Core competencies for clergy in North America
- Articulating and carrying out the practice vision
- Helping the sangha toward shared understanding of its identity as a practice community
- Leading services and liturgy
- Preparing and delivering dharma talks
- Teaching both adults and children
- Visiting with the sick, bereaved, and dying
- Doing outside speaking engagements
- Managing temple administration
- Conflict resolution and building harmony in the sangha
- Creating pathways for new practitioners
- Counseling people practicing in the midst of personal difficulties
- Representing the sangha in interfaith activities
- Engaging in continuing professional and spiritual development
- Conducting ceremonies: jukai, homeleaving, weddings, memorials, funerals
- Taking leadership in fundraising and development
- Participating in Sotoshu activities
- Fostering fellowship within the sangha
- Leading in sangha planning and goal setting, and participating in implementation
- Recruiting and training sangha leaders
- Promoting enthusiasm for sangha activities
