Empower the Church: Enlist the Help of a Leadership Council

by Fr. Joe Vetter
Director of Campus Ministry
Duke University

You and I have a mission.  Each of us has been entrusted with fulfilling Jesus’ commission to go and teach all nations.  As a Director of Campus Ministry, I have been sent to nurture Catholic leaders and engage a secular culture.  Others may be asked to teach in an elementary or high school, or feed the spiritual or physical needs of young adults, or lead an organization committed to finding God in our midst.

We can learn from others, but there is no definitive model for fulfilling our mission.  We are pioneers.  The Bible reminds us that we cannot “put new wine into old wineskins”.  Ours is a creative ministry.  Our work can seem overwhelming at times.  It’s important to remember that we are not alone.  We are the Catholic Church in the world.

Petrus consultant John Flynn often reminds me that a successful development program needs:  1) a compelling case, and 2) a blue ribbon committee.  I would add that we also have to:  1) bust our butt, and 2) step out in faith.

Jesus did not work alone and neither should we.  He enlisted apostles and disciples.  Who can you and I find to assist us?  I frequently have felt alone as I face the challenges of campus ministry.  I intuitively know that I need other people.

Who are these people?  Where can I find them?  After the Holy Spirit, people are our greatest resource.  Students, faculty, parents and alumni care about our mission.  This is not my ministry; it is the Church’s ministry.  We will never have enough staff, but God has all the people necessary to do his will.  It is our responsibility to engage the Church.  That’s the Catholic way.  A structure to consider is a Leadership Council.

A Leadership Council is a committee of committed, competent people, established to advise and support the Director and Staff to advance the mission of the organization. Some organizations include permanent members, some of whom serve on their Advisory Board.  This is good.  But often, we do not look beyond local institutions. Parishes and even dioceses are territorial. Some organizations are national and even international in their reach. Don’t limit yourself.  Find the most qualified people—wherever they live.  Why run on a generator when you can connect to the power grid?

Committed, capable people will enrich our ministry if we provide: 1) an invitation, and 2) a vehicle.  Council members cannot work full time, but they bring experience, perspective, influence, skills and resources staff does not possess.  They can offer reach (telling our story far from our central location to where they live); talent (many are successful people with skills we could not afford); influence (connections with the university or wider community, bishops, other Catholic donors and successful people); money (people invest in causes they understand and with which they are engaged).

Our mission is too important to compromise.  The first people who come to mind are not always the most helpful.  Who are the very best people to advise and assist us?
  - Successful people (at the top of their game)
  - Creative people (who think outside the box and challenge us)
  - People of faith
  - People passionate about your mission. 
  - Diverse people (who reflect the whole Church and don’t think alike).

Successful people want to make a difference.  They like to be with other successful people. Make sure they know they are needed, appreciated and making a difference.  Empower the Church and you will be blessed!

Father Joe Vetter is Director of the Catholic Center at Duke University in Durham, NC.