CFC-FFL has a pyramidal
pastoral structure. Aside from being able to care for a
large number of members without overly burdening leaders,
this structure provides for particular functions at different
levels. In other words, the structure is not just for the
purpose of dividing the large membership into more manageable
cell groups, but more importantly it is attuned to the needs
of members as they grow in Christ and to the needs of the
larger community for the furtherance of its mission.1
Following is a basic description
of the pastoral roles of servant leaders at each of the
levels.
Household Servant
He is an older brother to the brethren under him. He has
been with the community for at least a year, being in a
household during that time. He has grown spiritually. He
has some facilitation skills. He is willing to serve.
He is not expected to answer
all questions or resolve all problems. He can give advice
or inputs based on his own experience. Anything beyond him
he passes on to the Unit Servant.
Unit Servant
He is the “father” to the unit, that is, his
own unit household and all the households under his Household
Servants. He has been a Household Servant for at least one
year. He has grown further spiritually. He has greater maturity.
He is a low-level formator.
He teaches. He concerns himself with the spiritual growth
of unit members. He oversees (but not directs) the life
of his Household Servants and through them, the lives of
the other unit members. He deliberately looks to their growth
in spirituality and in faithfulness to our covenant.
Chapter Servant
He is the “grandfather” of the chapter. He has
been a Unit Servant for at least a year. His spiritual life
is in fairly good order. He has grown in wisdom and commitment.
He is the overall formator
of the chapter members,2 though he does this
basically through his Unit Servants and his intervention
is more on an as-needed basis. He concerns himself more
with the overall life and service of the chapter. He is
an administrator as well as a pastor. He coordinates, directs
and oversees chapter activities, including services. He
looks to the overall well-being of chapter members as well
as the chapter as a whole, and intervenes directly with
individuals whenever necessary. He guides the chapter’s
parish involvement.
Cluster Servant
He is a senior. His basic role is to help provide pastoral
care to Chapter Servants through the cluster household that
he leads.3 In addition, he concerns himself with
the pastoral development of the chapters in his cluster
by giving inputs to Chapter Servants as needed. However,
he does not lead nor take over the chapters.4
He looks to the cluster’s involvement in the vicariate
(deanery).
District Servant
He is the overall pastor and governor of the district. He
is the extension of the Servant General for the pastoral
care of community members and the furtherance of our mission.
His work is overseen through seniors with delegated authority
from the Servant General.
He is responsible for the
overall formation of the district members, though he does
this basically through his Chapter Servants and his intervention
is more on an as-needed basis. He concerns himself more
with the overall life and service of the district. He is
an administrator as well as a pastor. He coordinates, directs
and oversees district activities, including services. He
looks to the overall well-being of district members as well
as the district as a whole, and intervenes directly with
individuals whenever necessary. He guides the district’s
involvement in the diocese.
Pastoral notes
The above are general guidelines that define and distinguish
some of the basic functions of servant leaders at the different
pastoral levels. It is not a comprehensive listing of how
they pastor and serve the brethren. Other important aspects
as evangelization, faithfulness to covenant and core values
and culture, financial monitoring, Church relationship,
etc., have not been touched on.
Though all servant leaders
are important, the basic importance of particular leaders
is stressed, as follows: