Download
1 / 50
500 likes | 507 Views
Metropolis of Boston Parish Council Candidate Seminar. Opening Prayer.
E N D
Opening Prayer Shine in our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments so that, putting down all bodily desires, we may pursue a spiritual way of life, both thinking and doing things that are pleasing to you. Amen.
Ecumenical Patriarchate Archdiocese Metropolis We belong to the local parish, which belongs to the Metropolis of Boston, the Archdiocese and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We are the Universal Church, the Body of Christ on earth, whose mission is to bring people to Christ. Local Parish "I Am the Vine , You are the Branches"
The Archdiocese of America What is the Archdiocese? Article 1: Section 1 The Archdiocese, the Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne in the United States of America is one indivisible entity in its entirety. It is comprised of the Direct Archdiocesan District, headed by the Archbishop, and the Metropolises of the Archdiocese, each of which is headed by a Metropolitan. How is the Archdiocese governed?Article 2: Section 1 The Archdiocese is governed and administered in accordance with the Faith, Tradition and Holy Canons of the Church together with the provisions of the Charter, these Regulations and the decisions of the Synod and of the Congress. The Holy Eparchial Synod is the ecclesiastical instrument of governance of the Archdiocese and is comprised of the Archbishop and the Metropolitans.
Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America As amended in 2017 may be found on the Archdiocese web site: WWW.GOARCH.ORG or by going directly to WWW.GOARCH.ORG/ARCHDIOCESE/DOCUMENTS
Parish Operating Manual What are the Regulations of the Archdiocese all about? The Regulations of the G.O.A. are in a real way the‘Parish Operating Manual’ for each parish. They address nearly every situation that a parish will encounter, while allowing each parish to address its own unique requirements and needs by creating local bylaws, subject to the approval of the local hierarch.
What authority does a parish have? • The parish is governed by the Regulations of the G.O.A.; • Each parish governs itself to the extent that major decisions (buying, selling, mortgaging, etc.) are subject to a vote of 2/3 of the members in good standing present at a properly called meeting of the parish; • All major decisions are subject the approval of the local Hierarch. This approval also extends to the ratification of all parish council elections. Those elected cannot take office until such time as the local hierarch ratifies their election.
Dispute Resolution Procedures FURTHER APPEAL: to Hierarch Hierarch has sole discretion & final determination Determination forwarded to hierarch within 60 days for review/approval • III. Disputes involving Parishioner & Parish Council • or Parishioner & Parish Assembly APPEAL Local Dispute Resolution Panel A standing panel appointed by the Hierarch from among the Local Council membership Voting Members: 1 Priest, 2 lay persons ~ preferably including an attorney Non-Voting Member: Chancellor of Archdiocesan District/Metropolis FIRST LEVEL REVIEWChancellor of Respective Archdiocesan District / Metropolis Pastoral Intervention by Parish Priest
Our Responsibility It is our responsibility as parish leaders to inform all concerned of these dispute resolution procedures and urge them to use them whenever a dispute arises within the Church family.
“Parish councils help do the work of the church. And ‘the work of the church’ is to continue the work of Jesus Christ in the world.” ~ Fr. Stanley S. Harakas ~
Parish Council G.O.A. Regulations Part 2 | Article 24 To serve on a Parish Council is a ministry and all those who serve are called to represent Christ and the Orthodox Faith to all whom they meet in all aspects of life. The Parish Council shall consist of the Priest who shall guide and oversee the Parish as the spiritual leader, the head of the Parish by virtue of the ecclesiastical authority vested in him, and a number of elected lay leaders. The Priest together with the Parish Council is responsible to the respective Hierarch for the whole life and activities of his Parish. Each Parish shall be administered by the Priest and Parish Council cooperatively.
The Ministry of the Parish Council • Proclaiming and teaching the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox Faith • Sanctifying the faithful through God's grace in worship, the Divine Liturgy and the other sacraments • Enhancing its parishioners’ spiritual life • Adding to the numbers of the faithful by receiving persons into the Church through instruction, baptism and/or chrismation. • REGULATIONS OF THE G.O.A.
The Parish Council has a unique role and a responsibility to demonstrate to the local parish that they are part of their respective Metropolis, the Archdiocese, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate and their respective ministries. The stronger the bond between them, the more vibrant the parish, Metropolis, and Archdiocese will be. For this reason, attendance at meetings, workshops and Clergy-Laity Assemblies & Congresses is essential. The Parish Council members are responsible to the their Parish Assembly and Hierarch for conducting the affairs of the parish, keeping with the mission, aims and purpose of the Church. • The Parish Council must understandand adhere to the Archdiocesan Regulations, as well as federal, state, and local statutes which apply to the parish.
Who can participate in the Administration of the Church? • Parishioners in Good Standing | Article 18 • The Canonically Baptized and Chrismated; • 18 Years of Age or Over; • Live according to the tenets of the Orthodox Faith; • Faithfully attend Divine Liturgy and Participate in the Sacraments; • Contribute toward the progress of the sacred mission of the Church; • Remain current in stewardship obligation to the Church (the priest may waive this under special circumstances); • Cooperate in every way towards the well-being of the Parish. May non-Orthodox spouses of members participate in the parish’s governance? Only Orthodox Christians who are in good standing with the Church are able to participate in the governance of the parish. However, non-Orthodox spouses are welcome and should be encouraged to participate in the various ministries & activities of the church with the approval and under the guidance of the parish priest.
Responsibilities of the Parish Council Assisting the Priest in administration of the affairs and ministries of the Parish; Establishing committees, including Stewardship, Finance, Outreach, Youth, Education and Planning; Implementing and expanding the Parish Stewardship program and ministries; Preparing budgets and collecting the revenue of the Parish; Providing financial resources for the Parish’s administration and ministries; Submitting to the respective Hierarch and the Archdiocese, at the end of each year, the financial statement of the Parish for that year (certified by the Parish’s Board of Auditors) and the Parish budget for the ensuing year; and, Submitting annual Parish profile reports that may berequired by the Archdiocese and the respective Archdiocesan District/Metropolis.
Fiduciary Responsibility of the Parish Council The Parish Council members have fiduciary responsibility for the parish. Upon assuming their position on the council, individual council members accept responsibility for the proper management of the financial matters of the parish. All Church funds received through stewardship, special gifts, fund-raisers, bequests, etc. are for theministry of the church and all decisions must be understood in this context. Funds contributed for a specific purpose (dedicated funds) may only be utilized for that specific purpose.
One of the more important and often overlooked roles of the Parish Council is planning: • developing a vision of the parish’s future and its implementation • identifying and implementing needed improvements and new ministries • instituting succession planning
The parish operates most effectively in an atmosphere of peace, love, and unity. The open sharing of information regarding plans, decisions and finances dispels rumors and contributes to an atmosphere of trust.
The Ministry of the Parish The Mission of the Parish is the Mission of Jesus Christ; to keep, practice and proclaim His Kingdom on earth. GROUP DISCUSSION Scripture: Luke 10:29-37 Parable of the Good Samaritan How does the Parable of the Good Samaritan reflect the Mission of the Parish?
A Paradigm Shift One cannot separate the ministry of the Church from the management of the Church. The business of the church must be managed in a way that supports the mission of the Church. What is the mission of the Parish? The mission of the Parish is the Mission of Jesus Christ; to keep, practice and proclaim His Kingdom on earth.
Identify and Organize Ministries With the Priest, the Parish Council is to identify all the ministries that exist or should exist in the parish. Together these ministries are organized into interrelated groupings. The recommended number of groupings should be equal to the number of elected Parish Council members except President & Treasurer. organize
A Typical Grouping of Parish Ministries • Education and Culture Life • Parish Life • Youth • Religious • Stewardship • Outreach and Welcoming • Interfaith Marriage • Planning and Budget • Facility Operation • Facility Development • Facility Finance • Philanthropy Suggested implementation... Each January, all Parish Council members (except the Priest, the President, and the Treasurer) indicate in writing their ministry preferences and their qualifications. The Priest and President then appoint the Council members to ministries based on each member’s gifts and talents.
What is the Role of the Parish Council Member as Liaison? Ideally, each ministry program, activity, or event is headed by a parishioner who is not a member of the Parish Council. Thus the primary role of a Parish Council member assigned to a Ministry is to oversee the work and serve as liaison for the Parish Council. • Assist in organizing and improving the ministry • Recruit and develop leadership for the ministry • Monitor each ministry’s progress & intervene when necessary • Support and encourage ministry’s workers • Assisting with budgeting • Acknowledge work & progress both privately and publicly
Parish Council Leadership Mentoring • I do it. You watch me do it. • I do it. You do it with me. • You do it. I watch you do it. • You do it. I do something else in the Ministry of the Parish. A succession strategy which includes mentoring of future leaders is critical for properly preparing individuals for taking their place on the Parish Council—for leadership as well as for the ministry liaison role.
In addition, the Parish shall establish educational and philanthropic activities to foster the aims and mission of the Parish and to edify its parishioners in the Faith and ethos of the Church. The Parish shall also engage in such inter-Orthodox, ecumenical and interfaith activities as are consistent with the policies of the Archdiocese, under the guidance of the parish priest.
What is Servant-Leadership? When the mother of John and James, Sons of Zebedee, requested from Christ that her sons sit at the right and left of Him in His Kingdom, Christ responded, “I came not to be served but to serve and give my life as ransom for all.” –Matthew 20:20-28
Leadership Traits • Initiates • Provides Ideas and Structures • Takes the Risk of Failure • Elicits Trust • Is a Good Listener and Responds to Problems by Listening • Always Accepts and Empathizes, Never Rejects • Is Genuinely Interested in the Followers • Has a Sense for the Unknowable and Foresees the Unforeseen • Is a Good Communicator • Is Naturally Intuitive
Leadership and Vision • “ULTIMATELY VISION INFORMS AND SHAPES EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, THE LIFE THAT WE LIVE, ALL THAT WE ARE.” • Williams & McKibben, Oriented Leadership • Understanding the Kingdom of God • Living the Kingdom on Earth • Developing a Vision based • on the Kingdom of God • Applying it in the Local Community • Leaders have to live the vision, or they will ultimately fail. When the leader is not serious about living the vision consistently, neither will the followers. When the leader lives his vision inconsistently, so will his followers.
Continued… “Without the experience, training, and calling which our leaders bring, the vision could easily be wrong; without the consensus and practical perspective brought by the followers, the vision could just as easily be incomplete.” Williams & McKibben, Oriented Leadership
What is the leadership role of the Parish Council and its members? • The Parish Council should provide the Parish Assembly with the information it needs to make informed and sound policy decisions. • Parish Council members are expected to act on the reality that by being the most visible parish group, they serve as model for the parish—either positive or negative models impacting the behavior of other parishioners. • Parish Council members are expected to attend church services and participate in the sacraments, thereby setting an example for fellow parishioners. • Parish Council members are expected to participate in parish events and functions, setting an example for fellow parishioners. • Everything we do as parish leaders has a ripple effect… it either helps or it hurts.
Servant-Leadership is Sharing the Vision Leading by Example • People can only be empowered by a vision they understand. • Understanding is enhanced by participation. • Participation produces empowerment. • Belasco, Teaching the Elephant to Dance Case in Point: When Parish Council members openly support the parish’s stewardship ministry, the parishioners will more likely respond enthusiastically to the annual stewardship drive as well as remaining current on their offering of time, talent, and treasures.
Continued… A leader is not someone who stands alone but someone who lives in relation to a group of people. In the case of the Church we are there to serve our Community. We need the Church’s direction, the Grace of God and the assistance of others to do and complete our task. • Live the example of your LEADER, our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. • Nurture your relationship with Him. • Listen to His voice. • Allow others and especially your priests and Fathers of the Church to mentor you. LEADERSHIP WITHOUT LOVE IS SELF-SERVING AND NON-CHRISTIAN.
GROUP DISCUSSION Thinking of the Ministry of the Parish Council and leadership, what is the difference between these cartoons?
Clergy-Laity Congress Article 4 Except for dogmatic and canonical matters, the Congress is concerned with all other matters which affect the life, mission, growth and unity of the Archdiocese and especially the uniform administration of the Archdiocesan District, the Metropolises and the Parishes. It is also concerned with the educational programs, financial programs and philanthropic concerns of the Archdiocese as well as the participation and role of the Archdiocese in the life of America. The Congress makes such decisions as it deems appropriate. The Congress is the legislative instrument of governance of the Archdiocese.
Article 17 | Clergy Section 1: The Priest by virtue of his canonical ordination and assignment heads and administers the Parish and exercises on its behalf the priestly duties, which consist in shepherding the Parish entrusted to his care, directing its orderly life, preserving its unity and keeping it faithful to its divine purpose. Section 2: Clergy are assigned or transferred by the respective Hierarch within his Metropolis by virtue of the authority of his office and in accordance with the canons, ecclesiastical procedure and the needs of the Archdiocesan Metropolis. A. In accordance with the canons and ecclesiastical procedure, neither the Parish Council nor the Parish Assembly is authorized to dismiss a Priest. Section 3: The Priest shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the spiritual life and growth of the Parish, including, but not limited to, divine worship and related personnel.
Sexual Misconduct Policy GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America recognizes that Sexual Misconduct can have devastating consequences for a Victim and his or her family, for the Church community at large, and for all individuals involved. The Archdiocese therefore adopts this Statement of Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct . www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/documents/misconduct_policy.asp
Article 16 | Parish Property Church facilities are to be used for the ministries of the Parish. The Parish shall hold title to all real estate and personal property in its corporate name. Purchase of property must follow specific procedures for approval by Parish Assembly and respective Hierarch. Architecture, Iconography and Artistry must be in accordance with the Orthodox tradition. All plans for building, renovation, iconography must be approved by the respective Hierarch. Special contributions, bequests, and gifts beyond stewardship must be used for the purposes for which they were made.
Board of Auditors & Board of Elections On behalf of the General Assembly the members of these boards are elected or appointed. • The Audit Board assesses the implementation of established fiscal policy. • The Election Board provides for the proper election of effective Parish Council leaders.
Scripture Reading The Good Samaritan Luke 10:29-37 New King James Version (NKJV) 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
