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.