In a recent book which carried out a comprehensive study into what
helps a modern parish to continue to grow and flourish, Professor
Christian Pohl concluded that thriving parishes share four core
practices.
1 -
Communities should be encouraged to express deep gratitude for the many
gifts they share. "Grateful congregations are all too aware of the
goodness, beauty and grace around them," and readily, "find
opportunities to express gratitude and celebrate the gifts we have
received."
2 - Good
parishes are built on trust. Keeping promises is important. Healthy
communities realise the pain of betrayal and understand the hurt that
everyone experiences when organisations do not live up to their
promises. Loyal communities, Pohl writes, "Respond to church failures
with patience, confession, correction, forgiveness and accountability."
3
- In good parishes people and families are encouraged to live with
integrity and truth.
Effective communities operate as transparently as
possible. Doing so will lead to tensions and indeed the reality is that
there will always be people to take advantage of the community's
vulnerability. However Pohl concludes that churches and communities grow
when the hard issues are taken on honestly and directly and faced with
clarity and focus.
4 -
Healthy communities are welcoming communities. "The practice of
hospitality is important not only for strangers and other vulnerable
persons; it is also crucial for the life of the congregation itself.
Hospitality is a means of grace for hosts as well as guests."
Pohl
continues, "Often the best gift we can give another person is our time
and attention. People come to life when they and their offerings are
valued".
What is heartening is that all four characteristics of a good
parish are realistic and attainable.
In fact they are common sense.
Grace builds on nature.