MAKING SENSE OF THE CHAOS (continued)

Submitted by Janet Hauter

Transition, however, is internal and often points to what needs to happen in you as a result of the change that is engulfing you. As we moved from frozen shock in 2002 to hot anger in following years to a steel-focused cold anger that examines root causes, we have changed. The good news is that we are empowered with more information than we ever thought possible in 2002.

Some of us yet struggle to let go of the Church that was (at least in our minds). It was a Church filled with Catholics resigned to the status quo. We become attached to the way things are, the relationships that we value (and at times revere). Such a perspective has power, security and influence all in neat boxes and we know who to go to when we need permission, safety and advocacy. We have had decades of conditioning that have made us be the Catholics we are today. Endings, however, demand letting go. Generally, it is symbolic to honor the good from the past and acknowledge that the past can no longer hold us captive.

Leaders must expect and plan for a variety of reactions and emotions acknowledging all as valid. Much like the journey of death and dying, in endings, people can be expected to have a variety of highly-charged emotions: shock, denial, bargaining, anger and sadness. 

As emotions find their way out, we enter into an in-between place, a neutral zone as Bridges calls it. Recognition that some things are ending, but we are not quite ready or capable of seeing what comes next. Lack of clarity and anxiety over the future occurs; we have been in this place as an organization. We have been an acculturated people conditioned to be mute, obedient and inactive in the face of change in the Church. 

During this time, people search for facts, look for answers and often become disillusioned when leader responses appear to be vague and unsatisfying. Bridges indicates that this is time that he calls “recreational complaining,” and at VOTF we are not strangers to this period. Yet, this is a time of great innovation potential; this is the time when breakthrough possibilities occur.

Finally, Bridges says that while the neutral zone was a period of idea incubation, directions become clearer and there is a higher degree of comfort, increasing acceptance and a commitment to a new vision. Often there is a sentiment similar to “We knew we had to change; we just couldn't figure out how.”

Bridges says this is a time to capitalize on four things:

1. Purpose: People need a sense of purpose at this time more than at others. Understanding the purpose behind changes being entertained is essential to ignite the passion we have about our Church. The Ireland scandal fueled more purpose-driven behaviors coupled with proof that what we experienced in the U.S. also occurred in Ireland, the Netherlands, Brazil, etc.--the templated pattern was no longer an accident or a fluke.

2. Picture: Imagining a future where we belong to a healthy Church that is collaborative, collegial and compassionate can fuel hope.

3. Plan: Identify steps and schedules when people will receive information, support and potentially function in productive actions. We have done just that in developing the Voices in Action campaign where there is something aligned for every interest to mobilize and effect the change we all desire.

4. Part: Give everyone a part to play in understanding their new role and relationships within the Church. We have developed strong, capable leadership teams that welcome your help, welcome any assistance you could offer to make each team's efforts a reality.

Since change always comes in waves in any healthy institution, change is constant. If our Church is going to keep up with the work of the Spirit, we must all gain more skills in change, transition and conflict resolution. In this chaotic time, it is essential that we keep our focus on solutions, solutions that will in fact bring about the Church we all so dearly hunger for.

Questions, Comments?

Please send them to Siobhan Carroll, Vineyard Editor at Vineyard@votf.org. Unless otherwise indicated, I will assume comments can be published as Letters to the Editor.