Emerging Models and Deep Transition

This past week was the final gathering to be hosted by the Emerging Models Project, with reports presented on all of the projects completed in Phase II.  It was a gift to be able to be there and join those who care so much about the future of our parishes and to stand once again in the 'crow's nest,' as it were, and see the view across the country.  What we saw was breath-taking. The period of transition in which we find ourselves is extensive and inclusive of all aspects of parish life.   Whether we are looking at who is pastoring, what pastoring means, what a parish is, what new structures we are called to engage, who is a member of this community, or who is feeling called to serve, we are finding movement, change, challenge, and gift.

Those who have heard me speak know that I talk about a paradigm-shift in how we experience parish life. Another way to talk about this is using the concept of transitions, such as that developed by William Bridges, who talks about change as endings (acknowledging that what was is going away), middle times (in which the change has not yet been established), and beginnings (in which the new arrives). The middle phase is significant in that it can last for a long time and offers those going through the opportunity to assess what has been and where they are going.  Most importantly, to move well through this time we must be willing to experiment, to 'tinker,' trying new ideas, seeing what might work in our particular situation.

We are in this middle phase. For the local parish or region, this means having the freedom to exploe and innovate, to try new things, to be open to what the community needs and how best to meet that need. It means formation and engagement of parishioners in the process of innovation and creativity.

All of this, of course, can be a challenge, hopefully an exciting one, for those in ministry. Pastors, deacons, lay ecclesial ministers, parish administrators will need to be open, accepting, adaptive, and collaborative... words used by Mark Mogilka in the multiple parish report.  Yes, we will grieve the past but we are learning to welcome and celebrate the new, while rethinking our theologies of pastoring and parish.  Each day we continue to do what we do, hopefully with an open mind and heart, for we are in transition one way or the other.  We walk with the prophet Isaiah who tells us the Spirit is saying:

"See! I am doing something new. Can you not perceive it?"