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9781498533683

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In Collaborative Parish Leadership: Contexts, Models, Theology editors William A. Clark and Daniel Gast provide a thoroughly engaging account of INSPIRE—the collaborative leadership project funded by both the Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program and a partnership between Loyola University Chicago and the Archdiocese of Chicago.... The book’s aims as well as those of each chapter are unpacked in a thorough and engaging way, inviting the reader along the ten-year INSPIRE journey of collaborative parish leadership practices within a Roman Catholic Church context.... The various authors succeed in drawing this Protestant, neo-Pentecostal scholar into their experiences and reflections, which inspired him to consider these within his own context – the very reason why this book comes highly recommended for all who find themselves in pastoral leadership of any kind. * Reading Religion * How can a Catholic parish flourish?  How can parishes withstand the prevailing forces of secularization and apathy?  How can Catholics best respond to parish closings, clusterings and reconfigurations?  What parish model works best to build real community among its members? How can a multicultural parish effectively incorporate all its members?  How can pastors and pastoral associates successfully lead the contemporary parish?  All of these critical questions are thoughtfully considered and carefully answered in this deeply researched book based on grassroots experience and the most up-to-date scholarship. Collaborative Parish Leadership is an invaluable tool for understanding, supporting, and leading the place that most Catholics think about when they think about church. -- James Martin S.J., author of ""Jesus: A Pilgrimage"" and ""My Life with the Saints"" In the spirit of practical theology, this collection of essays blends excellent social research on parish life with theological reflections that include the perspectives of parishioners themselves. Based on explorations of parish life from the INSPIRE project in Chicago and CrossingOver in Germany, this work exemplifies true collaboration and yields rich harvests of insights that emerge from dialogue that moves across national, diocesan, and university boundaries. -- Barbara Fleischer, Loyola University New Orleans This collection of essays demonstrates the fruitful conversation at the intersection of organizational development and Church ministry. Bishops, diocesan and parish pastoral ministers, and Catholics who care about parish vitality should read this book. -- Mary L. Gautier, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate

How can a Catholic parish flourish? How can parishes withstand the prevailing forces of secularization and apathy? How can Catholics best respond to parish closings, clusterings and reconfigurations? What parish model works best to build real community among its members? How can a multicultural parish effectively incorporate all its members? How can pastors and pastoral associates successfully lead the contemporary parish? All of these critical questions are thoughtfully considered and carefully answered in this deeply researched book based on grassroots experience and the most up-to-date scholarship. Collaborative Parish Leadership is an invaluable tool for understanding, supporting, and leading the place that most Catholics think about when they think about church. -- James Martin S.J., author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage and My Life with the Saints In the spirit of practical theology, this collection of essays blends excellent social research on parish life with theological reflections that include the perspectives of parishioners themselves. Based on explorations of parish life from the INSPIRE project in Chicago and CrossingOver in Germany, this work exemplifies true collaboration and yields rich harvests of insights that emerge from dialogue that moves across national, diocesan, and university boundaries. -- Barbara Fleischer, Loyola University New Orleans This collection of essays demonstrates the fruitful conversation at the intersection of organizational development and Church ministry. Bishops, diocesan and parish pastoral ministers, and Catholics who care about parish vitality should read this book. -- Mary L. Gautier, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate

How can a Catholic parish flourish? How can parishes withstand the prevailing forces of secularization and apathy? How can Catholics best respond to parish closings, clusterings and reconfigurations? What parish model works best to build real community among its members? How can a multicultural parish effectively incorporate all its members? How can pastors and pastoral associates successfully lead the contemporary parish? All of these critical questions are thoughtfully considered and carefully answered in this deeply researched book based on grassroots experience and the most up-to-date scholarship. Collaborative Parish Leadership is an invaluable tool for understanding, supporting, and leading the place that most Catholics think about when they think about church. -- James Martin S.J., author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage and My Life with the Saints In the spirit of practical theology, this collection of essays blends excellent social research on parish life with theological reflections that include the perspectives of parishioners themselves. Based on explorations of parish life from the INSPIRE project in Chicago and CrossingOver in Germany, this work exemplifies true collaboration and yields rich harvests of insights that emerge from dialogue that moves across national, diocesan, and university boundaries. -- Barbara Fleischer, Loyola University New Orleans

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Rev. William A. Clark, SJ, is associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross. Daniel Gast retired from Loyola University Chicago after serving for nine years as Director of Project INSPIRE.

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