What an interesting morning. In a blink of an eye, we had just voted to approve the consent calendar. Now I have to admit, I had not really even had my full first cup of coffee, so I wasn't quite with it. And as a reserve delegate, I am much more up on the twitter feeds, than what came out of the 13 legislative committees on consent calendars and what will come to the floor of conference. So out of the blue, I heard my bleacher-mates gasp. I thought I may have spilt some coffee on them, and then I heard one say, "no more guaranteed appointments".
Wow. Just like that. If we were a betting bunch of people and meeting in Las Vegas, I would have put my money down on this petition coming to the floor of the General Conference. Finally, someone lifted it off the consent calendar and it was put to the voting delegation. And again, it was overwhelmingly defeated.
A new reality, or so to speak. One woman exclaimed in the favor of no guarantees, "this is the real world, where we are evaluated on our performance, and if we don't make it, we are fired!" I understand the frustration some churches and clergy and lay folks have in regards to ineffective ministers. But I am also wondering if this same rule should apply to congregations. Can there be such a thing as an "ineffective church" and therefore, they would not be guaranteed a pastor? I know of some churches out there, that if Jesus were appointed to them, they would find something horribly wrong with their pastor, or even he couldn't get them to love their neighbor. "He's too liberal", "He's never in the office", "He hangs out with the wrong crowd"... "He never fills out the forms or turns in his end of the year reports".
The other amazing debate we had was an example of how ludicrous our polarizing opinions have become. There was an amendment to a petition that wanted to add to the preamble of our Social Principles these non-exact words from Romans 8, "therefore, nothing shall seperate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus". The idea was to stress that our theological differences, our different make-up in the body of Christ, our tension over the same debates conference after conference-- none of that can seperate us from the love of God. There is nothing that can seperate us from grace, because it is a gift. Our worst assumptions, our practices, our beliefs-- whether "right" or "wrong", cannot seperate us from God or in actuality, from each other.
We were voting on whether we as United Methodists believed that "nothing could seperate us from the love of God". How would you answer it? Vote 1 for "yes" or Vote 2 for "no."
In the end, 56% of those voting on behalf of all of us United Methodists believed that nothing seperates us from love. Wow. A direct quote from the Bible and only 56% believe it to be true. Amazing.
Nothing - absolutely nothing - can separate us from the love of God. PERIOD!
ReplyDeleteStuart
Why are so many elders worried about 'losing their jobs?' Who is guaranteed a job in any profession? Haven't Local Pastors always lived under this rule? And granted there are as many ineffective LP as elders. I fully support the vote. If an elder or LP for that matter, is under the appointment of God and His Holy Spirit in the world, why all the fuss. Just saying.
DeleteI can't answer for other elders, but it breaks my heart when I hear people say, "Other people 'out in the real world' are not guaranteed jobs." It breaks my heart because the church is supposed to function differently than the world. The church should be setting standards (in all aspects of living, not just this issue) for the world, not turning to the world to guide our standards. What will this do for some elders' ability and willingness to preach a prophetic message? I believe this is the institution's way of saying we want reassurance rather than challenge.Look at history, the prophetic voice is frequently greeted by opposition. Young preachers who are depending on the church for their income to pay back the astronomical debt they had to acquire to satisfy the church's educational requirements will be less likely to stand up and offer a prophetic word. True, the Holy Spirit is present in the preaching moment, but the church has simply added another hurdle for the prophetic preaching of the Word of God.
DeleteThe problem is not with prophetic preachers, a prophetic Word or ethnic appointments. The key term is ineffective. As a pastor of 30 years, when visiting the office of other clergy always look to see what they are reading. Too many haven't opened a book since they graduated. Some preachers simply do not know how to relate to other people. This cuts both ways, either by shyness or avoidance or by over bearing opinions. Others are struggling with emotional or even addictive behaviors. Most clergy are hard working, giving of themselves that Christ might be known. But there are those, as well as churches, who just don't get it. At the same time, there are churches which become revolving doors of clerical leadership, what is wrong with this picture, the clergy, or the church?
DeleteThe answer is both. But all parties must be willing to recognize their pooints of failure and seek out Godly ways to be held accountable. For the 56% of United Methodist who believe Scripture to be true here is a word: John 17:15-18 "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." The church is commanded to be the truth in the world-- not doing as the world would have people do.
DeleteThis decision is not about ineffectiveness. This decision says, an elder can be appointed to a less than full time appt.--no health or pension. Ineffective pastors can only be deemed ineffective through a series of steps. Women, other minority groups, clergy couples, and some other very effective pastors will most definitely feel the pains of this decision.
DeleteThanks Shelly.
DeleteThanks for your words. I'm with you. Could it be the 'love of God' thing that's really the crux of all of this? We seem to be having problems with that.
ReplyDeleteDanny
Just for the record, this elder is not worried. I am concerned however that this may effect clergy women and ethnic minority clergy in a negative way. One of the safe guards from episcopal power that "could" happen in appointment making are the words to someone of color let's say,"there are no places who will receive you as their pastor". Simply because of one's race or simply because they are a woman or clergy couple. My bishop I trust, but it is a risk to have no guarantees of a place to serve. It is also a risk to guarantee jobs to ineffective ministers. Trust. Grace. Wisdom.
ReplyDeleteShelly, the last lines in your posting are the real news here. How sad that 44% of our delegates can't get on board with that simple fact.
ReplyDeleteSo much I could say and therefor should not. Shelly, thanks for being there for us; all of us. I find myself wondering this real question... would Wesley have been an ineffective preacher / clergy for the C of E?
ReplyDeleteThank you again for your honesty and insight.
ReplyDeleteIf a preacher is ineffective, deal with the one pastor. Elders have spent a lot of time and money to earn that title! What about our Bishops, who determines if they are effective. Our membership declines... we blame the preacher... why not blame it on the Bishop? He/She is "the boss" after all. just fee like the conference is a good old boy society at times. If you didn't go to Duke you get the less desireable churches. Is there a district Super who didn't go to Duke? Maybe by not many (in Western NC conference) My hubby graduated from Vanderbilt but always felt the sting from not being a Duke grad.
ReplyDeleteShelly, thanks for the update on the vote. No more guaranteed appointments. For the first time I can remember, appointments are going to be different. I share with you a concern that it may be hard for some people to get an appointment, but I do trust that God is still in charge of making sure the church will have the pulpits filled by the best person for them. God works with the appointment system and in spite of it if necessary. I do believe the Lord is in control and will look after the details that we may fear for future appointments. I do know the one in whom I have placed my trust, and that is in Jesus Christ. Rev. Evelyn Lemons, Deerfield UMC
ReplyDeletewow...even THESE descriptions from 2012 are so interesting to read! you are quite a writer~~ add that to the mighty list of your gifts
ReplyDeleteThe 56% belief in the quote from Romans 8 reminds me that the last two churches we attended were offering Sunday School classes studying books by members of the Jesus Seminar, whose adherents accept only 16% of what Jesus said in the Gospels as true and even a smaller percentage of his recorded miracles. No wonder the church is in trouble. Great blogs, Shelly.
ReplyDeleteThe 56% belief in the quote from Romans 8 reminds me that the last two churches we attended were offering Sunday School classes studying books by members of the Jesus Seminar, whose adherents accept only 16% of what Jesus said in the Gospels as true and even a smaller percentage of his recorded miracles. No wonder the church is in trouble. Great blogs, Shelly.
ReplyDelete