PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL 

ROLE AND FUNCTION

The function of the new Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) will be to support pastoral planning that builds on the Mission and vision of the parish. The PPC supports the Pastor in developing the Parish’s Pastoral Strategy for growth to fulfill our Mission of making disciples, building community, and inspiring witness/service of our faith. The Parish Pastoral Council is the primary advisory body to the Pastor. It is consultative, a medium for communication, and facilitates models of cooperation and collaboration. The Pastor invites the Council to examine issues of fundamental importance and then relies on the PPC members to research, consult, pray, and discern to offer recommendations for the Pastor to consider. Then, based on the Pastor’s decision, they can actively collaborate with the Parish Staff and our Ministries to make those recommendations a reality.

 

Member Selection Process

Membership in the Council will be discerned based on identifying parishioners demonstrating the gifts for strategic pastoral planning and critical thinking. We seek parish pastoral council candidates who are diverse in age, gender, and ethnicity and strongly desire to share their unique gifts and talents to help build our new reality.— diverse community and ministries that reflect  Candidates should be eager to cultivate a cohesive, collaborative, and faithful environment so our diverse community and ministries reflect our parish’s Mission and Vision.

 

Leadership Qualities

Candidates should reflect the wisdom of the entire people of God. The following is a list of qualities of an effective council member:

• Ability to witness and share their love for Christ
• Knows the teachings and Mission of the Catholic Church
• Desires to form missionary disciples who live out our Mission of “Rejoicing in God’s love for us. Sharing God’s love with all.”
• Pursues spiritual formation through His Word to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ
• Participates regularly in Mass
• Spends time with the Lord in prayer, including intercessory prayer
• Critical thinker who is open-minded when in dialogue with others
• Has the patience to listen, reflect, and value various points of view and perspectives
• Willing to help lead efforts to spread the parish mission and vision with lay leaders and wider parishioner audiences
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality outside of PPC meetings

 

Spiritual Gifts

Candidates possess one or more of these biblical leadership roles, each offering a unique purpose and function in the body of Christ.

• Visionary – Those open to new methods or models and can challenge the status quo.
• Unifier – Those mindful of caring for others, recognizing many different voices need to be heard, and reconciling those on the fringes.
• Evangelizer – Those on fire for their faith with a deep desire to share Jesus Christ’s love with others. Those who can invite, inspire, and recruit others as missionary disciples.
• Teacher- Those passionate about catechesis and guiding others in learning and sharing the Gospel.
• Advocate – Those who are truth-tellers and advocates who can deliver challenging messages.
• Administrative – Those who can synthesize the information into recommendations and offer process & logistical support.