Canadian Church Leaders Podcast

Father Simon Lobo On Learning to Lead a Growing Parish, What Has Kept Him in Ministry and the Post-Pandemic Disciple

03.08.2021 - By CCLNPlay

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Father Simon is a priest at Saint Benedict Parish in Halifax, Nova Scotia and a member of Companions of the Cross.

He started at St. Benedict in 2015 as they were experiencing parish renewal and moving their congregation from “maintenance to mission”. With that came a changing of leadership skills required for Father Simon as their team grew to include other priests and deacons who he was now leading and supporting. The moments of sitting with someone, praying, visiting them in the hospital, and anointing with oil are close to his heart, though he has also appreciated the focus he can now have as a leader of leaders to invest in those who can in turn multiply his efforts. He references Tim Keller’s “Leadership and Church Size Dynamics” article where it breaks down how different sizes of congregations require different leadership styles and bring new challenges.

Another dynamic Father Simon has learned over the years is the importance of relationships and friendships with others to find companionship and avoid loneliness. He lives in a house with four other church clergy currently and shares about the joy of doing life together with different rhythms of prayer, meals, and support. Without this, he is not sure he would still be in ministry.

Blog | www.ccln.ca/season2/episode49

Website | www.ccln.ca

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