Advantages of Working in Groups
He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two .....” —Mark 6:8
It seems that from the beginning, the followers of Jesus were not meant to work alone.
Groups of people can accomplish things that they could not accomplish as individuals. Working in groups requires the ability to cooperate and collaborate in order to achieve desired goals. The Pastoral Councils, committees and other organizations of a parish operate like most working and decision making groups.
There are many advantages to working in groups. Research on group process indicates that groups provide:
- a broad range of experiences
- many points of view
- mutual support of members
- an opportunity to share perspectives, which can bring about a richer understanding of a situation or issue
- an opportunity to build on the energy of others
- the ability to divide work that must be done
- support for decisions made in the group
Although Parish Pastoral Councils, committees and other organizations function like similar working groups in communities, institutions and businesses, they are different because of the mission and call that their members received at baptism. Each member of a parish group received the Spirit of God and a call to holiness in Baptism. This shared call and mission should guide the nature of the discussions and decisions made in a parish group.
For additional information read: Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills by David W. Johnson and Frank P. Johnson.
Synod Initiatives
- Evangelization and "The New Evangelization"
- Structures for Participation and Accountability
- Ongoing Education and Formation: Adults, Young Adults and Youth
- Ministry and Leadership: Lay, Consecrated Life and Ordained
- Eucharist and Sacramental Living
- Social Justice: Living at the Service of God's Reign
