There are many leadership styles. Depending on which best-seller textbook you might read, the top 10 styles range from the democratic to the autocratic, from inspirational to results-oriented, etc. Then, leaders nuance their preferred style depending on the situation at hand, but their own basic style pervades their modus operandi.

When a priest is thrown into an unconventional situation where textbook styles need to be set aside, an unconventional style emerges. This is where I find myself.

Last year, a colleague and I were asked to assume leadership of five parishes, and two parishes were added to the roster this year. “How are you going to do this?” has been asked of us several times. I’m thinking, “Is there even a textbook style for this?”

We are discovering and foraging a new leadership style for this unconventional situation, which is being labeled “improvisational leadership.” It follows the same theory as improv comedy. Improvisational comedy has no script. The art of improv is, obviously, “improvising.”

Though there is no script, there are principles to guide the improvisers:

• Say “Yes, and!”

• After the “and,” add new information.

• Don’t block any information coming at you; take it all in.

• Focus on the here and now.

• Establish the location (also known as read the audience).

• Be specific — provide details.

• Change, change and change again.

While these principles seem vague and open-ended, that is because they are, and that is the reality when all is unscripted and there are too many unknowns.

The first principle of improv was fulfilled when we said “yes” to the five and agreed to the “and,” which is the additional two parishes. From there, we just keep moving by adding new information (material) about each parish.

Usually, in improv, there is a topic presented to keep some parameters/focus on the journey into the unknown. In this case, with the seven parishes, it is to bring them to “one” parish. Therefore, abiding by the principle not to “block information” at this point — we don’t know what is important and what is not — we just keep adding information, writing the script as we go while keeping the focus on the “here” and “now.” What is known “now” is that the endeavor needs to be completed by Nov. 30.

Improv comedy is fast-moving, sometimes so fast that the audience (the congregation) can barely keep up with what is unfolding. Those on stage can barely keep up, too! Responding quickly does not mean not responding prudently. There is much back and forth, feeding off the other. The responses keep the back-and-forth inching forward to a hope-filled goal. Don’t stop the momentum, keep it rolling forward is paramount in improv, even if you are not sure where you are at a specific moment, at least you know you are ultimately reaching the intended goal. Don’t stop the momentum. While every move might not be the best, the end is slowly unfolding.

“Know your audience” is difficult due to the varied peoples and change of leaders, too. We wonder and worry about how people are feeling and how they are doing with the uncertainty of how all this is going to end up. The many changes, beginning with an immediate new Mass schedule, are the first of many to come. Keeping information succinct and in sound bytes — “One Mass per parish” — is not complicated. Not necessarily liked, but clear.

While the analogy of improv comedy is used, it is not to make light or fun of what is happening to our little corner of the Catholic Church in East Baltimore. Among the seven churches there is over 700 years of parish ministry and countless students in the once seven (now two) schools.

While we know thousands of churches were founded and became extinct in the last 2,024 years, this is our time, our Church, our sadness. All just try to make the best of it. Comedy and tragedy have always gone together. If you don’t laugh, you cry. So maybe a little improv comedy is needed.

FATHER PATRICK CARRION is pastor of five parishes in East Baltimore, Maryland, and director of the Office of Cemetery Management for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.