‘Shaping the Parish’ training supports teamwork for congregational development
The training team: Sister Michelle Heyne, OA; Brother Poulson Reed, OA; Sister Susan Latimer, OA; Brother Scott Benhase; Brother Robert Gallagher, OA; Brother Tom Early, OA; Brother Richard Proctor, OA; and Brother Manoj Mathew Zacharia, OA. Photos: Order of the Ascension
Shaping the Parish – a two-year, Zoom based training program in the methods and skills of parish development – is placing an emphasis on how teamwork can play a significant role in parish development. The program includes churches sending teams, exposes participants to theories of team development, and provides an opportunity for them to apply it in both online and in-person settings.
The impact of trained parish-based teams on parish improvement and renewal
All the major training programs in parish development have emphasized the value of parish-based teams and efforts to improve and renew parish life. That first became obvious at the Church Development Institute operating at General Seminary between 1985 and 2000. The teams offered a more sustainable approach to the effort. This has proven to be true in all types of organizations. Teams of employees or members working to improve the culture and productivity of the system drive positive organizational change by increasing engagement, lowering turnover, and boosting efficiency.
Teams within Shaping the Parish
The program has included teams from a wide variety of settings – Mexico, Zambia, the UAE, Canada and the US – as well as a range of sizes and current health.
While in the program participants work in six different small groups, a new one every five weeks. This offers them both wide exposure to a variety of parishes and six opportunities to join in the formation of a productive working group.
Team theory and methods
Shaping the Parish introduces participants to eight theories of team and group development as well as a variety of methods to facilitate participation that enables the internal commitment that provides depth and sustainability to improvement efforts.
About Shaping the Parish
Shaping the Parish is sponsored by the Order of the Ascension, a dispersed Benedictine community of laity, priests, and bishops in the Episcopal Church. The program is grounded in Anglican pastoral and ascetical theology, especially Benedictine spirituality. We also draw on the fields of organization development and organizational psychology. Most participants also make use of A Wonderful and Sacred Mystery, a free Substack platform with articles on parish development, social ethics, spiritual life, and the Order of the Ascension.
The Saint Scholastica Cycle will begin on October 9. Workshop fee is $300 for a parish team of three to six people and $100 for an individual; plus the cost of books.