Parish Pastoral Councils, Diocesan and Deanery Pastoral Councils and Pastoral and Parish Leadership teams are all invited to explore best practices of pastoral governance within our faith communities in the next webinar of a series hosted by the Pastoral Ministry Network (formerly known as NAPPA) and the Mission Planners Network of Oceania (MNPO).
Building upon the first national webinar, which focused on knowing our community and was attended by 180 people from across Australia and New Zealand, this upcoming webinar will speak to models and principles that are emerging for leadership in our church communities.
The webinar, to be held on Tuesday 20 October at 11am AEDT, will highlight models of church leadership from around the world and in the Australian and New Zealand landscape and draw upon the recommendations from the Australian Governance Review, The Light from the Southern Cross.
In this time of COVID-19, the need for effective community engagement and innovative planning for mission has become even more pronounced. It has provided new opportunities for co-responsibility as we continue the building up of the Body of Christ and in the participation of the Church’s mission.
Stephen Reid, chairperson of the Mission Planners Network explained, “These webinars offer the opportunity to come together to hear some of the best practices when it comes to leadership in our faith communities. The importance of good leadership and pastoral planning for Christ’s Mission is vital as we continue to respond to new ways to be community in a 21st-century church.”
Fr Gregory Jacobs, Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish Emerton-Mt Druitt in the Diocese of Parramatta also identifies the need for good pastoral governance in leading faith communities. “The need for good structures and processes in our parishes and dioceses is not an adjunct to the work we do, but rather empowers communities to bring to life Christ’s mission in a safe way. Principles such as safeguarding, planning, health and safety are critical to creating safe and welcoming communities for all God’s people.”
Sophy Morley, Diocesan Coordinator for Liturgy & Pastoral Ministry and the Plenary Council in the Diocese of Sale described the webinar platform as “very user-friendly for people to access. Participants appreciated the ease of connection made with people from other parishes, dioceses, states and even from other countries to hear and share experiences of community.”
Register for the webinar Exploring Best Practices for Pastoral Governance at the Service of Christ’s Mission, at tinyurl.com/oceaniawebinaroct20. For further information, please contact Lisa on 0448 652 720.
This event will be hosted by the Pastoral Ministry Network (formerly known as NAPPA) and supported by the Mission Planners Network Oceania and the Diocese of Parramatta.
