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What makes Orthodoxy unique? What makes our parish special? be understood, and in turn reinforced, by rigorously examining the parish from the point of view of parishioners or non-parishioners who participate in parish programs. What are the full needs of the people who take advantage of parish services? this self-knowledge in the form of a clear and concise statement of identity; this may well require a parishioner

Recently, one very wealthy parishioner, both faithful and of immense good will, was insistent that the

.” – Miyamoto Musashi ​ Parishioners need the priest to think strategically regarding the future of the Every priest’s temptation is to deal with what’s directly in front, because it always seems more urgent Eventually we have to go upstream and discover what is causing this!”. To pull that off, they need to: Understand what drives other people’s agendas, including what remains They have to do what they can to keep honest feedback coming.

The priest and lay leadership are forever negotiating for time, resources, talent and action from parishioners What do you each have that the other wants? What are you each comfortable giving away? What has the outcome been in the past, and what precedents have been set? What are the consequences for the other person? Power: Who has what power in the relationship? What power does the other person have to deliver what you hope for?

But what of the underlying driving factors that are affecting where the parish is headed? What is God’s will for us? What are all too often the alternatives to knowledge-based and mission-based decision making? Yes, they have several priests and a handful of office staff but it does demonstrate what is possible undertake an all community Internet-based and paper-based survey soliciting the evaluative comments of parishioners

Parishioner or arms length? to the kind of education building, hall or sanctuary that reflects the concern of a church for its parishioners What messages should the parish convey with its buildings?

They may or may not have interview sheets that are designed to draw out of parishioners their thoughts

the list of potential volunteers by developing a recruiting team through a large circle of trusted parishioners A clear understanding of what is involved enhances the possibility that the recruited volunteer will

What is there to lose except a little time? What is there to gain? vocabulary and sometimes widely divergent view of Orthodoxy and then to look for ways in which this parishioner What are you good at? What comes easy for you? What aspects of your professional life might be assets to a local charity or community effort? What personal or interpersonal talents do you have?

seminary training and gifted with the sacrament of ordination he does not see where, how, when and what Every priest considers his prophetic calling to be a change agent in parishioners’ lives. What needs to change and what steps are necessary to implement the change?

protect the integrity of the ____ (name of the parish or organization) decision-making process, to enable parishioners

parish is an exercise that enables a priest, together with a small group of interested and concerned parishioners What does an Internet search reveal? b. What does the telephone book reveal? c. What messages does it send? What do they say? Are no materials available? What does that say? 5. The Sunday experience. a. What information is gathered from those who wander in? d. What information is distributed?