When expertise counts

Priests are perceived as wisdom people in the community. Throughout our history, they have provided counselling to those in need, rejoiced with those who are happy, mourned with those who are sad and lived right in the midst of the people they serve.

Especially in recent times though, priests who are called to serve in parish situations are facing a barrage of regulations and rules that our predecessors never had to worry about. Enter the dawn of committees, groups of lay people who are called upon to help with some of the decision making that is integral to running a good ship.

This week, I've had occasion to meet with two such groups: the Liturgy committee and the Property and Maintenance committee. Admittedly, priests can have a certain comfort level already established when it comes to things liturgical, but touching base with a representative group of the people in the pews always helps us to keep our fingers on the pulse of the people who are recipients of the things we have to offer. On the other hand, priests are not necessarily experts in the domain of things structural, so it is particularly helpful to have a group of people who know a thing or two about walls, doors, roofs and all things that hold them in place.

These periodic meetings don't have to be long, drawn out affairs, but they do need to be frank exchanges about the truth of the matter. Priests who rely on these committee members to share their knowledge need also to trust that the advise given is born out of experience or at least informed by a certain acquired expertise.

In the end, I am thankful to be able to glean some of the wisdom of these people, and to share with them at least some modicum of the burden of governance that comes with the exaulted or lowly position of shepherd.