Introducing big changes is much easier if we give Parish leaders and members the time to process them.
Parishes can handle change.
If you’ve tried and failed to change things at your Parish that may not feel true, but it is.
The problem in many Parishes isn’t that they can’t handle change. It’s that they don’t like being surprised by changes. And they shouldn’t have to.
Wise leaders work very hard to reduce surprises as much as possible.
The more changes are needed, the more critical it is that Parish leaders and members know what’s happening and why.
A Promise Made and Kept
When arriving at a Parish, you may feel that a lot of changes are needed. The Parish may be discouraged, unhealthy or broken.
They may have had a long, bad history of changes being attempted before the Parish was ready to receive or implement them. So, in your first Parish leadership meeting, establish this principle.
Never ask for a decision on a big issue in the same meeting in which the issue is introduced.
On small issues, it’s not a problem. But big issues need time to simmer.
After all, most big issues have been simmering in our hearts and minds for weeks, months or years before we’re ready to present them to the leadership team. We need to give those leaders some time, just like we needed time.
A Matter of Respect
Parishes make a lot of changes over the years. Some good. Some not. But no one should ever be surprised by them.
Using that principle can be a credibility builder like no other.
Even when people disagree with the changes, they can understand the process. They need to know what is happening and why, and they need the opportunity to give input and state disagreements without fear of reprisal. In short, the lack of surprise will give the parish one essential ingredient.
Respect.
Everyone deserves it. Leaders require it. Parishes will turn inward upon each other in dangerous ways without it.
But when people have it, it’s amazing how much change they’re willing to take a chance on.
If pastors respect the Parish’s need to process the issue, Parish members are more likely to respect the pastor’s leadership through the change. Then we can discover the joyful truth that most Parishes are far better with change than we give them credit for.
Give People Time to Ponder
People need time to process big changes.
After all, you may have had months to ponder an issue and solution before you’ve brought it up to parish council, and you may still not be sure it’s right. How do you then, as pastors, expect people to make the right choice in 20 minutes, when you’ve had weeks, months, sometimes years to consider the question ourselves?
Most Parishes are far better with change than we give them credit for. As long as the Parish is relatively healthy, that is. If the environment is not just broken, but toxic and dysfunctional, different rules apply.
But the leaders and members of a relatively healthy Parish want what every pastor wants. Necessary changes for growth, properly understood, with enough time to think, pray, learn, discuss and implement them.
Yes, this process takes a little longer. But doing something slowly and right is always better than doing it fast and wrong.
Portions of this post first appeared on New Small Church Blog and was written by Karl Vaters. Some language has been changed to better fit the purposes of the Archdiocese of Regina. Used and adapted with permission.
