Pastors Chapter Summary

1345 Words3 Pages

Another important issue for pastors is “Risk Management,” which is the focus of chapter six. In this chapter, John McGovern, a Chartered Professional Accountant, proposes five guiding principals to help eliminate or minimize risks to parishes. First, he suggests that “good rules, polices, and structures make for good employees and volunteers within the parish.” Second, it is better to be proactive and to manage risks before they turn into crises. Third, every pastor should make sure that there are rules and regulations in place for both employees and volunteers that are regularly enforced. Fourth, since priests are stewards of parish assets, they have the responsibility of taking care of those resources by making sure that they are not squandered. …show more content…

Catholic dioceses had experienced fraud or embezzlement over the last five years… because [they were]… too trusting.” Zech suggests that all churches should adhere to the following six recommendations: 1.) regularly rotate offertory counters; 2.) create fraud polices for the parish; 3.) conduct annual internal audits and triannual external audits; 4.) publicly disclose the names and professions of every member of the parish finance council; 5.) have an open and transparent parish budget process; and 6.) ensure that there are anonymous ways for both staff members and parishioners to report irregularities and fraud. By following these wise suggestions, parishes should notice things: first, they should reduce fraud; and second, they will strengthen parishioners’ confidence in both the pastor and the parish finance …show more content…

his strengths and weaknesses) so that he can build effective councils that can help him govern the parish better. Corcoran also calls attention to the fact there is a difference between a pastoral council and a finance council. A pastoral council is not necessary and only exists for the sole purpose of providing consultation to the pastor, whereas the existence of a finance council is mandated under canon law. Both councils exist for the sole purpose of helping the pastor govern the parish; however, ultimate authority for all decision-making within the parish rests with the priest. According to Corcoran, councils should be composed of 7-12 parishioners from diverse and well-qualified backgrounds. Council members should also ideally be appointed for short two to three-year terms. Corcoran also recommends that pastors should plan and manage council meetings in such a way that they can achieve the outcomes that the priest desires (i.e. short, effective, and informative meetings). A final thought that Corcoran offers is that council members should occasionally be acknowledged and praised within the parish for their

Open Document