The Future of Leadership: An Easter Call to Renewed Mission 

As we celebrate the joy of the Risen Christ this Easter, we are reminded of the power of the resurrection—not only in our personal lives but also in the life of the Church. Let us be reminded of St Paul’s words to the Philippians: “All I want to know is Christ, and the power of His resurrection” (3:10). Easter is a season of hope, of new beginnings, and of renewed mission. At this holy time, we are called to reflect not only on the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection but also on what it means to be His Church in today’s world.

This is not merely an administrative challenge—it is a spiritual and missional one that belongs to all the baptised. Our parish’s mission is to be a vibrant community that actively accompanies people to encounter Jesus. This mission cannot be accomplished without mission-oriented people who are empowered to use their charisms to participate in this mission. And so, in the face of these changes, we are invited to reimagine what leadership in the Church looks like.

Redefining Leadership

Simply reshuffling parish boundaries or expecting priests to “do more with less” will not solve this challenge. What is needed is a redefinition of leadership in the Church—one rooted in our baptismal call and guided by the Holy Spirit. Leadership must no longer be seen solely as the role of the ordained. Instead, it is a shared vocation among all the baptized, rooted in service, mission, and the Gospel. Our call this Easter is to rise with Christ into a new vision of Church life—one where clergy and laity work together as co-responsible leaders in mission.

Train and Educate Leaders

First, we must invest in the formation of both clergy and lay leaders. Our leaders need to be equipped with the skills and spiritual depth necessary for mission-focused leadership. This includes theological education, pastoral training, and leadership development centred on evangelization and discipleship. Too often, priests are expected to be effective leaders, administrators, counsellors, teachers, and spiritual guides as soon as they are ordained. Likewise, many laypeople feel ill-equipped to step into leadership roles, even when they are eager to serve. Providing formation opportunities for all will help us build a culture where leadership is shared, supported, and spiritually grounded. Archdiocesan Ministries is once again facilitating the Catholic Leadership Intensive – a 10-session leadership program run on Monday evenings starting on 12 May. This will be open to all parishioners; please see inside the newsletter for enquiry details.

Embedding Mission-Focused Pastoral Leaders

In response to the opportunities before us, our parish is actively developing a new leadership structure that aligns with our mission and the evolving needs of our community. One key part of this renewal is the introduction of Mission-Focused Pastoral Leaders embedded within each of our Mass communities. These lay leaders will be intentionally formed and supported to lead with a clear focus on mission, not just maintenance. Their role is to help each community move beyond simply “keeping things running” and instead actively create spaces where people can encounter Jesus. This means fostering a culture of welcome, encouraging spiritual growth, promoting service, and building strong teams of volunteers and ministers.

This model is not about replacing the priest, but about expanding the leadership capacity of our parish.

It is about ensuring every Mass community has someone dedicated to drawing people deeper into discipleship and ensuring that mission remains the heart of all we do. With clergy stretched thin across multiple sites, this structure offers a hopeful and sustainable path forward—one where we all take responsibility for the spiritual life and mission of the Church.

A Harvest Waiting

In Matthew 9:37, Jesus tells His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” This verse feels especially timely in our current moment. There is no shortage of need, no shortage of people longing for hope, healing, and belonging. But there is a shortage of labourers—of leaders—willing to go into the fields. This Easter, let us renew our commitment to being those labourers. Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood—but also for vocations to lay leadership, to pastoral ministry, to accompaniment and evangelization. Let us be a parish that actively seeks out, supports, and forms new leaders. Let us be a community that brings others to encounter the Risen Jesus—through vibrant worship, compassionate service, and a shared commitment to the mission of the Church. Christ is risen! May we rise with Him, and may our leadership rise to meet the needs of this new day.

Peace and Easter Blessings, Fr Josh.