Description
Book SynopsisA Priest's Guide
Trade ReviewServing a faith community as its pastor is not like any other job. Transitions between pastoral assignments come with some unique challenges. Built on a strong biblical foundation, this guide offers practical strategies to help priests make that transition, whether for the first time or the fifth. This helpful and easy-to-read book should be handed out with letters announcing new assignments.Mary Elizabeth Sperry, author
Scripture in the Parish: A Guide for Catholic MinistryThis guide is an essential companion for the journey a new pastor must make and the challenges he will face in his first few critical months. It's a comprehensive, solidly-researched and practical resource that helps a new pastor to build strong relationships with staff and parishioners and thereby increase his own effectiveness.H. Richard McCord, former Executive Director of the U.S. Bishops' Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth
Excellent advice for handling the emotional, as well as organizational, aspects of leaving a parish and coming to a new one. This concise handbook is packed with concrete and practical `tools for the transition,' including a comprehensive list of questions one might otherwise forget to ask. Beginning with the image of dying and rising with Christ as a metaphor for the transition to a new ministry, Dr. Graziano Marcheschi has put together a sensitive yet straightforward spiritual GPS, to guide any priest-newly ordained or seasoned veteran-and help him avoid common pitfalls and overcome the anxiety that can come from all sides. A Priest's Guide should be on every priest's shelf-you know, that one shelf we all have that's close to our desk, with the books we go back to again and again.James L. Papandrea, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Church History, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Pastoral ministry today confirms the old adage that the only constant is change. A Priest's Guide offers practical advice for negotiating all the changes that come when a pastor moves to a new parish. Rooted in a healthy spirituality and nourished by common sense, this little book outlines a prayerful and proactive stance toward pastoral transition. A great resource!Edward P. Hahnenberg, Ph.D., author of Awakening Vocation: A Theology of Christian CallTable of ContentsContents Preface vii
Introduction 1
Part One: The Pastor and Transition The Spiritual Dimensions 5
Mapping a Transition 10
Part Two: The Pastor and Parish Staff in Transition Strategies for Entering Your New Parish 16
Strategies for Leaving Your Current Parish 31
What Doesn’t Work (or “How to Fail Even Before You Begin”) 38
Conclusion 41
Appendix: Administrative Interview Questionnaire 42
