When Parish Teams Are Too Peaceful

‍burningheartsdisciples.org

Hello 

Many parish teams look very peaceful.

Meetings are polite.
Decisions come easily.
No one pushes too hard.

No one asks the questions that just might change something. 

Programs continue just because they always have. 

Important questions remain unasked. 

The real tensions remain just beneath the surface. 

Nothing explodes. 

But nothing really moves either. 

I wrote a short reflection about this dynamic in parish leadership

Reflection and Discernment for Lent

Before moving on to the next strategy or initiative, Lent invites us to to slow down, examine what is shaping our lives, and name what needs conversion – not only personally, but in the way we lead.  

How do I usually respond when tensions appears in a conversation or meeting?

What difficult conversation am I avoiding because it might introduce tension?

What truth about our parish or our team have we quietly agreed not name?

What area of growth do I know needs to be addressed – but I'm waiting for someone else to raise first?

Over the past few weeks, we've been naming some of the places where mission stalls:

Mission stalls when the Gospel is assumed.

Mission stalls when parish life is full of activity but thin on conversion.

Mission stalls when we avoid the messy, relational work of discipleship. 

Mission stalls when leaders sense something needs to change, but avoid naming it. 

Lent presses gently on those places.  Not to create conflict, but to invite clarity. 

Peace, 

‍Kristin Bird

Executive Director



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If you missed the earlier reflections in this Lenten series, you can read them here: 

Belonging Before Understanding

Why Mission Stalls (And What Lent Reveals)

Lent and the Kerygma:  Why the Gospel Must Be Clearly Proclaimed