Table of Contents

Preface     11
Introduction to Pastoral Planning     15
What Is Pastoral Planning?     16
Process
Praying
Thinking
Together
Acting
Being the Body of Christ
In a Particular Time and Place
Summary
What Does it Mean to be a Vibrant Faith Community?     23
Faith Community as a Communion
Baptism and Eucharist at the Center
Diversity
Response to Change
Study and Learning
Liturgy, Preaching, and Prayer
Beatitudes in Action
Union with the Larger Church
Joyfulness
Summary
What Is the Work and Character of Effective Pastoral Councils?     31
Member Characteristics
Relationship to the Pastor
Authority
Collaboration
Summary
An Overview of Pastoral Planning at Three Levels     36
Diocesan
Parish / Faith Community
Intermediary or Regional Groupings
Conclusion     40
Study Questions     41
Pastoral Planning Basics     43
Important Planning Considerations     44
Effective Planning Requires a Process
Planning Is About Change
Effective Planning Is Based on Agreement About the
Present
"No One Of Us Is as Smart as All of Us."
Quality Is More Important Than Quantity
Two Kinds of Planning: Directive and Probablistic
Implications for Pastoral Planning     50
Key Areas of Pastoral Concern     52
Word
Worship
Community
Service
Temporalities
Characteristics of EffectivePastoral Planning     55
Comprehensive
Sufficient Resources
Involvement of Those Affected
Effective Leadership
Prayer and Faith Sharing
Conclusion     58
Study Questions     59
Basic Elements of a Pastoral Plan     61
Mission Statement     62
Vision Statement     65
Goals     71
Objectives     73
Annual Action Steps     74
Involvement of Major Groups in Key Planning Elements     75
Pastoral Leader
Pastoral Council
Planning Team
Faith Community
Staff
Ministry Leaders
Conclusion     81
Study Questions     84
The Pastoral Planning Cycle     85
The Mission Statement     86
Reviewing an Existing Mission Statement
Revising an Existing Mission Statement
Creating a New Mission Statement
The Vision Statement     94
Assessing Where We Are / Gathering Information     95
Internal Demographics
External Demographics
Evaluating Key Areas of Pastoral Concern
Assessing Guidelines and Constraints
Looking at Other Sources
Focusing Information     102
Identifying Concerns, Issues, and Ideals     104
Engaging the Faith Community     105
Revising and Finalizing Issues & Opportunities     106
Developing Goals      108
Articulating Objectives and Action Plans     108
Engaging the Faith Community     111
Implementing and Assessing     111
Conclusion     112
Study Questions     112
Implementation at the Parish Level     113
Organizational Issues     114
Parish Pastoral Council
Pastoral Planning Team
Path Forward     118
Parish Pastoral Planning Process     121
Conclusion     144
Study Questions     145
Implementation at the Diocesan Level     147
Organizational Issues     148
Path Forward     149
Focus     150
Diversity     152
Ownership of the Process     153
Prayer     154
Diocesan Pastoral Planning Process     154
Special Relationships     165
Diocesan Bishop
Diocesan Finance Council
Priests' Council
Diocesan Staff
Diocesan Pastoral Council
Three Special Issues     170
Strategic Planning
Special Projects
Staffing for Planning
Conclusion     173
Study Questions     174
Implementation at the Regional Level     175
Formation of Regional Groups     176
Creation of Regional Pastoral Councils     179
Role of Diocesan Staff     182
Path Forward     186
Clearly Stating the Need for Planning
Criteria, Guidelines, Policies
Projecting Key Planning Variables
Making Resources Readily Available
Connecting with Other Regional Councils
Deadlines and Expectations
Configuration Planning     192
Regional Pastoral Planning     211
Conclusion     213
Study Questions     216
Communication     217
What Is Communication?     218
The Basics of Communication     221
During Times of Change, It Is Impossible to Overcommunicate
Repetition Is the Heart of Effective Communication
Provide Small Bites Rather Than the Whole Steak
Opportunistic Communication Can Support a Formal Communication Process
Informal Communication Has a Disproportionate Impact on Receivers
People Are Not at Their Best When They Are Surprised
The Truth Will Set Us Free, Even if the Truth is Troublesome
Feedback That Makes a Difference is Crucial
Techniques For Listening     226
Active Listening
Focus Groups
Listening Sessions
Surveys
Unsolicited Input
Communication Plan     233
Key Audiences
Key Messages
Media
Implementation     237
Conclusion     238
Study Questions     241
Resources     243
Glossary      248