Pastoral Groups

The Pastoral Groups Approach

Introduction

After reflecting on the feedback from the recent survey conducted at St. Catherine’s, it became clear that while we have a strong and diverse community, there are areas that need attention, particularly in communication, participation, and leadership development. In response, I propose the Pastoral Groups Approach, designed to enhance pastoral care, strengthen relationships within the congregation, and foster greater engagement in the life of the church.

This document outlines the survey findings, the rationale behind the approach, and the detailed structure of the Pastoral Groups Approach.

Pastoral Group Names

The members will be grouped based on proximity to the church. Ensuring also that each group also reflects the diversity that we have in the congregation.

The groupings should make it easier to arrange gatherings and communication based on proximity, ensuring that each member is included in a group closer to their area.


Matthew’s Pastoral Group: The Mattheans
Matthew is often associated with Antioch, a major city in Syria (modern-day Turkey), though some early traditions also suggest he may have ministered elsewhere, including in Jewish communities outside Jerusalem.


Luke’s Pastoral Group: The Lukans
While traditionally associated with Antioch, Luke travelled extensively with Paul and likely spent time in various cities throughout the Mediterranean, but he was not a resident of Jerusalem.


Mark’s Pastoral Group: The Markans
Traditionally linked with Alexandria, Egypt, where it is believed he founded the Christian community and served as its first bishop.


John’s Pastoral Group: The Johannines
Tradition holds that John spent his later years in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey), far from Jerusalem, where he is believed to have written his Gospel and other works.

5-Point Summary of the Survey Results

  1. Strong Sense of Community and Diversity:
    The congregation values the strong sense of community and diversity within the church. St. Catherine’s is seen as welcoming and inclusive, qualities that members appreciate.
  2. Challenges in Financial Stability and Volunteer Engagement:
    There is a need for a more stable financial foundation, and many noted that volunteer participation tends to be limited, with responsibilities falling on a small group.
  3. Need for Better Communication and Participation:
    Communication and engagement have been difficult due to the geographical spread of members. Many expressed a desire for better ways to stay connected and participate in church life.
  4. Interest in Expanded Outreach and Community Engagement:
    Respondents showed strong interest in expanding outreach efforts, especially in refugee and migrant ministries, indicating an opportunity to enhance the church’s impact in the wider community.
  5. Desire for Structured Support and Leadership Development:
    There is a call for clearer roles and more leadership development opportunities within the church. Members want to contribute meaningfully but seek a structured framework to do so.

The Pastoral Groups Approach

  1. Purpose:
    The Pastoral Groups Approach is designed to address the challenges identified in the survey by organizing the congregation into four smaller, diverse and geographically-based groups. Each group will have a pastoral leader and assistants to ensure communication, participation, and pastoral care are prioritized. The approach aims to provide personalized support while increasing engagement and leadership opportunities.
  2. Pastoring and the Pastoral Work of the Church
    Pastoring involves guiding and nurturing the spiritual lives of individuals and the community. The chaplain will initially lead the pastoral efforts, offering direction and support to the pastoral leaders, who will later take on more responsibility in the care of their groups.
  3. Pastoral Work includes worship services, spiritual guidance, pastoral counseling, and ensuring members are actively participating in church life. The goal is to create a cohesive, supportive environment where each person feels connected and cared for.
  4. Structure and Roles of the Pastoral Groups
    1. Definition of Pastoral Groups:
      Pastoral Groups will be small, diverse, geographically-organized units within the church. Eventually each will have a designated pastoral leader and assistants.
      The groups will be named after the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to reflect the church’s biblical foundation and to foster identity and unity.
    2. Pastoral Leaders:
      Eventually, pastoral leaders will take on responsibility for coordinating activities, maintaining communication, and ensuring pastoral care within their groups. They report regularly to the chaplain and gradually take over meeting leadership as they grow in their role.
    3. Assistants:
      Assistants support the pastoral leader in organizing activities, managing logistics, and serving as points of contact in the leader’s absence.
  5. Rotating Schedule for Sunday Services
    The schedule for each quarter will be shared in advance to give groups ample time to prepare for their responsibilities.
    Each group will be responsible for sponsoring one Sunday service each month, rotating the following roles:

    1. Readings
    2. Intercessions
    3. Offertory
    4. Hospitality and Welcoming (The Welcome Team will be consulted on this.)
    5. Assisting in worship space preparation and post-service fellowship (The Coffee Team will be consulted on this.)
  6. Group Meetings and Communication
    Meeting Leadership:
    In the beginning, meetings will be led by the chaplain to provide guidance, with pastoral leaders gradually taking over. Meetings will mostly take place on zoom due to geographical spread, but in-person gatherings will be arranged whenever possible to strengthen personal relationships.
    Meeting Frequency:
    Monthly virtual meetings (before each group’s designated Sunday service) to discuss group activities, responsibilities, and any pastoral needs.
    Occasional physical meetings, once a year or as needed, to foster personal connections and build community within the groups.

Rationale for the Pastoral Groups Approach

The rationale for the Pastoral Groups Approach is grounded in addressing the challenges and opportunities identified in the survey. Here’s how the approach responds to each of the key findings:

  1. Strengthening Community and Diversity:
    By organizing members into smaller, more intimate groups, we can cultivate deeper personal connections, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and community. The group names based on the Gospels also help reinforce the church’s identity and unity.
  2. Improving Volunteer Engagement and Participation:
    Assigning each group specific responsibilities for Sunday services ensures broader participation and spreads the workload among more members, addressing the limited volunteer engagement noted in the survey.
  3. Enhancing Communication and Connectivity:
    The geographical spread of the congregation has made communication challenging. The pastoral group structure provides a focused, organized way for leaders to keep in touch with members and ensure they are informed and engaged. Virtual meetings offer an accessible way to stay connected.
  4. Fostering Leadership Development:
    This approach provides a structured opportunity for leadership growth. Pastoral leaders and assistants are empowered to take on key roles, offering pastoral care and coordinating group activities with initial guidance from the chaplain. This gradual development allows for sustainable leadership growth within the church.
  5. Supporting Outreach and Community Engagement:
    While the primary focus is on internal engagement and care, this approach also creates the foundation for future outreach efforts. As the groups mature, they will be well-positioned to take on community-focused initiatives such as refugee and migrant ministries, which were highlighted as priorities in the survey.

Implementation Strategy for the Pastoral Groups

  1. Initial Setup
    1. Group Division:
      Members will be divided into four groups based on geographical proximity and diversity with consideration for family units and individual preferences.
    2. Identify and Appoint Leaders:
      One pastoral leader and at least two assistants will be appointed for each group, with the chaplain initially guiding the selection process.
  2. Orientation and Training
    1. Orientation Session:
      Pastoral leaders and assistants will attend an orientation to clarify their roles, responsibilities, and expectations for leading their groups.
    2. Training:
      Training will be provided on leadership development, pastoral care techniques, and group facilitation. Leaders will be mentored by the chaplain, who will provide guidance in the early stages.
  3. Launch and Regular Meetings
    1. Official Launch:
      The groups will be officially announced during Sunday services in January, with regular activities and responsibilities beginning in February (or alternatively, launch in February with full implementation in March).
    2. Regular Meetings:
      Monthly virtual meetings will be held for each group, focusing on Sunday service sponsorship, pastoral care updates, and group activities. The chaplain will initially lead, with leadership gradually shifting to the pastoral leaders.
    3. The clergy with PTO will also be divided and assigned to each group to help in providing pastoral, spiritual, and liturgical needs.
  4. Sunday Service Responsibilities
    Each group will take responsibility for specific roles during Sunday services, as outlined earlier. A checklist will be provided to ensure smooth coordination, and the schedule will be published in advance.
  5. Monitor and Adjust
    The chaplain and Church Council will regularly review the effectiveness of the approach. Feedback from pastoral leaders, assistants, and members will be collected and used to make necessary adjustments. An annual evaluation will assess the progress and refine the process as needed.

Conclusion:

The Pastoral Groups Approach is a structured and hopeful response to the needs expressed by the congregation in the recent survey. By enhancing communication, participation, and leadership development, this approach will help build a stronger, more engaged community at St. Catherine’s. While it is not a quick fix to all challenges, it can provide a foundation for continued growth and spiritual vitality in the life of our church.

+Antonio
The Chaplain