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Bridging the Divide Between Spiritual and Temporal Dimensions of the Church

The Catholic Church, in its rich and sacred history, has both a spiritual and temporal dimension working hand-in-hand to fulfill its mission. Yet, these two facets often operate in silos, leading to misunderstandings, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities for the advancement of the Gospel. This post aims to address the division between these domains, sharing practical steps and personal insights on how to overcome these challenges.

From decades of experience as a senior mission-driven executive within the Church, I’ve had the privilege to observe the interplay between spiritual and temporal roles. I’ve witnessed both collaboration at its finest and disconnection at its most counterproductive. Today, we’ll uncover ways to foster unity, understanding, and mutual respect between these essential components of the Church’s body.

Senior Mission-Driven Executives Must Be Cross-Trained in Ministry

Those responsible for the temporal aspects of the Church must understand the spiritual heart of its mission. My own career path highlights the necessity of this cross-training.

I’ve held roles that span diverse functions, including reorganizing a system of schools, implementing an archdiocesan-wide IT system, directing a synod, and shaping policies on Catholic identity. Yet, I’ve also given hundreds of presentations on family life, led retreats, and engaged in service work, such as meeting with people experiencing homelessness late at night using only a flashlight.

At first glance, it might appear I possess some rare ecclesial superpower. But I assure you, that is not the case.

This knowledge and skill set emerged over decades—with numerous growing pains. Here’s how I did it, and what it taught me about integrating spiritual and temporal roles.

My Journey of Growth and Cross-Training

Before entering full-time ministry, I served as a police officer. That role taught me to be brave, make quick decisions even with imperfect information, and stand firm when necessary. But it also made me stubborn, a characteristic that would pose challenges when working in a collaborative Church environment.

Later, I founded a small advisory firm, guiding clients to invest their resources with a pro-life perspective. This experience gave me financial insight, but it didn’t prepare me to handle complex organizational budgets or policies.

Then, my wife and I began volunteering in marriage prep and natural family planning, and I realized how much I still had to learn about confidently sharing our faith. When I joined the Family Life Office at the Archdiocese of Washington, I was thrown into the deep end. Speaking about the faith with authority required study, prayer, and humility. I devoured books, tapes, and Church teachings. But when it came to finance and budgeting? I was left to figure things out on my own.

A Sudden Shift

Three years into the role, our office faced sweeping changes due to financial challenges. New protocols were introduced, demanding clear goals, action plans, and measurable results. I resisted these changes, dismissing the input from "business-minded" colleagues who didn’t seem to understand ministry.

It wasn’t until I participated in an exercise where I was required to clearly articulate my ministry’s goals, actions, and metrics of success that I realized my own limitations. I had so much to learn—not just about finances but about my own ministry.

Why Integrated Work Matters

Separating the spiritual and temporal dimensions of the Church is a mistake. Think of it like running a family. You can’t separate raising children from managing the household budget; they influence each other too much.

Similarly, in the Church, the spiritual (proclaiming the Gospel, administering sacraments, serving the poor) and temporal (accounting, budgeting, HR, facilities management) dimensions are deeply intertwined. Neither can function effectively without the other.

The Two Dimensions of the Church

1. Spiritual Dimension

   1. Includes the proclamation of the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, and caring for the poor.

   2. Depends on the temporal dimension to function in an excellent way.

2. Temporal Dimension

   1. Encompasses finances, human resources, real estate, technology, operations, etc.

   2. Provides the structure and resources needed to fulfill the spiritual mission.

Both dimensions are essential. Just as the Church can’t serve without electricity and a roof, it also can’t fulfill its mission without faith, prayer, and teaching.

Strengthening Collaboration

When spiritual and temporal teams work together, it benefits everyone. Here’s how integrated work improves the Church’s mission:

• Enhanced Perspective

• Executives develop a mature understanding of the Church.

• Spiritual leaders grow in appreciation of operational needs, while temporal leaders gain insight into ministry dynamics.

• Better Decision-Making

• Advisors and executives provide more holistic, informed guidance to bishops and pastors.

• Recommendations become rooted not only in logic but in faith and mission-driven principles.

• Improved Trust and Relationships

• Collaboration breaks down barriers and fosters mutual respect, paving the way for smoother operational and spiritual synergy.

Practical Steps to Build Unity

1. Pray for Each Other

Begin by holding pastoral center leaders in prayer daily. Lift them up to the Lord, asking for their strength, clarity, and guidance in carrying out their ministry.

2. Connect With Key Leaders

Schedule low-key, respectful meetings with spiritual leaders to learn more about their work. Avoid appearing intimidating—cufflinks will likely send the wrong signal if they clash with the humble environment of ministry staff.

3. Volunteer in Ministries

The best way to understand ministry is by participating in it. Volunteer to assist during events like retreats, conferences, or workshops. Help set up tables, distribute materials, or assist with logistics. There’s no better way to learn than by observing and serving.

4. Join Ministries in Your Parish

Participate in spiritual activities like Bible studies, prayer groups, or service projects. These experiences will deepen your understanding of ministry while enriching your own faith.

5. Build Trust Through Contextual Knowledge

When reviewing budgets, having hands-on ministry experience provides valuable context. For example, if a ministry leader requests additional staffing for event setup, you’ll have a clear picture of what that entails and why it matters.

6. Foster Collaboration

Encourage open dialogue and joint problem-solving between spiritual and temporal teams. Create opportunities for shared training, team-building, and collaboration so that both groups feel valued and supported.

What You Can Do Today

Uniting the spiritual and temporal dimensions of the Church isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s critical for its health and mission. By fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and understanding, we create a stronger, more effective Church that better serves God and His people.

Take the first step today. Whether it’s reaching out to a ministry leader, volunteering at a diocesan event, or simply spending time in prayer, every action counts.

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