Living as Missionary Disciples

an orderly and disciplined way, basing choices on facts rather than assump tions, while retaining a degree of flexibility. In the end, it is always import ant to remember that a plan is a guide and that the Holy Spirit is the agent of the discipleship process. 3. Effective Planning for Ministry Requires Leaders The implementation of a successful pastoral plan requires pastoral min isters who are not just managers and administrators but spiritual leaders with requisite planning skills. Such pastoral leaders are faithful and have a strong love and commitment to Jesus Christ. They are able to inspire oth ers to share the Church’s mission through their engaging vision of a lived faith in the Holy Spirit that calls all the baptized to live as missionary disciples. Pope Francis frequently speaks of the ministry of leadership in the Church as being strongly grounded in personal, pastoral, and spiritual formation. Below, we share a few qualities and practices of model pastoral leaders, who can best help their planning team, drawn from documents of the Catholic bishops of the United States. 69 Pastoral Leaders Embrace Pastoral Formation Pastoral leaders, through their own behavior, lead and inspire others through an engaging vision, personal witness, and commitment as mis sionary disciples. A pastoral leader is in full communion with the Catholic Church, is able to minister joyfully and faithfully, and has a desire and willingness to accompany others on the spiritual journey toward Christ while living and teaching as the Church does. Pastoral Leaders Embrace Spiritual Formation The kerygma , or proclamation of the story of salvation, constitutes the foundation of spiritual formation for pastoral leaders. Spiritual leaders must not only know the kerygma and be able to proclaim it but also understand they are included in God’s plan of salvation, which continues today. Ongoing catechesis, prayer, and participation in the sacramental life of the Church are important for this facet of formation, as they strengthen conversion and enable disciples to persevere in the Christian life. Spiritual formation includes growing in love of God and his Church.

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