Concise Guide to Catholic Church Management Book

For fifteen years, the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John's University has been successfully training priests and pastoral leaders in management concepts and skills. Built upon this wealth of experience, A Concise Guide to Catholic Church Management connects the theory of academic training with the hands-on skills of pastoral practice.

Today's pastoral leaders are required to understand effective communications, budgeting, staff management, and legal responsibilities-all through the lens of Catholic values and tradition. This veritable ministry bible offers pastors and administrators ten succinct, informative chapters and is supplemented by free online materials.

Endorsements:

"When it comes to the fundamentals of Church management-especially at the parish level-this book is destined to become an indispensable resource. It is well-written, practical, theologically informed, and divides into easily referenced chapters."
Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C.,
President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

"After my first reading of A Concise Guide to Catholic Church Management, I am more anxious to return to this very helpful book. Because of my many years in parish, organizational, and diocesan management, I am certain that the insights offered here will be helpful at every level of the Catholic Church. The book is practical and much more than a self-help guide. I highly recommend this new resource for Church managers."

Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, PhD, DD
Bishop of Brooklyn

"The Vincentian Center for Church and Society at Saint John's University has produced a book that is refreshingly reader-friendly, rooted inGospel principles, and eminently practical for any priest, deacon, or lay minister entrusted with parochial leadership. Its pastoral/scriptural perspective makes it more than just another generic management manual about skills and techniques, but a guide specifically intended for Catholic leadership. Concepts are presented clearly and chapters conclude with relevant reflection questions and activities, designed to develop and apply the ideas, concepts, and techniques presented."
Most Reverend William Francis Murphy, DD., STD
Bishop of Rockville Centre

"Quite valuable for both its pastoral perspective and its practical suggestions! A profoundly wise compilation of lived experience useful to both ordained and lay Church administrators, no matter how many years are notched to their credit. Reflection guides make it ideal for both personal and group use. Kudos to St. John's Vincentian Center for Church and Society!"
Sr. Honora Remes, D.C.
Provincial of the Daughters of Charity, East Central Province

"The authors have skillfully blended real-life ministry experiences with sound ecclesial insight to generate this resource suitable for anyone seeking to learn or improve fundamental Church management techniques."
Reverend William J. Lechnar,
Director for Planning, Diocese of Greensburg
Pastor, St. Thomas More University Parish

"The most comprehensive guide available for both experienced and beginning Church leaders. This book is packed with timely and beneficial suggestions to deal with rapidly changing Church structures, personnel, and membership. It provides the equivalent of a full continuing education program for those serving in leadership positions, whether ordained or lay."
Sister Katarina Schuth, O.S.F.
Endowed Chair for the Social Scientific Study of Religion
St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, University of St. Thomas

"This excellent book is a must-read for lay and ordained leaders faced with the challenging task of management in parishes today. From servant leadership to employment law and accounting procedures, it's all here."
Michael Brough
Director of Planning & Programs
National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management

"In response to a common concern about the lack of financial and management training among the clergy and other Catholic leaders, the Vincentian Center for Church and Society is providing priests and other administrators with a valuable aid in navigating the management components of parish life. The formational focus of "priests in training" has been the spiritual dimension. The evolution and the complexities of the parish life call for new tools at the disposal of the parish priest. Now along with the Lectionary, the Roman Missal, and the Code of Canon Law we have another valuable tool in the pastoral arsenal for responding to the evolving landscape of Catholic ministry."
Rev. Richard Vega
President, National Federation of Priests' Councils