Kickstart 6 Session

Culture is all about who we are. It defines what we do, how we behave, and what we value. It is also key to the realization of a parish vision. Like the Sower in Jesus' parable, (Mt 13:1-23), when we cast our vision into a toxic culture, there is no fruit; however, when we cast vision into a healthy culture, the vision will become a reality and bear fruit. Additionally, culture can and does change. It is shaped by what we celebrate and what we tolerate.
When assessing culture, it is helpful to not only reflect on our own parish experience, but consider the experiences of others, especially guests and newcomers. To form a healthy culture, we need to be intentional about how we express our values and expectations for the parish. Additionally, we should be clear about how and why we make decisions, and how these decisions are ultimately aimed at engaging parishioners and empowering them for the work of mission.
Culture is important, and we must understand it if we hope to change it. Culture has a major role to play. It is a driving force for results; it influences how people interact, how teams operate, and the parish morale in general.

v6