Matt Schwartz Theological Consultant, National Trainer and Coach My People

Transcription

1 Matt Schwartz Theological Consultant, National Trainer and Coach My People 1

2 Getting a parish to grow and then transform a culture is no easy task. There are hundreds of small steps that go into successful evangelization. Parishes that have transformed themselves into hubs of vibrant ministry know that successful ministry requires planning, organization and professional support to reach its goals. It takes ministers with skills in creating realistic plans, attracting the right people and passing on the wrong people, focused communication, plus the managerial skills to achieve their goals. It takes a professional approach that combines intent and vision with training and coaching to help those ministers succeed. Game Plan: A little learning but not that much. A little sharing but introverts don t have to share. A little story telling Bad humor from the facilitator Days of in purgatory 2

3 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall lovethe LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heartthese words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speakof them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bindthem at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Writethem on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. The territory has changed, but what map are we using? The Feeding of the Five Thousand. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.by now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, This is a deserted place and it is already very late.dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat. He said to them in reply, Give them some food yourselves. But they said to him, Are we to buy two hundred days wages worth of food and give it to them to eat? He asked them, How many loaves do you have? Go and see. And when they had found out they said, Five loaves and two fish. So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass.the people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties.then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to [his] disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all.they all ate and were satisfied.and they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate [of the loaves] were five thousand men. 3

4 Current Map of Stewardship: Catholic Schools can promote this idea in several ways: Time: prayer, visit nursing Homes, collect school supplies, volunteer on commissions and councils, collect baby items, buy items on Christmas tree Talent: write thank you letters, make valentines day cards for elderly, Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life month Treasure: Children s envelopes, tithe 10%, give to building campaigns, give to special needs of the parish, pay for Lenten mission What would happen if we aligned our resources (time, talent, treasure) with our mission? Not the mission of OUR Church, but rather the mission of THE Church Catholic Social Teaching 4

5 Parent Territory on Time, Talent and Treasure Parents are used to giving time for something greater than themselves. All we have to do is ask. Parents are great stewards when it has a direct impact on their child. Think globally and act locally. What can I do personally to make a difference? Many times we think we have to teach stewardship to parents. They are already living it but they don t have the language to prove it. Grew up as recyclers and ecologists. A globalized world is normal to them. Solidarity-kids are better than adults about sharing in the suffering of others. Kids, although inherently selfish, are keen to the pain of others. When the parish is affectively connected to the school, they will give treasure. Parents of 2018 They embrace parenthood as a new identity Self-centered millennials become selfless parents They aren t planning their lives around traditional milestones They choose to be parents, and love the job Millennial dads are present and proud They overwhelmingly put their children first Parents and Your School Stewardship begins with relationships, not questions and theology. Without the help of the school, are very good at mobilizing around a family that is suffering. Everything should stop when someone is suffering. That is what we do around here. 5

6 Story Tellers Inside School Story builds trust. Trusting relationships are always thinking of the other. When we reach out and tell our story, always ask people for what they want us to pray for. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. School of Stewardship Teachers/staff should be prayerers not watchers of kids who are praying. Stewardship starts with the mission and vision of the school, hiring process (coaches, staff, lunchroom, branding) Stewardship starts with the way everyone in the school treats each other. Questions You Should Ask EVERY Year Do We Have the Right Structure? Do We Have the Right Process? Do We Have the Right Skills? Do We Have the Right People? 6

7 Skills of Faith = Mature Discipleship How are we teaching and modeling skills of : Forgiveness Stewardship Marriage Caring for the poor Worship/Prayer Celebrations Hospitality When we model and teach skills of faith, we instill in students the confidence to act in their community. School is the Curriculum Mission Minded How is the mission and vision of THE Church articulated and expressed in EVERY corner of our church and school? Reexamining Adult Discipleship= New Stewardship Individual Parish/School community is evangelizer Believe, belong, behave Belong, behave, believe The Church says My church does Words communicate Good News Community embodies the Good News The answers are The questions are Rational argument as primary Experience communicates knowledge apologetic Individual questing Service evangelization- good news for others Develop searching faith Develop affiliated faith ( these people know a tethered faith I still go searching) Appeal of having it together Appeal of togetheredbrokenness Here s the right way This way works Agenda/program driven Apprenticeship 7

8 Call For Missionary Disciples I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. I do not want a Church concerned with being at the centreand then ends by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures. If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life. More than by fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us: Give them something to eat (Mk 6:37). EvangeliiGaudium(49) Matt Schwartz: matt@parishsuccessgroup.com