Parish Director of Administration Search

(Note: this was the "Pastor's Reflection" for the Good Shepherd Parish Bulletin, March 28, 1010.)

What does it mean for a pastor to "run a parish"?

I think the expectation -- conscious or unconscious -- most people have is that the pastor is (or should be) omnicompetent and omnipotent -- makes all the decisions and carries them out flawlessly and to everyone's satisfaction, including, of course, God's.

That's not the real world anywhere else, nor is it in the Church.

After my first nine months as your pastor of watching and listening, as well as reflecting, consulting, and praying, I am launching a search for a parish Director of Administration. This will be the person who will directly manage all business, financial, and organizational aspects of the parish, including supervision of staff and facilities. There is currently no one, except the pastor, who has real responsibility and authority in all these areas. It's impossible for one human being to try to maintain sole control in a situation like this, and crazy-making to even try. I need a partner who will serve essentially as my right hand -- parish COO, if you will -- in all the management responsibilities involved in running the parish.

That will free me to be, well, a pastor. Like I was ordained to do.

Our current business consultant, Bill Vondrasek, is chairing a search committee which will recruit applicants, review resumes, and interview the strongest potential candidates. Bill will be joined by Barbara Gunning, Bill Gould, and Rob Weiler, who are members of either the parish Pastoral Council or the Finance Council. Rounding out the committee will be Mary Jean Neault, who served as Director of Administration in my previous parish, and is currently Director of Pastoral Ministries there. Nobody knows "the field" as well as she does.

I hope by the first week of May, when I return from the Early Christian World Pilgrimage in Turkey, they will be able to present several top candidates for me to interview and make the final selection.

In addition to a full complement of administrative and managerial skills, this person must have knowledge and experience in how the Catholic parish works, both as institution and as community. This means prior experience in Church administration is a requirement.

The position opening is being publicized among a rather specialized target audience throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, but anyone who believes himself or herself qualified is welcome to apply. The salary will be commensurate with Archdiocesan scale, taking into account the person's qualifications. If you know anyone who may be qualified and interested, encourage them to send a resume and a written letter of interest to Bill Vondrasek, in care of the Good Shepherd Parish Office, 504 N. Roxbury Dr., Beverly Hills, 90210.

Please offer a prayer or two that the right person will surface who can effectively partner with me to serve the parish community well in this vital role.

God bless you always. I love you.