Office of Development and Properties at 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806 US - Recommendations
| Recommendations |
1. Understand the dynamics of change. Change is not easy for most, extremely difficult for some, threatening for a few. Be pastoral. Take the time to help everyone deal with the changes in understanding and thinking that will accompany a building process. Progress is impossible if you always do things the way you have always done things. As long as you are willing to stay only with the familiar and not take risks, find new things out, it is by definition impossible to grow, to have progress, or anything else. Paraphrased from: How to Be a No-Limit Person 2. Build consensus. A parish community is not the U.S. Congress. It is a community of Christians discerning the will of God as spoken through the collective wisdom of the community. Developing this collective wisdom is called consensus building and is much to be preferred over the typical "majority rules" vote(s) we may be accustomed to. A consensus decision for a course of action may take much deliberation if the community is initially divided. Applying the following principles is important: A. Respect others and their opinions at all times. Maintaining this atmosphere will allow open discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect based on a desire to understand the meaning and the feeling of the issues discussed. B. Educate yourselves and others. Learn all you can about the parish needs (educational, social, or liturgical) and how you can best meet them. C. Consider all the options. Carefully. Thoughtfully. Respectfully. But be aware that this is a fertile ground for rumors and misinformation to breed. D. Communicate! Often. At all levels. From the beginning. Consider using a newsletter rather than depending on the church bulletin. People need facts to combat the rumor mill that is started during the option consideration process. 3. Cultivate the virtue of patience. The planning and building process will take longer than you want it to. 4. Don't worry about the cost during the early stages. It will hinder your ability to dream the big dreams necessary to meet your parish's needs.
By Dr. Wayne Dyer