Living Stones

Where do you rate? by Ken Perry

The Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership project just commissioned the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University to conduct a series of surveys in parishes nationwide. These were designed to examine important changes in parish life—including a study to better understand who is serving America’s parishes, what brought them there, and what their needs are in the 21st century.

Here's a slice of that survey.  You can view the full survey here.

I thought it was interesting that 'Welcoming new parishioners' was toward the top, while 'Outreach to inactive Catholics' was so near the bottom.  It's not an easy thing to reach out to inactive Catholics, but I think there is tremendous opportunity and s need for growth in that area - particularly with less than 20% of Catholics going to Mass regularly.

So, given the chance, where would you rate your parish?  What do you do well?  Where do you see opportunities and a need for growth?  What strides have you made already -- and how is God calling you to fill that gap?

Giving away your space by Ken Perry

 I came across this excellent post from marketer/author Andy Sernovitz.  It's about companies (see churches) using their extra space for marketing purposes by allowing groups to using the space.  It's a great way for companies to be helpful  and reach out to groups in their communities --and sell some extra stuff in the process.

It got me thinking, what if we applied this to our parish facilities?   What if our stance to the community at large was one of openness and hospitality?  Wouldn't that be a great way to show love for our neighbor and build relationships at the same time? 

This especially applies to those groups which serve others in our community.  I know there are a number of churches allowing groups to use their facilities already (e.g. boy scouts, 12-step groups, etc.) --but what would it look like if we invited people to book time (for free). Even if your parish is short on space (as some are), what about offering your grounds?  Your parking lot?

I don't pretend that there's not an obvious cost.  There are certain liability and damage issues that need to be addressed.  In some cases a certificate of insurance would be needed by the participating group.  I would argue that the cost of inaction is far greater.

What would the effect on how our parish community sees your parish?  What kind of bridges might it build?  What effect would it have on members of our own parish?

 

Half of Over 65s Online by Ken Perry

A recent Pew research study indicates that as of April 2012, 53% of American adults age 65 and older use the internet or email.  This is the first time that over half of seniors are online.  Although still the lowest group percentage-wise, this represents another reminder of how parishes need to increase efforts to evangelize online - especially give how the 65+ population has been growing rapidly in our diocese. 

It also represents a real opportunity for parish communities to strategize how they can reach out to seniors not only sacramentally but also to connect seniors to the life of the parish during the week!  Some of the tools available include a dynamic parish website, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, etc), email prayer chains, homilies online, video conference for workshops/prayer groups and even apps.  What ways are you currently reaching out in your parish?

Asian Nation by Ken Perry

I revisited an interesting website,  Asian-Nation.org, which offers some important insights into demographic and religious trends for the Asian-American community here in the U.S.   It highlights some great surveys from American Religious Identifcation Survey and Pew Research.  Since 14.9 million (5 percent of the total U.S. pop.) people are Asian (or Asian in combination with one or more other races) and 1 million are Pacific Islanders, they have a significant presence within the Diocese of Trenton (over 100,000+)-- and thus, there is a great opportunities for evangelization, collaboration and cooperation to and with these communities.  

I've also included the Profile of New Jersey's Asian Americans (2005-2007) from the Asian American Federation, which includes demographic data broken down by county.

Download Asian Americans njbrief2009.pdf

Wondering what your parish demographics may be?  Contact Ken Perry at the Diocese of Trenton Department of Pastoral Planning at kperry@dioceseoftrenton.org and we can help you get set up with MissionInsite - at no cost to you and the set up is easy.  And the benefits of knowing more about your people are truly great.

Why They Left by Ken Perry

America Magazine recently highlighted a study commissioned by Bishop David O'Connell asking Catholics why they stopped going to church (see the article here -Why They Left). 

The responses included not feeling welcomed, starved spiritually, to feeling undervalued by the church.  Others point to issues of doctrine and church practice.   All of the respondents remind us of the stark reality of declining church attendance, with fewer than 20% of registered Catholics attending Mass.  But there is hope and promise here, as their tone was generally positive. 

We have before our parish communities a great opportunity, if we are up to the challenge.  In light of these responses, Byron and Zech call for a "creative liturgical, pastoral, doctrinal and practical response".  Will we choose to remain in dialog with these Catholics in our parish boundaries even if the issue is a doctrinal one in order to remain in relationship?

So then, what will our response be?  In what ways is God calling us as Catholics, and Catholic communities, to reach out to those inactive Catholics in our own backyard?  What has been working so far and is a strength we can build on?  Where is their opportunity for growth to build up the kingdom of God in your community?

Not Your Father's Oldsmobile: A new approach to faith formation by Ken Perry

This week's Trenton Monitor has a great article highlighting a new approach to religious education at Resurrection Parish, Delran, NJ.  Resurrection Parish is a merged parish formed from St. Casimir Parish in Riverside and Holy Name Parish in Delran.

Fr. David Stachurski, OFM, Conv., Pastor and Pat Brooks, Religious Education Coordinator spearheaded an alternative approach to the classroom model of religious education that brings together families for faith formation.  It is broader in its scope and offers opportunities for faith formation for people of all ages-- and is already bearing much fruit in their parish community.

It’s a great example of searching out new approaches to bring the Gospel to families.  Enjoy!

'A Family Affair': Parish offers faith formation for all ages

 

Raising the Bar - Part I: Mission by Ken Perry

I came across this gem of a mission statement in well done annual report brought to us by our Evangelical brethren at Granger Community Church.  The report comes under the direction of Kem Meyer, wife, mother, author, conference speaker and communications director. 

There are a lot of good things, best practices in fact, to unpack and apply to our work in parish pastoral planning and communications that I'll be back on this one to revisit some other aspects of the report (check here for the full report).

The first thing one notices is its visual design, its accessible and easy to read layout.  Goals are laid out in concrete terms underneath each category.  These Initiatives are spelled out in clear and concise terms.  Be placing it with the annual report, it places into context financial reporting, giving, worship, outreach, etc.  

The next thing I appreciated about the mission statement is that it sets expectations for its members and visitors.  There is a vision and plan in place.  People have a clear and concrete understanding of where the church is heading and where its priorities lay.  In turn, people can better understand what is expected of them (in general terms) as disciples of Christ at Granger -- which is a key factor in creating an engaged and committed church community.

Both the content and visual design work together to create a real sense of excitement and purpose to the community.  They are challenging themselves and their membership to put off the status quo and begin in a new way to live radically for Jesus Christ - to BE the church.  The emphasis is not only on personal renewal, but to equip the church to become people who equip others to live as disciples as well.

How does this challenge translate to our Catholic Parishes?  Where is God challenging us as pastors and parish staff/ministers?  In what ways are we called to challenge others?  How can we better articulate and promote our missions to engage parishioners more fully to spread the Gospel of Christ!  God deserves nothing less than out best.  Let's go out and raise the bar!

 

Friends don’t invite friends to church by Ken Perry

Wait. What?

Friends don’t invite friends to church.

There, I said it again.  And I believe, that for the majority of Catholics, it’s true.

"People aren’t ashamed of Christ.  People are ashamed of your church." (Ouch!)  I came across this powerful idea while reading Church Marketing 101: Preparing Your Church for Greater Growth by Richard L Reising.

It’s not that the folks in your parish don’t want other people to come to church.  It’s not that they don’t want them to become Catholic and share in a place at the Eucharistic table.  It’s just that the cost of inviting someone to church may just be too high.

When people step out of their comfort zone and invite their friend to church, it had better be a home run.  Why?  Because if it’s not, it reflects directly on THEM -they are putting their own reputation on the line.  They could be concerned about the music, or the homilies, or lack of welcome when you walk in.  It could be many things.  But they don’t invite other people to church because it’s intimidating—and the harder it is for someone to invite someone else, the less people will be invited.  And the less people will be willing to come.  Plain and simple.

Reising identifies six challenges (and therefore areas of opportunity) associated with inviting a friend to church.

1.     Will my friend feel welcomed?

Hospitality -- The atmosphere, nomenclature, and style of service should be inviting and not intimidating to the unchurched.

2.      Will my friend fit in?

Comfort and Compatibility -- Like it or not, invitations and visitor comfort decrease when cultural gaps exist

3.     Can I feel confident that I know how the service will turn out?

Consistency --  people need to know what to expect, because they will invite accordingly

4.     Will my friend get something out of it?

Revelance -- The message should be relevant and powerful for people at all spiritual levels

5.     Will my friend understand it?

Understanding -- Jesus taught through practical illustrations. The songs and message should be understandable for people at all spiritual levels.

6.     Will anything that could seem strange to the unchurched be explained through Scripture?          

Sensitivity--Scriptural actions should be carried out with clarity and considerate explanation

The more intentional we can be in these areas in our Pastoral Planning, the more we can make it easier for people to invite others to church.  The more we can be intentional about connecting the Gospel of Christ in relevant and meaningful ways with the lives of parishioners, the more growth we will see in our churches, and the more lives we will see transformed and renewed for the Glory of God.

Change Isn't Easy by Terry Ginther

Our title, "Living Stones", comes from the First Letter of Peter, Chapter 4: “Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house…” (1 Pt 2:4)  It seems a fitting image for a blog about how, as a people, we are continually re-shaped, and reformed for service to the Lord Jesus Christ.   

The process of change is not easy.  It is human nature to cling to what we know and what we love.  Even if the promise of the future is bright, we are reluctant to move on.  Certainly we get a glimpse of this in the story of the Transfiguration.  St. Peter offers to build tents for the Lord, Moses and Elijah on the mountain in order to preserve and prolong the experience; but the moment passes.  The followers of Jesus came down from that mountain and went on to experience the presence of the Lord with them everyday.  To live is to change. 

I was speaking with a woman after last Sunday’s event for leaders of the four parishes in the Asbury Park area.  She had listened carefully to the presentation, and she was sympathetic to those who had expressed anxiety during the question and answer period.  However, she shared with me what she had chosen not to say aloud.  She wished we would recall the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid.”   

Every parish in the Diocese of Trenton is in the process of change.  We cannot be “living stones” and have it be otherwise.  There is nothing to fear, for we are in the hands of our loving God who is building us up into a “spiritual house” that we might work together to announce His kingdom.