Christina, what a treat to discover your Substack! Your discussion here is so important. I only encountered SWOT because of my business and marketing training, and many in parish ministry don't have this exposure.
One assessment that isn't done enough in Catholic circles is a competitor analysis -- which needs to be adopted by Catholic ministries for discernment purposes. Ex. What is our mission that is unique? What need(s) are we fulfilling which are not fulfilled by other organizations? This is important as new project ideas pop up. There are so many apostolates out there, which is fine, but as Paul VI taught, we need to be united and not spreading ourselves thin by doing work already covered under another group's mission.
I've found it not uncommon in parishes to encounter resistance when assessment is attempted even if limited to a ministry leadership team. This is where a respected leader like a pastor can step in and provide a spiritual framework for docility to the Holy Spirit and that recognizing our flaws doesn't have to be equated with sin.
I'm so happy to be subscribing, and I plan to reach out to you soon!
So glad to have you join me here! Doing an annual assessment as to a ministry's mission and prioritizing how they can fulfill it is a part of our annual ministry planning sheets that we share with each ministry leader, and then we gather as a community to "hash out" what will be prioritied and done within the larger community.
Completely agree that a pastor's openness to assessment/review is a key component for continued growth and courage in the face of challenges within a community. Have found that a pastor praying WITH his people during times of Adoration have been key to creating this environment of openness to the Holy Spirit--but could also be the strong presence of those living out the charism of the Charismatic Renewal as well.
Am working hard to put all of these ideas (the 12 puzzle pieces) into a book to help people at least have a starting point to work with, especially in light of the Eucharistic Renewal and having something for people to refer to after the ER Congress this summer.
Christina, what a treat to discover your Substack! Your discussion here is so important. I only encountered SWOT because of my business and marketing training, and many in parish ministry don't have this exposure.
One assessment that isn't done enough in Catholic circles is a competitor analysis -- which needs to be adopted by Catholic ministries for discernment purposes. Ex. What is our mission that is unique? What need(s) are we fulfilling which are not fulfilled by other organizations? This is important as new project ideas pop up. There are so many apostolates out there, which is fine, but as Paul VI taught, we need to be united and not spreading ourselves thin by doing work already covered under another group's mission.
I've found it not uncommon in parishes to encounter resistance when assessment is attempted even if limited to a ministry leadership team. This is where a respected leader like a pastor can step in and provide a spiritual framework for docility to the Holy Spirit and that recognizing our flaws doesn't have to be equated with sin.
I'm so happy to be subscribing, and I plan to reach out to you soon!
Angela,
So glad to have you join me here! Doing an annual assessment as to a ministry's mission and prioritizing how they can fulfill it is a part of our annual ministry planning sheets that we share with each ministry leader, and then we gather as a community to "hash out" what will be prioritied and done within the larger community.
Completely agree that a pastor's openness to assessment/review is a key component for continued growth and courage in the face of challenges within a community. Have found that a pastor praying WITH his people during times of Adoration have been key to creating this environment of openness to the Holy Spirit--but could also be the strong presence of those living out the charism of the Charismatic Renewal as well.
Am working hard to put all of these ideas (the 12 puzzle pieces) into a book to help people at least have a starting point to work with, especially in light of the Eucharistic Renewal and having something for people to refer to after the ER Congress this summer.