I continue to reflect on what it means for a parish to be synodal. As I mentioned in a previous article, there is already much that parishes are doing that is deeply synodal. At the same time, there is always more we can do, and this is a topic I am spending a lot of time researching and reflecting upon.
This summer, I have the privilege of facilitating an intensive four-day process with a handful of parishes on the topics of synodality, leadership, and interculturation, called “Walking Together: Cultivating Leadership for Today’s Church.” Sponsored by the Markey Center for Leadership and Ministry in the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University, this summer clinic is meant to help parishes develop a vision and a plan for becoming an even more thriving congregation.
One of the activities I am leading parishes through is a reflection on the five themes that emerged from the preparatory process of the Synod on Synodality, exploring how they can embrace these themes more fully. These themes, which were common among most nations that participated in the process, are:
- The need for formation: The global data showed a hunger for deep spiritual, theological, and intercultural formation for all the baptized, not just priests.
- A desire to be more welcoming and inclusive: The global Church expressed a deep tension regarding those who feel marginalized, invisible, or unwelcome in our faith communities.
- A new style of being Church and a new style of leadership: A call to move away from clericalism and “one-man-show” leadership toward co-responsibility and collaborative management.
- The centrality of the liturgy: The global consultations affirmed that the Eucharist is our source and summit, but noted deep tensions regarding liturgical style, language access, and cultural expression.
- The role of women in the Church: A universal call for greater recognition, responsibility, and leadership roles for women in church governance and ministry decision-making.
As part of our four days together, I am asking the parishes in attendance to reflect on the following questions within the context of their own unique settings:
Theme 1: The Need for Formation
- When our parishioners look for deeper spiritual or leadership growth, where do they currently find it in our parish, and who is being left out?
- What is one specific area of formation (e.g., cultural sensitivity, scriptural, leadership) our team feels called to champion this year?
Theme 2: A Desire to Be More Welcoming and Inclusive
- Who are the groups or individuals in our local neighborhood who might feel invisible or unwelcome when walking through our parish doors?
- Moving beyond standard hospitality (like ushers at the door), what structural changes would make our parish a true place of belonging for diverse cultures?
Theme 3: A New Style of Being Church and a New Style of Leadership
- Where do we see healthy, shared leadership happening between clergy and laity in our parish, and where do we hit bottlenecks?
- How can our team model a “new style of leadership” that values listening and discernment over simply “getting things done”?
Theme 4: The Centrality of the Liturgy
- Does our Sunday liturgy truly reflect and celebrate the full cultural diversity of our neighborhood, or is it fragmented into isolated communities?
- How can our liturgy become a bridge that unites our diverse parish rather than a wall that divides us?
Theme 5: The Role of Women in the Church
- In what ways do women currently hold real decision-making authority (not just volunteer execution) in our parish structure?
- What concrete steps can our parish leadership take to ensure the voices and gifts of women are central to our upcoming 12-month action plan?
The answers to these questions will be deeply personal and local, given each parish’s unique circumstances. The solutions they come up with will help determine their priorities as they continue to plan for the future.
However, the final answers are not as important as the act of asking these questions in the first place. I invite you to reflect on these questions yourself and within your own ministry.
Where are the questions and the answers leading you and your community?
