Unlike the parish staff and the finance council, pastoral councillors may not be experts in administration, liturgy, or education. But one need not be an expert in order to know the community, to study what’s best for it, and to apply common sense.
Parish staff members offer technical expertise, while pastoral councillors offer practical wisdom.
- Finance councils. Pastoral councils seek practical wisdom, while finance councils have special expertise.
- Prudence. There is good reason for a pastor to consult councillors, even he already has an excellent staff.
- Consultation in earnest. If pastors intend to consult pastoral councils, they should give them clear direction and respect.
- Chicago consultation. In 1989, Chicago’s plan for consultation was unclear about the measures of success.
- Fear of councils. Pastors at times do not consult councils because of tension between councillors and staff members.
