and how?

Discover:What We Do Best

(Be Attentive)

Dream:What Might Be?

(Be Intelligent)

Discern:What Should Be?

(Be Realistic)

Design:What Will Be?

(Be Responsible)


☙ IV: C-1!! S.W.O.T. Analysis

• Strengths-‐ what’s working well now that we can leverage

• Weaknesses – what’s not working and what are the gaps?

• Opportunities – What do we see as potential. What does success look like?

• Threats – How do we incorporate the work that Gallup has done and create a clear and ongoing working relationship with them.


☙ IV: C-2!! Putting Your Plan Together

With your Taking Stock notes and 12 Items exercise notes as part of your Appreciative Process or S.W.O.T. analysis, it is time to put the pieces together to create a strategic engagement plan. If you have done the ME25, of course, your scores and what you discussed during your Impact seminar will be factored in as well. Think about the following things as you develop an annual Engagement Plan:

Where are you as a parish? What does your parish do best?

What vision do you hold out for each other?

How are you going to get from where you are to where you want to be? What concrete steps will you take?

A year from now, how will you know what you have accomplished (how will you measure it)?


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