The second set of keynotes were presented by Dr. Norbert Mette (Professor Emeritus in Practical Theology, Technical University in Dortmund) and our own Dr. David DeLambo (Pastoral planner from the Diocese of Cleveland and researcher in the sociology of religion). Both gave presentations that deeply intrigued people and, while I will attempt short summaries here, I will in no way be able to do them justice!
Professor Mette addressed the controversy in the German church about the concept of the local or parish church. With the development of gemeindetheologie there has been an ongoing controversy about whether or not the focus on the parish creates an 'exclusive Christian community' which becomes removed from the greater church. (Here is where the simultaneous translators struggled with some of the more nuanced theological terms!)
The controversy focuses in 'territoriality.' If the German church is to further shape its parishes, then how does it let go the past and develop a new perspective? (Not unlike the American church in its recognition that we are undergoing a significant paradigm shift in parish life, though one uniquely our own.) Mette calls for a Gospel image of parish, one which imitates Jesus who invited everyone to live a new life. He believes small communities are better because they can best provide pastoral care and religious formation.
Obstacles to this include the lack of priests and the lack of a sense of belonging? [Note - their understanding of, and relationship to, parish is quite different than that of Americans as German Catholics are less likely to identify with a parish. The conversation about parish life centering on the Eucharist was not part of the gathering. We were latter to hear how the image of pilgrimage is much more central to people.] Mette goes on to ask: How can there be a relationship between priests and laity? Voluntary membership? A place where the image of family flows from the context rather than solely from theology? Concluding, Mette called us to recognize that church must be for the other.
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Following this David DeLambo offered a vision of American parishes which he rooted in three areas: intentionality, complexity, and vitality. He called to mind the deep changes in the 'scope and nature' of pastoral leadership, ministry, and sacramental life in the US. Those familiar with the Emerging Models findings will recognize this as well. In his work with parishes he finds there is greater intentionality with the development of vision/ mission statements, strategic planning, and consultation. He indicated that 3/4th have mission statements and 92% have councils.
The complexity he shared is familiar to most of us with the number of priests declining, down 35% since a high in 1965. While there are now 1.05 priests per parish, in 2035 there wil be .84! Multiple parish pastoring is a growing reality. One intriguing graph showed that, while the number of parishes is rapidly declining right now, it is actually at about the pre-Vatican II number!
The realities - again so similar and yet so different - are what are driving our reality today. We are being called to see parish as a social system, as well as a theological and canonical entity. I know I have found the language from social networking to be very intriguing in understanding the call to parish leaderhsip and ministry today.
