Our Lord had a very intentional approach to his relationship ministry and it looked like a little something like this: an inner circle of 3, a larger group of 12, and finally, the 72.  Peter, James, and John.  Then the Apostles.  Then the 72 disciples.  

Now, how is this mirrored in the parish?  The pastor stands in persona Christi capitas.  His parish leadership team mirrors the inner circle of Peter, James, and John.  His councils and staff mirror the apostles.  And his larger parish family mirrors the 72 disciples – who are meant to go out and change the world.

Practically speaking, what does the parish leadership do?  We meet every week for prayer and team building exercises, which are meant to facilitate vulnerability-based trust, which is then meant to facilitate the kind of discernment a leadership team needs to go on mission.  What we have found is that Our Lord is most generous with our efforts.  The parish leadership team exists to walk with the pastor as Peter, James, and John once walked with Christ.  The mission is friendship, good conversation, and teamwork.  Which then makes possible the ability to go on mission together as one.  

The Amazing Parish Movement has completely transformed my priesthood, nowhere more so, than through the gift of my parish leadership team.  Modern man needs living witnesses and our parish leadership team is called to be such a witness to the cultures we desire to see in the parish family at large.  By God’s grace, in the space of one year, our parish leadership team has already begun to see Him transform our simple loaves and fish in remarkable ways.  Blessed be God forever.     

- Father Zarse