1:1 Conversations
Where two or more are gathered, there I am in the midst of them (Matt 18:19)
Listening begins the process. Vatican II referred to the Christian Faithful as the People of God. It follows then, that as the Church continues to seek the call of the Holy Spirit to guide her future, she inquire into the minds and hearts of the People of God, for we believe that the Spirit of God resides within the community. As we engage in dialogue about our shared future, the community demonstrates, in this very action, the mystery which constitutes us. We are one body in Christ. Through a process of active listening, believers are encouraged to articulate their thoughts and feelings about their faith community, and to dream about future possibilities.
| One-to-One Listening Conversations | |
|---|---|
| Preparation Time: | 2 Hour Training Session |
| Event Time: | 1-6 months |
| Participants: | Begins with Parish Pastoral Council Members Can move outward to any parish leader (assuming debriefing occurs with PPC members) |
The very root of our Christian community is relationship. Christian community itself is a web of relationships drawn together and held together by a common belief and a common mission which we share. In fact, through our relationships we become a reflection of the Trinitarian God who called us into being. Christian communities seek to nurture the relationships of their members and point them outward toward those in need, inviting others to become members of this mystical interconnection of believers, while seeking to heal a broken world.
Pastoral planning is about envisioning our future together. This future is a dream of what our shared life will be, where we are heading, and how we can get there. This dream begins with two people sharing their ideas with one another, and continues to grow into a shared vision for the future. These dreams are born in relationships as we come to share our deepest desires for a vibrant community driven by the ultimate dream of the Kingdom of God which Jesus shared with us.
Therefore, pastoral planning begins with a conversation, an open sharing of our hopes and our fears, and a renewed commitment to strengthen the web of relationships we call parish.
The following process is a proposed way to light a spark of shared visioning which seeks to kindle a fire whose light is bright enough to trace the outlines of the future.
Many times parish leaders have asked parishioners to do certain tasks which have been necessary to continue the life of the community, but rarely have parishioners been asked to think, to dialogue, and to dream together about what they would like their parish to be in the future. This initial step in the pastoral planning process encourages that dialogue. The actions and tasks will come as the parish begins to breathe life into their shared vision, but first the vision must be articulated. It must be shared and owned by all who call themselves members.