Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 93 No. 3, 2023.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.93.3.8
Building Resilience in the Church: Organisational and Personal Perspectives
Piotr Janas
orcid.org/0009-0001-7151-0759
; Department of Social Sciences, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Rome, Italy
Abstract
This paper explores the role of Church leaders in fostering resilience. It begins by acknowledging the contemporary context characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity; brittleness, anxiety, nonlinearity, and incomprehensibility. The Church addresses the spiritual and cultural crisis of individualism by providing a sense of community, support, belonging, and formation, particularly in virtues. Church leaders can foster personal resilience by guiding individuals when interpreting reality, developing self-awareness, and promoting a sense of responsibility. Mapping available resources, categorized as skills, supports, strategies, and sagacity (4 S’s), is an effective method. Additionally, practicing virtues, as advocated by the Church, plays a crucial role in building resilience. Learning routines, resembling virtues in their curiosity-driven and ongoing nature, origin in society, contextual flexibility, focused action, and commitment to improvement, empower individuals as lifelong learners, promoting growth and resilience. The Church’s approach embraces personalism, highlighting the unique, rational, and personal nature of human beings and recognizing the inherent dignity of each individual. A person-centered approach to resilience is teleological, value-based, integrative, collaborative, and responsive. Reflection and assessment are vital for intellectual development and continuous learning. Moreover, personalist resilience acknowledges the importance of cultivating relationships and receiving community support. Furthermore, the Church can foster personal resilience by enhancing its own organizational resilience. This involves prioritizing process reliability and promoting a culture of learning, adaptation, and proactivity. By doing so, trust and a sense of community are built, contributing to the personal resilience of Church members.
Keywords
resilience; personalism; virtue ethics; learning; organizational studies
Hrčak ID:
311232
URI
Publication date:
12.12.2023.
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