Strategic Thinking
In every age the Church fulfills its great commission by responding to the spiritual hungers of God’s people. This Diocese has experienced what could be the largest restructuring in the history of the American Catholic Church. Whether or not a particular parish has directly experienced changes, the audiences and attitudes all around our parishes have shifted dramatically of late. We are carrying out our mission in a new religious landscape. Successful parishes will be responsive to the emerging circumstances in which they find themselves in the years ahead.
Now is the time to take strategic steps forward on the path to parish vitality. Churches set on thriving, and not just surviving, are moving parishioners from being merely involved to become more fully engaged. Evangelizing churches are being strategic in their outreach. Because there are no roadmaps into the future, this agenda will involve blazing new pathways. It may involve rethinking old assumptions. It may change the way a parish operates. But parishes willing to think strategically, and act boldly will find new partners in the work of the Gospel. No matter what lies ahead, these parishes will thrive. The Diocese of Buffalo will help interested parishes take the next steps forward on this path.
There clear pathways to parish vitality. Thriving parishes consider the strategic questions regarding identity, capacity and purpose. To thrive, and not merely survive in the years ahead, vital parishe must remain true to identity, leverage capacity and communicate a compelling sense of purpose. These parishes will revitalize the congregations and mobilize people around an urgent and evangelizing plan of action. This conviction is at the heart of the Pathways to Parish Vitality project. Consider the resources provided at:
to obtain resources, best practices and practical strategies for: equipping leaders building organizational capacity for growth connecting, welcoming and engaging spiritual seekers fostering spiritual growth in all generations.
"Real effectiveness... less from doing more things and more from doing the right things."
Pathways for Parish Vitality provides a comprehensive framework to maximize the success of several programs and evangelization initiatives currently being conducted in parishes across the Diocese. There are no prerequisites for participating in the Pathways to Parish Vitality project. This initiative is being coordinated by the Offices of Parish Life and Lifelong Faith Formation. Join us on a pathway to parish vitality!
TOOLS
RESOURCES ON STRATEGIC THINKING
Faith Formation 2020: Designing the Future of Faith Formation by John Roberto (Lifelong Faith Associates 2010)
Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath (Broadway Books, 2010) Workbook available at http://heathbrothers.com/resources.
Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions by John Kotter (St. Martin's Press, 2005)
The World Cafe: Shaping Our Future Through Conversations that Matter by Juanita Brown with David Isaacs and the World Cafe Community (Berret Koehler, 2005)
The Art of Change: Faith, Vision and Prophetic Planning (with companion CD) by John Reid and Maureen Gallagher (Ligouri, 2009).
American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us by Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell (Simon and Schuster 2010)
The Ten Faces of Innovation by Tom Kelley (Doubleday 2005).
Leadership for Vital Congregations (Cleveland 2006).
"Cultivating Communities" Faith and Leadership by William Snyder.
"The Content Strategist as Digital Curator" Content Strategy.
Holy Conversations: Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations by Gil Rendle and Alice Mann (The Alban Institute, 2003).
Pastoring Multiple Parishes by Mark Mogilka and Kate Wiskus (National Association of Lay Ministry, 2009)
Listening to the People of God: Closing, Rebuilding, and Revitalizing Parishes by Charles E. Zech and Robert J. Miller (Paulist Press, 2008).
RESEARCH FINDINGS
Growing an Engaged Church: How to Stop Doing Church and Start Being the Church Again by Albert L. Winseman (Gallup Press, 2006).
U.S. Religious Landscape Survey - June 23, 2008 Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life
Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S. April 27, 2009 Pew Research Center.
Almost Christian: What the Faith of Teenagers is Telling the American Church by Kenda Creasy Dean (Oxford, 2010).
American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS 2008) by Barry Kosmin and Ariela Keysar (Trinity College, 2009).
U.S. Latino Religious Identification 1990-2008: Growth, Diversity & Transformation by Juhem Navarro-Rivera, Barry A. Kosmin and Ariela Keysar. Program on Public Values. Hartford: Trinity College 2009.
American Congregations at the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century: The National Congregations Study 2008 by Mark Chaves, Shawna Anderson and Jason Byasse.
Souls in Transition: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults by Christian Smith and Patricia Snell (Oxford, 2008).
Lifelong Faith Associates (John Roberto)
Gallup Faith Institute (further implications and resources based on Al Winseman's research on church engagement)
Lost? Twenty-Somethings and the Church (Fordham University Event - Conference Videos)
Faith Formation Learning Exchange (resources for family faith development)
Pew Internet & American Life Project (trends and social forces).
Apprentice of Jesus (discipling process with holistic resources for growing in one's relationship with Jesus Christ)
God Tube (media-savvy Christians getting out the Word)
Busted Halo (online magazine for spiritual seekers - Catholic and cutting edge)
My Catholic Voice (online place to connect, explore and share)
Explore Faith (spiritual guidance for anyone seeking a path to God - for adults)
Method X (online Christian community where young adults can identify and explore their relationships with God and with others)
Vimeo (respectful and creative community of video content producers)
Digital Catechesis (global network of faith-based ministers)
The Vatican (news from universal church and teaching documents)
United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (National Catholic leadership resources and teaching)
Contact:
Office of Parish Life - Dennis Mahaney
795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: 716-847-5531
Fax: 716-847-2206
Department of Lifelong Faith Formation - Mary Beth Coates
795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: 716-847-5505
Fax: 716-847-5593