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The Catholic Church has many methods of discernment for individuals. Yet, few modern Catholic institutions have a way to discern together what God’s will is for their organizations. Working with Catholic leaders for many years now, I have found that the normal operating procedure is to make plans and then ask God to bless them, rather than to truly ask God to reveal his plan to those gathered in his name. We need to operate differently. But how do we discern God’s will together?
Below is one way (not the only way) to discern God’s will together. This process is built upon the spiritual principles of individual discernment and community which have been handed down by Catholic Saints and leaders.
YOU MUST PRAY TOGETHER
As I recently pointed out, many Catholic clergy, religious, and lay professionals are struggling with their own prayer lives and even more staff, leadership teams, and offices pray sparingly together, if at all. The first step is one of the most important.
First - each member of the team must pray individually. Every day. Personally.
Second - the team must pray together for extended periods, regularly (weekly at least, if not daily).
The lack of prioritizing both personal and team prayer tells us just how little we value prayer! There is no discernment of God’s will without prayer. Full stop!
Another issue with prayer may arise within the team - how do we pray together? I have been in a room full of very prayerful and good people who can’t agree on how they ought to pray together. It is frustrating. This is why there is no ONE way to pray together, there are many ways. So, mix it up. Try different things. Here are some tips for group prayer in a discernment process:- Describe what you will do in your group prayer, before you do it, so that everyone knows what to expect and how to participate.
- Silence should not only be allowed, but expected. Describe to others what will happen before and after silent prayer, as well as how long it might last.
- Let others know that spontaneous prayer need not be long or sound “pretty”. The point is honesty before God.
- Pray with Scripture and allow time to meditate on it. Lectio Divina can be a great way to pray together before a time of discernment.
- Intercede for the needs of your people, institution, and individuals in the room.
- Praise the Lord in song. This can set a proper “spiritual posture” for the rest of the time together. All we do is about God and not us.
- Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying a rosary together, doing Liturgy of the Hours, praying the Angelus, etc. can also be a great way to pray together. Still, you ought to give room for prayers that are not rote.
CLARIFY WHAT THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS WILL BE
Too many decisions are made without knowing who is making the final decision and how the decision will be made. This ought to be clarified up front. Here are some basic ways decisions can be made:
Delegated decision - The Bishop or Pastor can appoint others to make decisions for him.
Consensus decision - Gather everyone around a shared decision.
Expert decision - Allow one person or a small number of experts decide. (Note - this is another delegated decision).
Collaborative decision - Receive info and input from a group (can be large or small group), then the leader (or small leadership team) makes the final decision.
Command decision - The top leader makes the decision.
Once there is clarity about what kind of decision will be made and who is making it, then we must also clarify how the final decision will be communicated to others that it impacts.
HAVE HONEST AND OPEN DISCUSSION
Honest and open discussion doesn’t come naturally to most groups of people. This needs to be learned, practiced, nurtured, and then reinvigorated when it falls off. Healthy discussion involves healthy disagreement and debate. What makes it “healthy”? When you can discuss issues as issues and not through our personal baggage, frustration with others, or anger. It should be done from a place of interior peace, detachment, faith, and selflessness.
Truly listening to each other matters. If we come into a planning meeting just wanting to get our way (Lord forgive me for when I have done this!), then we sometimes push God off the throne to be crowned king of the day ourselves.
There are many questions that might help bring about a healthier environment, including:- Does this bring more glory and acclaim to God or humans?
- How can we be aware of mere human ingenuity or ideas?
- What agendas do we have and how can we name them and leave them behind during this discernment?
- What preconceived ideas do we have?
- Do we expect this effort to bring forth spiritual fruit? If so, how and what kind?
- Did we have an open discussion where objections, support, questions, etc. we're free to be shared?
- What are the pros and cons?
- Does the group have a consensus of consolation or desolation about moving forward?
- Did we pray enough together? If not, why not?
- What is God saying in each individual's prayer to the group?
- What light do Scripture and the Catholic Church’s teachings shed on the issue?
- Do we need the input of others to make a decision?
- What are our particular community’s gifts?
- What do we currently know about the situation?
- What do we not know about the situation?
- Do we need a SWOT analysis, further testing of ideas, or more time to make a decision?
SEEK PEACE AND CONSOLATION
Once discussion and prayer are trending toward a certain outcome - test it. Is there peace and consolation among the members of the room? What are the participants thinking and feeling presently? What desolation or anxieties are rising up? Where are they coming from?
As in personal discernment, a group never wants to make a decision when desolation is in place. Rather, you need the group to be in consolation and peace. Knowing that God is leading your group and your process.
Once you have consolation, then pray more.
Further questions need to be asked as well, including:- What are our next steps?
- Who will lead and help with the next steps?
- What is our timeline?
NEVER STOP PRAYING TOGETHER!
Discernment need not be difficult, but it certainly takes prayer, time, and allowing God to lead us. He will do so, if we allow him to do so.
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If you work for a Catholic institution that could use more practical Catholic leadership skills, then look into CMD Circles or CMD Cohorts.
