Building a faith community: proclamation and performance

What makes a health care organization Catholic? A publicly proclaimed emphasis on a Gospel environment is one aspect. Leaders in these organizations thus must direct their efforts toward developing and facilitating the growth of a faith community in the workplace. A faith community's task is to promote and sustain personal growth through interpersonal relationships that assist members to share Jesus. Religious institutes (congregations) must involve laity in building a community of believers who can share on a deep level. By following Jesus' example and giving themselves freely to one another, persons can carry out the mission of both the Church and the healing ministry. Five criteria characterize a Catholic organization: Purpose and goals linked explicitly with Jesus; Values, attitudes, and beliefs derived from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures; Opportunities for faith celebrations; Corporate responsibility to apply the Gospel; Perception of being part of a larger missionary enterprise. Using these criteria, leaders can help develop a faith community by articulating and living the organization's philosophy and by determining with managers ways to translate these values into concrete action. Leaders should model tangible commitment to mission effectiveness, bridging the gap between proclamation and performance.