A better word?

I don't know about you, but I've needed time to recover from General Conference and I was not even there! Watching the live stream throughout the event was enough to wear me out. I can understand why it takes as much as 10-12 hours of sleep a day for at least a week to recover. Really, why doesn't General Conference have true Sabbath time? Do they really want people to be crabby when they are earnestly trying to practice holy conferencing?
My father-in-law was one of the delegates from my Annual Conference to General Conference. At a meeting last week he handed us all a packet of goodies-- a FEW of the MANY things discussed over the 10 days. Of course I wanted to know what was decided upon in regards to things like the ordination process. Dan lobbed up a juicy one to me-- the General Conference changed the word for someone commissioned, not fully ordained from "probationary," (like you're in jail) to "provisional," (clearly defined as you're temporary, don't get too comfortable). At first I was just glad to see "probationary" gone-- I hoped to never be on probation in my life or in my work-- so why did the Church decide to use that to describe folks who are in transition and learning? Provisional, while a shiny-happy term, is what in retail the seasonal hires were referred to-- don't expect to see them past New Years kind of deal.
So while I am thankful for the kinder, gentler term, I'm not sure it effectively responded to a major need to re-think and re-imagine our language, process and the like. What do you think?

Completion of Lewis Fellows

I've been off-line for a bit due to two things: I was a part of a leadership team for a retreat for Middle Schoolers from all over the Annual Conference called, "Spirit Quest," and then I went coast-to-coast for my final time in Baltimore with the Lewis Fellows Program.

One of the highlights was heading to DC to spend time at Wesley Seminary (two colleagues, Bryant and Nathan are seated in the picture at Lovett Weems desk...so a messy desk is a sign of good leadership!), a quick time at the National Cathedral and then up to Baltimore with a group of guys to see an Orioles game.

A sign of a good program is one that leaves you wanting more...that certainly was the case! The Lewis Fellows Program got me reading, thinking and talking about leadership in ways I had not yet engaged. It gave me some good practical wisdom, some confidence and hope. All things I think a program aimed at young clergy would want to do!

One thing I'd recommend to pastors regardless of age or denomination is the new tool the Lewis Center is developing to help pastors assess their leadership called the LPLI. You can learn more about it here.

Like many United Methodists, I'm focused on General Conference and holding our delegation, led by Molly in prayer. It's early on, and so seems like folks are getting along...but once the 7 AM to 11 PM schedule starts wearing on the delegates a bit....that's when prayer will be that much more important.

Continuing the Conversation...

So, I think talking about the idea of guaranteed appointments has struck a nerve. There has been some interesting comments about it left below. Andy B. also wrote about it and a couple of other issues. What I'm aware of is that there are symptoms of underlying problems-- mostly related in our case to leadership and discerning God's will. There is language in the Discipline to deal with ineffective clergy. There is an over-arching desire by most in the church to work to make sure appointments are good matches for clergy and laity alike (we all want what's going to allow us to make disciples for the transformation of the world). And yet, it is appointment season, and cabinets are working with folks they don't know what to do with-- and will place them with Jesus-loving folks who want leadership to help them grow.
And this does not even address the justice issues raised....
Do we have the leadership to do the tough work and figure this out?

Guaranteed Appointments....good or bad?

Thanks to David for the link to this article.
It talks about some of the issues in the UMC around the guaranteed appointment. Since we're under the appointment of our Bishop, once we get ordained, we have what amounts to lifetime tenure. There will always be a job for us, no matter how competent or incompetent we are.
Reading the article, it is clear that this system was originally set up back in the 1950s to help clergywomen get jobs. (There were plenty who would not accept a woman in their pulpit...imagine how they'd feel about a pregnant woman in their pulpit!) I love that the General Conference was able to find a way to make this a justice and equality issue, a way to back up their decision to ordain women.
It is pretty clear today, though, that the guaranteed appointment might be more of a stumbling block to us than a help. Sure, it is still important to help some in our connection-- specifically persons of color and some women-- but for others it almost endorses the notion it does not matter whether one works to grow in competency, faith and leadership--the Church has to provide me with a job.
Of course, I have to quip that considering how little the Church pays and how much they expect, guaranteeing us employment is sort of a perk. What do you think about guaranteed appointments? Do they help us or hurt us?

Funny Thing Heard in Church Yesterday....

As I was shaking hands with folks following the 9 AM service, a wonderful couple from my church introduced me to the guests that were with them from a friend's church. The guy said, "We wanted to come and see what a pregnant pastor looked like." I laughed and encouraged them to share what they've witnessed, much like the 2 Marys did on Easter morning. People are funny.

Guess I should get a banner made for the front of the church stating, "Now Showing."

New book and link to check out!

I've been waiting a long time, as others I know have, for the new book by Lovett Weems and Ann Michel on the crisis of young clergy in the UMC. Thanks to Andrew, I've got a link to an interesting interview with Lovett about the new book. I've been fortunate over the last few years to be in conversation with Lovett and Ann about this issue...one that I have a lot of interest and passion for. It is a crisis that is indicative of greater issues in my denomination. (Though mine is not only one facing the crisis!) Check it out!

Special Jesus Suit for Easter?

Last night as we prepared for our Maundy Thursday service, I got into an interesting conversation with the wife of the lead musician. She's great-- always has great questions and wants to know more about the mainline church... having grown up in an evangelical church in the South. Her latest job has been working to create costumes for the musical, Wicked. And so, she's gotten a good taste of working in the "industry" as we call it here in Southern California.... that also means she's been exposed to a variety of interesting folks!

So she tells me that one of her co-workers just completed a project her priest asked her to do for Easter-- create "clothes" for Jesus on the cross. Her priest wanted Jesus to have on his "Sunday best" for Super Bowl of All Sundays! I inquired a bit as to exactly what this "Jesus Suit" might look like-- a white suit with a pink tie? I was genuinely interested in understanding what this was all about... apparently, the "Jesus suit" is more of a toga/smock than real clothing. The priest asked that it have all the liturgical colors in it-- which of course prompted a quick wit joke about Jesus and Joseph and their technicolor dream coats... the thing that got me was that this was all for real!

So, on this solemn day, I wonder aloud... what would Jesus wear to Easter Sunday in your church, should you have the option to play dress-up? I just bet someone will say a bunny suit!

Blessings to all during this important, holy time!