
This begins our contributions to sharing what it's like to try to implement some of what synodality is calling for in real life circumstances, and what can assist leaders as they try to do so. Leading change has some normal things in it and we hope to remind one another regularly of these so we remain courageous and committed. The first contribution from PVP Team member Dana reminds us it's hard to lead change!
The movement toward a synodal parish is a change of culture. A BIG change involving conversion of mind and heart. Change of any type is just plain hard. But asking people, who think they are faithful disciples of Jesus, accepting the need to change some of what has been, especially if it’s been “good” does take surrender to the Spirit.
“Synodality is primarily a Spiritual disposition…It flows from the action of the Holy Spirit and requires listening to the Word of God, contemplation, silence and conversion of heart.” (The Final Document, ¶ 43). Talk about a big job! No one would take up a job like this without surrender to and assistance from the Holy Spirit. This requires an openness to conversion, to being on a conversion journey, to surrendering self, programs, processes and good results to the Spirit’s guidance. That is spiritual work.
One thing I learned in business organizational development is that change is always met with resistance: passive like ignoring an offer of help; active, like polite pushback; sabotage; sullen hostility, and chronic quarrels are among the behaviors you might see. ( Paul R. Lawrence. Harvard Business Review, How to Deal with Resistance to Change, Jan 1969).
Lewin’s Change theory offers us a model of change using the Unfreeze-Change-Refreeze to the new change. Unfreezing is akin to tilling the soil to allow the planting of the spirituality of Synodality. It means getting rid of what’s in the way of the Spirit, of being willing to surrender it all to the Spirit...to release the grip on what has been, even if it has been “good’. In all early adopting parishes, the unfreezing step is underway and one characteristic of the period is thinking you know what you are doing and thus resisting the investment of time it takes to be sure, to get formed in the new ways. It’s common to hear the kind of question that recently emerged in a group I am working with. While trying to participate in a synodal Conversation of the Spirit, the first remark in all three small groups was (paraphrased), “I’d like to hear a definition of synodal.” That indicated to all three of the facilitators that something was missing. And that was formation in synodality.
So the first step, Unfreeze, is to accept the need for formation in synodality. Lewin believed Unfreezing could be done with one of the following processes:
1. Ramp up driving forces that drive behavior toward the intended change
2. Slow down the resisting forces that are encouraging people to cling to the status quo
3. Use a combination of both to move the equilibrium toward change. Lewin’s Change theory
It is necessary to figure out which of the three elements in Unfreezing each person has some influence within. I have influence in #1 and am going to try and offer formation to two leadership groups. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I am preparing to design a presentation for them that would give them some background from the documents. I will include the official documents and original ones from this website. Two good ones are: “How do I recognize Synodality?” and “Pope Francis on What a Synodal Parish Looks Like .”
Resistance to change, any change, even if it’s been a practice or long held belief, can be difficult – but is normal. It can be hard to manage, but you must. Sometimes “good” things must end for conversion and change to happen to what the Holy Spirit wants.
Please pray with me, “Come Holy Spirit, Come.”
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