Finding the ‘C-suite’ spot in my ministry as a parish pastor

October 2024

By Father Stephen Durkee

“Father, I wish you didn’t have to worry about the administrative needs of the parish. That way, you could focus on the things that really matter.” Many people have expressed this sentiment to me over my seven years of priesthood. I often cringe when I hear these words — not out of embarrassment but because something about them feels unsettling. It’s even more disheartening when I hear  another priest say, “I wish I didn’t have to worry about all this administrative stuff.” Until recently, I couldn’t quite articulate why.

In the Gospel of Mark, after Jesus disembarks from the boat, he “saw the vast crowd, [and] his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things” (Mk 6:34). Jesus pitied the crowd because they lacked shepherds, leaders to guide them. Priests are called to be these shepherds, tasked with caring for the pastoral and  sacramental needs of the parish. As shepherds, priests are called to teach and preach, helping the community grow in wisdom and faith. They are also called to lead, which includes guiding and governing the parish.

In my four years as a pastor, I have often felt more like a CEO. Recent staff changes, including the retirement of two beloved team members and the search for their replacements, have prompted me to reflect on how we can be more efficient, creative, and effective in our evangelization efforts. I initiated a capital campaign to beautify our sanctuary, which involved fundraising and beginning the building phase of the project. Additionally, the creators of the popular Hallow app reached out to St. Pius X to create a partnership, which has opened exciting prospects for our parishioners this fall. Feeling like a CEO isn’t a bad thing; it’s very beneficial.

When dealing with these administrative tasks, I am not left to struggle alone. The diocese’s HR department, experienced staff members, and parishioners with expertise have provided invaluable support. The capital campaign, while daunting, was made smoother with the help of a team of professionals from the parish. The partnership with Hallow reflects a shared vision with our team at St. Pius X. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that a priest has many resources, professionals, and supportive individuals around him to help carry out the parish’s mission.

We are not alone and don’t have to bear the burden by ourselves. However, the priest is the captain of the ship. To ensure smooth sailing, he needs to have a vision, and lead effectively. This is why I cringe when people say they wish I didn’t have to worry about administrative tasks. Removing these responsibilities from a pastor is like removing a captain from a ship — without a leader, there is no direction. The captain must trust the crew to perform their duties to keep the ship on course.

Leadership, trust, collaboration and delegation are crucial for successful ministry as a parish pastor. The people of God desire to be led and trust their priests to be shepherds, imitators of Christ the shepherd. As priests, we should not abdicate our responsibilities but instead embrace them to lead others to Christ.