Course Number: PAS 601 Course Title: Fundamentals of Pastoral Theology Term: Spring 2016

Transcription

1 Course Number: PAS 601 Course Title: Fundamentals of Pastoral Theology Term: Spring 2016 Professor Rev. Fr. Dominic Anaeto or 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course reflects on the identity of the church and its praxis, the ultimate point of reference is the praxis of Jesus Christ himself, as His ministry is reflected in the pastoral ministry within His Church. 2. LEARNING OUTCOMES: In line with the college mission of cultivating catholic leaders for evangelization, Students at the completion of this course will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the basic facets of Pastoral Theology. Show a mastery of the application of various Pastoral Methodologies and structures. Demonstrate a basic understanding of shared responsibility, delegation and motivation. Demonstrate a clear knowledge of the spirituality of Stewardship and Volunteerism. Demonstrate a sound application of empathy and care in particular pastoral situations. 3. COURSE SCHEDULE The following schedule examines the pastoral shift from Vatican Council I to Vatican II designing a new pastoral methodology. Topics to be covered include: Historical development of pastoral theology, pastoral communication, specific pastoral situations (physically or mentally disadvantaged and Post Abortion Syndrome), Team ministry, Volunteer ministry, servant leadership, pastoral management, spirituality of stewardship, parish pastoral council and pastoral counseling. 1

2 You will need to read the lecture summary for each week and the corresponding assigned texts when preparing for your discussion board posts and writing your papers. These are simple foundation and guide for your further research and readings Week 1-Lesson 1-Traditional Understanding of Pastoral Theology Before Vatican II Readings: Pastoral Theology, Catholic Encyclopedia, Regis A. Duffy, OFM, A Roman Catholic Theology of Pastoral Care, ch. 2, Pre- Vatican II Theologies of Pastoral Care, pp Eugene: Wipf & Stock Pub (May 1, 2010); ISBN: , $14.53 Matt C. Abbott, The Catholic Church before and after Vatican II, July 30, Assignment: Discuss briefly a few of the elements of the pastoral theological approach to the care of souls prior to the Second Vatican Council. Week 2-Lesson 2-Shifts in Pastoral Emphases after Vatican II Readings: Duffy, ch. 1, Pastoral Care in the Post-Vatican II Church, pp David J. Atkinson, David F. Field, Arthur Holmes, and Oliver O Donovan, eds., New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995; ch 7, Practical and Pastoral Theology. 32 pp. ISBN ( ). Kindle Edition. $37.72 Matthew L. Lamb and Matthew Levering, Vatican II: Renewal Within Tradition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, A Proper Hermeneutic for the Second Vatican Council, 20pp. ISBN-13: Kindle edition, $ Homiletic and Pastoral Review The Munus Regendi of the Priest and the Vocation of the LaityDecember 11, 2012 By Rev. Mr. Gaurav Shroff. Kathleen A. Cahalan, Introducing the Practice of Ministry, Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2010, Ch. 3, Vocation to Ministry: Leadership in the Christian Community, 21 pp. ISBN-13: Kindle edition, $7.99. Assignment: Enumerate some of the differences you see in the description of pastoral theology and ministry as described by Cahalan as opposed to the prior description from the Catholic Encyclopedia. 2

3 Week 3-Lesson 3- Pastoral Methodology Readings: Cahalan-chs Understanding Ministry as Practice, and Learning to Practice Ministry, 70 pp. Assignment: Are you satisfied with Cahalan s approach to the nuts and bolts of pastoral ministry? How does this methodology square with the more sacramental traditional approach before Vatican II? Week 4-Lesson 4-Theological Criteria for Pastoral Planning Readings: Bill Huebsch, Dreams and Visions: Pastoral Planning for lifelong Faith formation, Twenty-Third publications, 2007, $13.46, ISBN-13: , Pages 1-56 Assignments: Discuss the obstacles that militate against effective pastoral planning. OR Discuss how the core planners of a parish seek to effectively engage in the parish mission. How does this work for you in your parish? Week 5- Lesson 5: Dimensions of Pastoral Planning Readings: Bill Huebsch, Dreams and Visions: Pastoral Planning for lifelong Faith formation, Twenty-Third publications, 2007, $13.46, ISBN-13: , Pages Assignments: Discuss the relationship between the functions of Christ and the four dimensions (six with Huebsch's breakdown) of the pastoral praxis. How are you called to participate in that relationship? Week 6- Lesson 6: Elements of Pastoral Counseling Readings: Duffy, pp David K. Switzer, Pastoral care Emergencies, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000, Intro and ch 1, 27pp. ISBN-13: , Kindle ed. $7.99. Christopher Kaczor, Positive Psychology and Pastoral Practice, Homiletic and Pastoral Review, April 29, Assignments: The first paper is due at the end of week 6. Chose one of the following two topics on which to write. Topic 1: A certain pastor was an exceptional gifted Counselor especially in marriage Counseling. And he was a poor administrator. Yet Administration took over a third of his time and he was only able to counsel his parishioners a few hours a week. Describe completely how you would help enable this pastor to make more effective and more efficient use of his time in his pastoral planning. Topic 2: Explain the "Chalcedonian Pattern." In what way does it relate theological and psychological concepts (like sin and salvation and neurosis and healing, respectively)? How can this be useful for pastoral counseling? 3

4 Week 7- Lesson 7: Parish Pastoral Council Readings: This is Mark Fischer s comprehensive website devoted to the various aspects of the parish pastoral council, its genesis and development. Please peruse the various free resources here to answer the discussion questions in both Lessons 7 and 8. Assignments: Discuss the major differences between the Parish Council and the Parish Pastoral Council. Why do you feel that the parish pastoral council is important in a parish. Week 8- Lesson 8: Relationship of the Pastor and Parish Pastoral Council Readings: See above Assignments: Discuss the essential characteristics in the relationship between the pastor and the Parish Pastoral Council and the specific roles of the Parish Pastoral Council. Week 9- Lesson 9: Pastoral Management and Skills Readings: Paul F. Peri, Catholic Parish Administration: A Handbook, Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2012, 87 pp. ISBN-13: Kindle edition, $6.12. Assignments: 1) You have just been posted to a new parish where the former pastor was transferred because of mismanagement of the church s finance and good. As a new pastor, describe the basic management skills you will implore in establishing a proper accountancy of all the church s good and finance. 2) For Lay and religious parish workers-how can you help the pastor in concrete ways in administration? Week 10-Lesson 10: Team Management and Planning Readings: Weddell, Sherry A. ( ). Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples (ch. 3). Our Sunday Visitor. Kindle Edition. $ ISBN: Assignment: Briefly describe the process of building a ministry team of intentional disciples. What is the role of the pastor? The staff? Week 11-Lesson 11: Servant Leadership Readings: Robert Greenleaf, Larry Spears and Peter Vail, The Power of Servant Leadership, Berrett-Koehler publishers, 1998, ISBN-13: Kindle Edition, $ chs 3-5, 90 pp. Assignments: The second paper is due at the end of this week 11. Topic: With the qualities of the Servant Leader in mind, discuss the theological statement that the pastor should be for his parishioners and with his parishioners in the exercise of his pastoral ministry. 4

5 Week 12- Lesson 12: Spirituality of Stewardship Readings: Joe Mikell and Ben Stroup, Crafting a Theology of Stewardship (and why your church needs one) 2013, $4.99, ASIN: BOOCMER2W6 Assignments: Offer a descriptive definition of Stewardship and enumerate and discuss the characteristics of a good steward. Week 13- Lesson 13: Pastoral Communication Readings: Switzer, chs 2-3, 46pp.Pastoral Instruction, Aetatis Novae, On Social Communications. cs_doc_ _aetatis_en.html Assignments: Discuss the objectives and purposes of critical communication in pastoral ministry, especially in times of crisis. Week 14- Lesson 14: Volunteers in Ministry Readings: Leith Anderson and Jill Fox, The Volunteer Church, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015, Parts 1-3, 142 pp. ISBN-13: , Kindle Edition $9.99. Assignments: Discuss some of the essential elements in the theology of Volunteering. Week 15- Lesson 15: Specific Pastoral Situations: Physically or mentally challenged, Post Abortion Syndrome). Readings: Devoted to the Handicapped (Vatican City: L Osservatore Romano, Mar. 1980, pp.6-8). A document issued by the Holy See for the International Year of the Handicapped. Also printed in the Pope Speaks, Vol. 26, No. 2, 1981, pp John Paul II, Pope, Salvifici Doloris ( On the Christian Meaning of Suffering). Assignments: The third paper is due at the end of this week 15. Topic: Discuss the spiritual pastoral help to be offered to the handicapped and someone who has committed abortion. Schedule a ten minute Skype defense of your paper. 4. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Three Papers This course requires three papers to be presented. The final paper should be five pages and the two other papers will be three pages each. They will be presented at the end of weeks 6, 11 and 15. They are to be researched cum reflective papers. The papers 5

6 should be double spaced, 12-point font of New Times Romans. Proper academic format should be used cognizant of footnotes and title page at the beginning. Please consult the HACS style sheet located in the shared folder of the files tab in Populi for proper citation. These papers should be ed to me at or Required Discussion Forum: In addition to the three papers, you should sign onto the Discussion Board and post your discussion utilizing the questions provided at the end of each week s lesson except for weeks 6, 11 and 15. You are also required to post a response to the discussion of at least one of your colleagues. The Discussion Board topics are listed under the Discussion tab, by week. If you do not receive a word from me that I received your paper within a few days of your sending it, I did not receive it. If you did not get the corrected paper back within a week, please let me know. If you cannot make the deadline, please inform me of the reason. This forum is for weekly assignment submissions. You are expected to write one page every week following the week s lesson and write a short response (not more than half a page) to your colleague s submission. This is for the purpose of fostering a community of learners. I will monitor and comment once on all the submissions and responses, and this should help you to orient your mind to the materials as you begin the process of writing your papers. Discussion Forums: We have two discussion forums; General and Required forums. General Discussion forum: This is for course-related discussion. You may post questions about the materials and topics, thoughts and comments about the course concepts. Be sure to respond to the postings of your colleague the same as you would do in a traditional classroom. I will monitor this forum, but please do not expect me to comment on all postings. Do please use the General Discussion forum for all course-related questions that you would like to ask of me, for if you have a question, chances are some of your colleagues have the same question and will be able to join in the response. You may also contact me directly as I do not check the General Discussion every day. Specific personal questions regarding your grades, extensions for due dates and private matter should be sent to me in an ugodom2000@yahoo.com. I will do my best to respond to you within 48hours. If I will be out-of-range of Internet access for several days, I will communicate that prior to the time. 5. REQUIRED READING AND RESOURCES: Leith Anderson and Jill Fox, The Volunteer Church, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015, Parts 1-3, 142 pp. ISBN-13: , Kindle Edition $

7 David J. Atkinson, David F. Field, Arthur Holmes, and Oliver O Donovan, eds., New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995; ch 7, Practical and Pastoral Theology. 32 pp. ISBN ( ). Kindle Edition. $37.72 Kathleen A. Cahalan, Introducing the Practice of Ministry, Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2010, Ch. 3, Vocation to Ministry: Leadership in the Christian Community, 21 pp. ISBN-13: Kindle edition, $7.99. Regis A. Duffy, OFM, A Roman Catholic Theology of Pastoral Care, ch. 2, Pre- Vatican II Theologies of Pastoral Care, pp Eugene: Wipf & Stock Pub (May 1, 2010); ISBN: , $ Bill Huebsch, Dreams and Visions: Pastoral Planning for lifelong Faith formation, Twenty-Third publications, 2007, $13.46, ISBN-13: Robert Greenleaf, Larry Spears and Peter Vail, The Power of Servant Leadership, Berrett-Koehler publishers, 1998, ISBN-13: Kindle Edition, $ Matthew L. Lamb and Matthew Levering, Vatican II: Renewal Within Tradition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, A Proper Hermeneutic for the Second Vatican Council, 20pp. ISBN-13: Kindle edition, $16.17 Joe Mikell and Ben Stroup, Crafting a Theology of Stewardship (and why your church needs one) 2013, $4.99, ASIN: BOOCMER2W6 Paul F. Peri, Catholic Parish Administration: A Handbook, Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2012, 87 pp. ISBN-13: Kindle edition, $6.12. David K. Switzer, Pastoral care Emergencies, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000, Intro and ch 1, 27pp. ISBN-13: , Kindle ed. $7.99. Sherry A. Weddell. ( ). Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples (ch. 3). Our Sunday Visitor. Kindle Edition. $ ISBN: SUGGESTED READINGS and RESOURCES: Devoted to the Handicapped (Vatican City: L Osservatore Romano, Mar. 1980, pp.6-8). A document issued by the Holy See for the International Year of the Handicapped. Also printed in the Pope Speaks, Vol. 26, No. 2, 1981, pp John Paul II, Pope, Salvifici Doloris: On the Christian Meaning of Suffering, Catholic Truth Society, 1984, $23.94, ISBN United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Statements of U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with disabilities, $3.95, ASIN: BOOBIV6BIC Gerald Niklas, The Making of a Pastoral Person, Alba House, 1996, $11.64, ISBN- 13: Congregation for the Clergy, The Priest, Pastor and leader of the Parish Community, Catholic Truth Society, 2002, $14.00, ISBN-13:

8 7. EVALUATION: Grading Three Papers: 40%, Skype Defense: 10% Discussions: 30%, Response to your colleague s discussions: 20%, GRADING SCALE: A ; A ; B ; B 84-86; B ; C ; C 74-76; C D 60-69; F 59 and below 8. DISABILITIES ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY Holy Apostles College & Seminary is committed to the goal of achieving equal educational opportunities and full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities who qualify for admission to the College. Students enrolled in online courses who have documented disabilities requiring special accommodations should contact Bob Mish, the Director of Online Student Affairs, at rmish@holyapostles.edu or In all cases, reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that all students with disabilities have access to course materials in a mode in which they can receive them. Students who have technological limitations (e.g., slow Internet connection speeds in convents) are asked to notify their instructors the first week of class for alternative means of delivery. 9. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY Students at Holy Apostles College & Seminary are expected to practice academic honesty. Avoiding Plagiarism In its broadest sense, plagiarism is using someone else's work or ideas, presented or claimed as your own. At this stage in your academic career, you should be fully conscious of what it means to plagiarize. This is an inherently unethical activity because it entails the uncredited use of someone else's expression of ideas for another's personal advancement; that is, it entails the use of a person merely as a means to another person s ends. Students, where applicable: Should identify the title, author, page number/webpage address, and publication date of works when directly quoting small portions of texts, articles, interviews, or websites. Students should not copy more than two paragraphs from any source as a major component of papers or projects. Should appropriately identify the source of information when paraphrasing (restating) ideas from texts, interviews, articles, or websites. 8

9 Should follow the Holy Apostles College & Seminary Stylesheet (available on the Online Writing Lab s website at Consequences of Academic Dishonesty: Because of the nature of this class, academic dishonesty is taken very seriously. Students participating in academic dishonesty may be removed from the course and from the program. 10. ATTENDANCE POLICY Even though you are not required to be logged in at any precise time or day, you are expected to login several times during each week. Because this class is being taught entirely in a technology-mediated forum, it is important to actively participate each week in the course. In a traditional classroom setting for a 3-credit course, students would be required to be in class 3 hours a week and prepare for class discussions 4.5 hours a week. Expect to devote at least 7 quality hours a week to this course. A failure on the student s part to actively participate in the life of the course may result in a reduction of the final grade. 11. INCOMPLETE POLICY An Incomplete is a temporary grade assigned at the discretion of the faculty member. It is typically allowed in situations in which the student has satisfactorily completed major components of the course and has the ability to finish the remaining work without reenrolling, but has encountered extenuating circumstances, such as illness, that prevent his or her doing so prior to the last day of class. To request an incomplete, distance-learning students must first download a copy of the Incomplete Request Form. This document is located within the Shared folder of the Files tab in Populi. Secondly, students must fill in any necessary information directly within the PDF document. Lastly, students must send their form to their professor via for approval. Approval should be understood as the professor responding to the student s in favor of granting the Incomplete status of the student. Students receiving an Incomplete must submit the missing course work by the end of the sixth week following the semester in which they were enrolled. An incomplete grade (I) automatically turns into the grade of F if the course work is not completed. Students who have completed little or no work are ineligible for an incomplete. Students who feel they are in danger of failing the course due to an inability to complete course assignments should withdraw from the course. A W (Withdrawal) will appear on the student s permanent record for any course dropped after the end of the first week of a semester to the end of the third week. A WF (Withdrawal/Fail) will appear on the student s permanent record for any course dropped after the end of the third week of a semester and on or before the Friday before the last week of the semester. 9

10 12. ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR Fr. Dominic Anaeto is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi in Nigeria. He holds a License in Spirituality from Gregorian University in Rome, a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology from the Lateran University also in Rome, and a diploma from the Christian Institute for the Study of Human Sexuality at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. He is a certified counselor on topics related to Human Development and Human Sexuality. He functions as a director of spiritual life which involves giving spiritual conferences, moderating retreats, seminars and recollections. He offers pastoral counseling and spiritual direction to individuals and groups. Presently, he is a professor at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. 10

11 LESSON SUMMARIES Week 1 - Lesson One: Traditional Understanding of Pastoral Theology before Vatican II The traditional understanding of pastoral theology can be described as having the following characteristics: The focus of pastoral theology was the formation of the priest as a pastor bonus (good shepherd) for his priestly ministry. The whole approach was determined more by the theological conception of the priest, the church and the sacraments than by the contemporary needs of Christians living in the world. Even these needs were determined by the pastors themselves. From this conception, it logically followed that pastoral theology was a set of blue prints for ministry, a kind of handbook of casuistry for the priest in order to apply the correct solution to the different cases. A good example of this approach were the books of casus conscientiae, a pastoral anthology of the different cases a priest could face in hearing confessions. This understanding of pastoral formation was closer to a pastoral theology as such. The real theological reflection was supposed to be the responsibility of dogmatic theology. As for pastoral theology, it was supposed to be application of what dogmatic theology, moral theology and other theological discipline were teaching. In this perspective, pastoral theology was more an art of communication in order to make abstract theology become concrete. But as such, pastoral theology was not considered a proper theological discipline and it had no real other methodology than the application of the contents of theology to real life situations. Week 2- Lesson 2: Shift brought by Vatican II The shift brought by Vatican II was clearly systematized and structured in the collective work of Catholic German theologians called Handbook of Pastoral Theology. This new understanding of pastoral theology may be summarize in a few points: The aim of pastoral theology is the theological reflection on the identity of the Church and its activity (praxis), not the art of the implementation of this activity. H. Schuster calls it an existential ecclesiology, different from but closely connected with dogmatic ecclesiology. It is not a pragmatic training which in itself is not necessarily theological. This training is still necessary but it is different from theological reflection. Pastoral theology is destined not only to the individual pastor and the clergy but to the Church as a whole in which all Christians share in the same baptism and mission. The analysis of human realities is not just incidental to the mission of the church in the world. Therefore, this analysis becomes the starting point for theological reflection and the signs of the times become thus also a source for theology. The Handbook approaches the relationship between theory and praxis in a dialectic or cyclical way: the praxis of the Church is the subject matter for theory 11

12 and theory shapes the praxis of the church. This cyclical relationship will give birth to the so-called pastoral circle which will be the proposed methodology for pastoral theology. As a consequence of the integration of theory and praxis, the new understanding of pastoral theology will recover the value of the inductive method, a method that is not alternative but necessarily complementary to the traditional deductive method of application of theological principles to concrete life. Week 3- Lesson 3: Pastoral Methodology The methodology is known as the Pastoral circle and includes several steps or mediations which include, Insertion, Social analysis, theological reflection and planning the praxis for the future.. Week 4- Lesson 4: Theological Criteria for Pastoral Planning Pastoral planning is about the pastoral action of the church which has as an ultimate point of reference the praxis of Jesus himself. This is the way Pope Paul VI started his theological reflection about evangelization: From Christ the Evangelizer to the evangelizing church. This same principle has been clearly expressed by the Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church: Since mission continues, and in the course of history unfolds the mission of Christ, who was sent to evangelize the poor, then the church, urged on by the Spirit of Christ, must walk the road Christ himself walked, a road of poverty and obedience, of service and self-sacrifice even to death, a death from which he emerged victorious by his resurrection (AG 5) Week 5- Lesson 5: Dimensions of Pastoral Planning The praxis of Jesus has been classically summarized in the three main functions of Christ: Priest, Prophet and King. Every Christian is supposed to share in these three pastoral functions of Christ by his or her consecration in the sacrament of Baptism. These functions are not to be understood as separated activities of Jesus during his life as if, for example, the priestly function would correspond only to the three hour as priestly and victim on the cross. They are rather dimensions that penetrate all his life and ministry. His birth and growth are of a prophetic value before God and before the people as Luke points out (cf. Lk 2:52) These three functions have a deep biblical background and they have given birth to the four dimensions of the pastoral praxis of the church: Liturgia, martyria, koinonia and diakonia. The Greek names have been kept because these names were already familiar in the apostolic and post apostolic church. Like the functions of Christ, these dimensions do not constitute separate areas of activity in the Church but are to be understood as dimensions of its whole activity. They must therefore be carefully integrated in pastoral planning. 12

13 Week 6- Lesson 6: Elements of Pastoral Counseling This is a pastoral ministry of helping an individual explore, understand and enable him/her to act with creative insight. Attentive listening is the fundamental element in pastoral counseling. Week 7- Lesson 7: Parish Pastoral Council Go into the world and proclaim the good news to all creation (Mk 16:15). This command of Christ has inspired countless men and women throughout the Church s history to give themselves to the work of spreading the Good News. The Second Vatican Council repeated and renewed this mandate of the Lord calling all members of the Church to involve themselves in witnessing to the Gospel. As part of its renewal of the Church, the Council called for a number of new structures to promote active involvement and collaboration in the mission of the Church. After the Council, a new structure was proposed by the Church to call forth the insights and cooperation of persons at the level of the local community. The structure is the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC). Parish councils were to serve in an advisory capacity to the pastor, and were to utilize the many and varied gifts of the laity in service to the Church as it continues to carry out the mission of Christ. With time, councils became more task-oriented. The parish council model came to include various committees staffed by elected council members who invested a great deal of time and energy in creating programs and making them happen. Council members were usually the doers in the parish.. In recent years, this pattern has shifted toward the creation of parish pastoral councils. The change which involves more than simply the addition of a word, has created an entirely new role for these councils. The new model calls for bodies which lead the parish community in discerning the present and future parish direction, as well as calling forth those gifted to serve in that capacity. This new model requires not only education but formation of both council members and the parish at large. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL is primarily charged to assist in the development of mission- focused parishes rather than programmatic or finance-driven ones. It attempts to place at the heart of the parish a consciousness of a zeal for the mission of Jesus Christ. When there is a clear awareness of this larger vision proposed by the gospels and taught by the Church,, a parish finds itself energized by a sense of mission and directed to matters that foster the mission of the parish which is grounded in the mission of Christ. Week 8- Lesson 8: Relationship of the Pastor and Parish Pastoral Council Vatican II sees the pastor working together with his people, and they with him, to foster the growth of the church. The pastor is still the representative of the bishop and has responsibility for all matters entrusted to him. But he is now called upon to share this 13

14 responsibility for all matters entrusted to him. But he is now called upon to share this responsibility in a collegial manner by inviting the parishioners to share with him in the decisions affecting the spiritual, educational, social and financial activities of the parish. This is accomplished in a practical way by means of the parish pastoral council. Through their representatives on the parish pastoral council, parishioners become involved in parish planning, initiating, evaluating, discussing and adopting (or rejecting) parish programs and projects. A) Parish pastoral councils are to be advisory in all matters of the parish-spiritual, educational, social, financial-except where specifically limited by church laws, diocesan policy or the documents of Vatican II B) As a representative of the Bishop, the pastor must approve all recommendations of the parish pastoral council (power of veto). He should refuse to ratify when church law, the theology of the church or known policy of the bishop are at stake. He may also do so when he feels it prudent to do so. C) If the pastor feels he cannot approve a recommendation, the parish pastoral council should be asked to reconsider in the light of the pastor s reasons. If 2 3 of the parish pastoral council wish to appeal the pastor s veto, they may have recourse to the bishop. Week 9- Lesson 9: Pastoral Management and Skills Management is skill and abilities to enable resources to produce worthwhile results. It involves process, which is directed towards one result. These abilities and skills can be categorized in these areas but not limited to these: Thinking, Planning, Organizing, Coordinating, Motivating, Communicating, analyzing, Decision-making, Controlling. The human and Material resources are ways, which enable the management, meet its result. The human is far more important and valuable than material. The Material can be land, money, physical resources, building, equipment, etc.). Ministry and Management As church leader, one may ask how is doing ministry related to the Management. What has the preaching of the Gospel to do with management? Can we synthesize our ecclesiology and business without violating the Word of God? Can the ministry and Management be intertwine or separated for good? These questions may be addressed as follows: The fact is that Ministry and Management are mutually exclusive. In as much as we try to adopt the business method in the Church ministry, we should be careful not to secularize it. On the other hand, the ministry and management can coexist in the work of the Church. But they are not, and will never will be, in position of equal partnership. The ministry must always be primary while the management is secondary. Lastly, Management in the real sense of the word is the function of the ministry. Both Ministry and Management when worked out well complement each other. The way the pastor manages his Church will help or hinder the growth and success of that Church. The pastor is both minister and manager. Therefore, he needs to know the techniques of ministering and management. Good management is expression of God s stewardship in the Church. Hence, the task of ministry critically involves the theme of Management in effective and growing Churches. 14

15 Personnel Management is concerned with obtaining the best possible staff for an organization and, having got them, looking after them so that they will want to stay and give of their best to their jobs. The Aims of personnel Management are: a). To achieve both efficiency and justice neither of which can be pursued successfully without the other. b). To bring together and develop into an effective organization the men and women who make the church staff enabling each to make his/her own best contribution to the church s success both as an individual and as a member of a team. c). It seeks to provide fair terms and conditions of employment by the church. Anybody who supervises workers must constantly be conscious that he is dealing with individual human beings each with his own dignity to safeguard. The scope of personnel management covers these areas but not limited to it. (i). Employment ii) Training and Education (iii) Wages and Salaries (iv) Individual Relations (v) Welfare Service and Safety. Week 10-Lesson 10: Team Management and Planning A team is more than just a group. (a group can and do develop into teams). There are biblical references to the team concept. The body of Christ, Trinity, Community, different gifts but for common use. Working groups have their own sense of identity and successful leaders understand that working as team or group have their own personality, power, attitudes, standards, and needs. Leaders who take these things into account can achieve success because they respond to these group needs. Clear goals and Objectives; The entire team member must clearly understand group goals and participate in setting the team goals and committing to it. If the higher authority sets the goal, the team members should have an opportunity to determine how they will accomplish them. The success of the team depends on the amount of participation in creating goal ownership and the clearer the objectives and the goals. Once the goals are chosen, the group will remind and support the person in achieving the goals. Open communication- Provide regular opportunities for briefing groups on current plans and future development. Here, the team recognizes what we observed and discovered about each other. They affirm each person positive strengths, gifts, values and abilities and potentials that he/she sometimes cannot see in himself/herself. Fair leadership- involve the groups as a whole in the achievement of objectives The team understands what they will do to accomplish their task. They build expectation of one another in their roles. They build the trust and support of caring team that feel enlivened and commissioned to go out and share their gifts with each other. The leadership is willing to risk itself in helping others. Do not rely on formal written job 15

16 descriptions to cover the day to day situations. Many problems arise simply because people are not clear about what they expect of each other. One of the areas to watch is role conflict such as: Self- Other, Other-Other. Besides overlapping roles and responsibilities, role conflict creates tensions, especially when two or more members see themselves as responsible for the same task. Recognition of performance of each other and provide genuine consultation before reaching decisions affecting group: This focuses on how to accomplish that the group work together. It requires agreed procedures in several areas: Decision making how do you make decision and who is responsible for the decision. What you need to communicate to the team, to whom, when and what method. What change the team need to make to avoid bored meetings and change of attitude. Using problem solving techniques at work-maintain the cohesiveness of group and effectively deal with differences, arguments and conflicts. The team work requires the maximum use of the different resources of individual in the group such as abilities, knowledge and experience. They accept and give advice, counsel and support to each other while recognizing individual accountability and specialization. When groups are flexible, sensitivity to each other s needs and differences, the members do not push each other to conform to rigid rules. The group s ability to examine its process to improve itself characterizes teamwork. Group member accept difference as inevitable and sometimes desirable. They do not suppress them or pretend they do not exist. Team work demands openness. Objectives and Importance of Planning: Planning gives organization or Church a sense of direction. Without plans and goals, the organizations merely react to daily occurrences. It focuses attention on objectives. Where there are clear plans, we become concerned on anticipated results. Planning establishes a basis for team work. Plans provide a means for actively involving the community or the beneficiaries-, which is also a way of getting their commitment. Planning helps anticipates problems and cope with changes. Though attempting to forecast the future, it is possible to gain a better understand of change dynamics. If the forces that contribute to uncertainty, and change are monitored, it is easier to anticipate what might occur. Planning Provide guidelines for Decision making. Decisions are future oriented. If there are no plans for the future, guidelines do not exist for arriving at decisions. With many managers and sub-group making decisions, there is no assurance that these will be coordinated and integrated unless common plans are adopted. Without plan, people will likely make decision that lead off in the different directions like branches of a tree. Planning Serves as a pre-requisite of employing all other management functions. Without goals and planning, no guidelines exist for performing any other 16

17 management functions, such as controlling, staffing, organizing and directing. Planning is primary because in the absence of knowing what is to be done, it is impossible to intelligently undertake any management activity. Strategic Planning: Strategic planning is planning the general direction your activities should take. To actually decide those directions wisely may require you to go into considerable detail, but the meaning of strategic planning is needed: organizational strategic planning and Strategic planning for (community) Development. It has to be noted that relation between both Organizational and Development planning overlap. In fact, one of the strategic decisions in development planning is how to organize to meet a development need. Hence, strategic planning for development can be considered as deriving from strategic planning for development. Furthermore, all organizations exist in a community either smaller (the local church for example), or larger (national organizations and international organizations. Those engaged in development need to think things through from a development planning perspective. The essence of strategic planning for organization is that of deciding the kinds of activities that should (or should not) be done by the organization. What is the purpose of the organization and what is it called to do. What needs lead to purpose. Is the purpose correct. What kinds of activities does our purpose call us to do. Are there activities currently engaged in appropriate to fulfilling the purpose of the organization? In other words, the strategic issues for organizations involve the relationship between the purpose and activities. Week 11-Lesson 11: Servant Leadership The ruler should be exemplary in his conduct, that by his manner of life he may show the way of life to his subjects, and that the flock, following the teaching and conduct of its shepherd, may proceed the better through example rather than words. For one who by the exigency of his position must propose the highest ideals, is bound by that same exigency to give a demonstration of those ideals. His voice penetrates the hearts of his hearers the more readily, if his way of life commends what he says. What he enjoins in words, he will help to execution by example (St. GREGORY THE GREAT, Regular Pastoralis II, 3). Week 12- Lesson 12: Spirituality of Stewardship The following Scriptural texts identify the functions of the Steward: Psalm 2:1, Job 41:1; Isaiah 66:1; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Luke 12:42-48; Matthew 25:14, 30. Titus 1- &; 1 Peter 4:10; Genesis 4:10 Magna Carta for the Spirituality of Stewardship: I Cor. 4:1-2: Stewardship is living out a commitment to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered. This conversion is the result of our total self being focused on God as the Creator and Giver of all good gifts. Profound gratitude, justice and love become the fundamental motives for giving back to God. 17

18 Christian stewardship provides spirituality that a lay person can take home from church, exercise at work, and express through personal involvement in both community and the Church. It is the spirituality that ordained ministers should use in their personal relationships and in their ministry to the people of God. Christian stewardship successfully bridges the material world around us and the world of the spirit within us. Stewardship teaches Christians to become aware that God is the ultimate giver of the gifts we have. Our gifts to God should be from top not from left over or extra. Stewardship teaches Christians to be concerned about where and how to share their parish financial overflow. Stewardship is not giving to meet the needs of the budget. In spirituality of Stewardship, Jesus Christ the God s greatest gifts to us tells us to share a portion of our time, talent, and treasure so that the Gift, Jesus Christ, may be given to those who do not know him. No doubt the spiritual benefits outweigh all else. Teaching about stewardship will deepen people s faith and ultimately change their lives. According to the USCBC pastoral letter: Stewardship A Disciples Respond is a complete lifestyle, a life of total accountability and responsibility acknowledging God as Creator and Owner of all. Stewardship as disciples of Jesus Christ sees themselves as caretaker of all Gods gifts. Gratitude for these gifts is expressed in prayer, worship, offering and action by eagerly these gifts of love of God and another. (The National Catholic Stewardship Council Inc. 1997; NCSC 1993). Who is a Christian Steward? A Christian Steward is one who receives God s gifts gratefully cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with all and returns with increase to the Lord. (NCSC in November 1992). The definition is rooted in Biblical and Church tradition, corresponds with Almighty God s decision to entrust to humanity the Universe God had created (Gen. 1:26-31) and with Jesus Christ s famous parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-36). Stewardship is based on spiritual principle of Old Testament and the teachings of Christ; and where it has been implemented, both givers and receiver s lives have been changed. Stewardship is living out Christ s injunction to love one another as I have loved you. For the disciple of Christ everyone who responds to Jesus invitation, come follow me, Christian stewardship is an obligation, not an option. Simply put, stewardship holds every individual accountable to God for personal care of the Universe. Christian stewardship applies to everything: all personal talents, abilities, time, the Local, National and World Wide environment, all human and natural resources wherever they are, the economic order, Governmental affairs and even outer space. The stewardship does not tolerate indifference to anything important in God s world. No matter how great the financial needs of a parish, it is more important that each parishioner returns to God a truly grateful share of time, talent and treasure in gratitude 18

19 for these blessings. Stewardship is another way of worshipping, praising and thanking God. Week 13- Lesson 13: Pastoral Communication Communication is the transmission of understanding. Anyone who communicates knows, first, that this is true and second, that transmitting understanding is a far more difficult task than simply transmitting information. Communication is a skillful art. It is soul of the community, organization and the nation. Communication is life. We can see this in the Holy Scripture: where God attempts to communicate his love to man, and man s persistent inability to listen and understand. If God has difficulty communicating, we surely can expect human communication to be difficult. And yet communication is the only tool mangers, leaders, preachers have for effectiveness and efficiency. The simplest guiding principle to use communication is to speak the truth in love. The overall aim of communication is to communicate the truth and do it with love. Purpose of Communication in Pastoral Ministry: Assure understanding of the parishioners or members To prepare written communication and its importance Establish good office procedures The flow of information gives signals of what is taking place. To attend to the complaint, of the parishioners or community. To communicate the truth in love- (cf Ephesians 4). Information flow should be such that decisions necessary are made at the right time by the people if the office parish is to be effective. In a parish, for example, communication is done through, bulletin, letters, memo, reports, telephone and personal contact. Written communication is the main form of communicating. All decisions no matter how light they may be must be put on paper for future reference and follow-up. Improving Communication as Leader: Sometimes you see people who complain that there is no communication between the Leader and the members. The truth is that the Leader is communicating but either they do not understand and/or do not pay attention or the leader is communicating wrongly. To improve on communication, the leader should pay attention to these: Communicate face to face if possible Use direct language. Use repetition, Allow adequate time Know the person you are talking to Get feed back Use various channels 19

20 Reinforce words with action When your subject is upset, let the upset person talk Do not tell the speaker your troubles Listen to your people. Do not minimize the importance of what the speaker is saying Say only enough to let the speaker know you understand him/her. Remember that sincere listening is valuable to both parties especially helpful to the upset party. After Speaker has finished, offer to think about the situation, investigate etc. Meet them again to discuss it further Defer further discussion until the next day or sometime in the future if possible. Be sure to follow up as promised. Giving and Getting Feedback: Feedback is a way to communicate your perceptions, feelings or reaction to another s behavior. Feedback is not criticism. Criticism is evaluation. Feedback is descriptive. Feedback provides individual with information on his behavior and the feelings and reactions it trigger in others. This information can be useful in helping the individual on his own behaviour. Some suggestions on giving feedback. 1. Be specific and Direct- repeat the exact behaviour than general impression 2. Focus on Behaviour, not on the person-refer to observe behaviour rather than making judgment about the person. Avoid making assumptions or interpretations about the person s motives or intentions. 3. Be balanced- by giving both positive and negative feedback 4. Address Behaviour which can be changed: Frustration is only increased if feedback focuses on some shortcomings over which a person has no control. 5. Avoid giving advice- Share your perception and feelings, leaving the person free to decide for himself or herself if he or she wants to change his behaviour. 6. Be Timely- Give feedback at the earliest opportunity after the giving behaviour or talk. 7. Present your observation in a simple and concise way. 8. Avoid Giving Too Much Feedback: Do not overload a person with feedbacks. Give the amount of information the receiver can use rather than the amount you would like to give. 9. Get Feedback on your Feedback- Check out your feedback to ensure it was understood. 10. Ask if Feedback is Wanted: Note on receiving feedback whether the person is affected by many things: his general openness or defensiveness, the day, the language used, the effectiveness of the feedback giver, general security, trust of the giver, ability to hear etc. 20

21 Week 14- Lesson 14: Volunteers in Ministry Managing Parish volunteers is not just about recruiting enough people to fill empty slots on your people to fill the empty slots on your task list. It means paying attention on how you recruit, retains, and organizes volunteers. Make the congregation aware of the call to the Ministry: Each member of the Church has been given gifts of the Spirit The Church may need to enable persons to recognize the gifts they have been given. The needs to discern acknowledge and affirm gifts of members. Each member of the Church needs opportunities to engage in ministry. Effective management of volunteer ministries includes at least six steps. 1. Firm up your Philosophy of Volunteerism: The Volunteer feels called and has a deep desire to do the will of God. This means that they are not just handy person around to help you make programs and projects happen successfully.volunteers are true disciples with Christ, full partners with parish leaders in the process of fulfilling his/her mission in the Church. 2. Arrange from a sense of Ministry: People want to be part of something worthwhile 3. Recruit with Gratitude: Volunteers are real gifts to your parish. Plan ways to help each other recognize individual gifts and consider how you can truly care while you work together in ministry. 4. Treasure your Volunteers: Approaching volunteers as treasure opens the door to trust. Creating a safe environment, in which volunteers can learn, as well as sharing what they know, helps parish potentials. William J. Bausch calls it Christmas in January thank you party for all volunteers: Dance, cocktail party, honors. Bausch notes that they are the only human beings on earth who reflect this nations compassion, unselfish, caring patience, need and just plain loving one another. 5. Nourish your Volunteers: Nurture the spirit of the doer. Helping to fulfill those longings is not just a nice thing to do; it s a responsibility of stewardship. Training is critical not only for volunteers but also for the professional ministers with whom they will be working. The training should include the expertise for the areas concerned, and the theology and Spirituality. These include- Spiritual Directions, Retreats, Continuing Education, Support person and resources. 6. Expect to make changes:. Challenge yourselves to continually rethink volunteer s ministry in your parish. Set aside time to review the practices and procedures every year. Supporting, motivating maintaining Volunteers: Develop and communicate a clear description of expectations, necessary skills, attitudes, knowledge and the time commitments related to the task. 21