D.S. as Chief Missional Strategist - and Breaking the Rules... Revisited

Our episcopal area – the Memphis and Tennessee Conferences – has recently embraced a study of Gil Rendle’s Back to Zero: The Search to Rediscover the Methodist Movement, and it has become the main work of our church’s charge conferences this year. As a district superintendent, I have had a love/hate relationship with this book. It states so clearly what we need to do to regain our mission, but challenges so many things we have grown into, become comfortable with, and accustomed to in our lives and churches.

Of all the sentences in Gil’s book, the two most trying and challenging to this me was this one:

Our denominational life has become more regulatory than missional. We have become a rule-following people.

And there is no denying this fact. The United Methodist Church mirrors our world governments at their worst. We regulate. We have policies and standard operating guidelines. We create watchdog groups to be sure others are “acting right.” We caucus ourselves to get more people on our “side.” And when we end up at General Conference, each side tries to present their rules to be enacted so that they will be followed. Having presented my own petition to the last General Conference (Petition 20769, and getting it approved and enacted with 889 votes for, 20 votes against), I have been part of the fray. Granted, it was not a controversial measure, but still just a “rule.”

And in the midst of all of this we somehow forgot our primary mission: to make disciples. Not to forward social causes, not to triumph or champion our “side” as the right one – but to make disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Discipleship is what Jesus commissions us to do. Anything else is at best secondary to that, and if we believe we are something else first, then we are no longer a church.

Unless we want the Book of Discipline to continue to become larger and the UMC to continue to become smaller, we have to break the cycle – not just because we’re dying, not just because pastors won’t have a pension, but because we’re not making disciples for the transformation of the world – our mission! If we rely on the General Conference to make these bold changes, we will fail. We have to become bold ourselves, and transform into individuals who embrace and enable change.

So this D.S. is willing to break a few rules, not for the sake of going rogue, but for the sake of being faithful to the Kingdom. I don’t want to meet my Maker one day and be asked why I chose to be a Pharisee instead of bold leader and disciple-maker. There has to be a better way.

What are essentials for district superintendents in this season? Permit me to offer these.

1. Hold individual charge conferences. Yes – I used to think CC’s were a waste of time, and the way they were often previously done they usually were. Reports can be filed and read by anyone who’d like to read them. But what if churches were challenged about what programs and ministries they are currently investing in and seeing how effective they are in making disciples? What if conferencing and conversation took place about self-reflection and self-awareness about what needs to change? What if we shared God stories about how lives were being transformed and how we as individuals can change the way we live out our faith so others hear the good news and not only become disciples, but disciple-makers?

For a D.S. to truly be a chief missional strategist, s/he must be involved at the congregational level. Having cluster or area charge conferences is a poor substitute for making relationships and leading clergy and laity in substantive change. Approve the pastoral and staff salaries, approve the church leadership for the next year, and file the rest.  Spend the bulk of the charge conference in dialogue, assessment, celebration, repentance, and prayer. It might not be 100% kosher with the Discipline, but it gets at the heart of what we should be doing in conferencing as a means of grace. And while D.S.’s certainly can’t and shouldn’t micromanage every church’s mission in context, they can certainly challenge congregations to ask the right questions, challenge themselves, and become less insular and more neighborhood minded.

If someone doesn’t like it, I guess they can file charges on me. I’m willing to break these minor rules for the sake of enabling mission, instead of preventing it.

2. Be Willing to Risk Being a Pastor Instead of a Supervisor. It is a very tough line to walk, to be both a steward of order and church law and to be a shepherd to pastors and congregations under their charge. Unfortunately, we have created a climate where distrust is fostered and pastors are understandably reticent to confide and trust their D.S. It is a messy and uncomfortable place of tension. Having said that, D.S.’s have to know when to be a D.S. and when to be a pastor, and be able to live with and discern when to be which. That’s not quite kosher to the Discipline either. But I remain convinced that our mission far outweighs our need to be just personnel managers.

Having a sphere of distrust is antithetical to Kingdom work. It’s doesn’t mean we don’t hold accountability for our leaders – we do. But we cannot continue to operate out of fear or distrust in a Kingdom that is build upon agape and grace. Moreover, if we are asking people to make one-on-one relationships with others to foster discipleship and evangelism, we clergy are going to have to model transparency and vulnerability.

3. Trust Your Bishop (and Bishops, Be Trustworthy). You cannot ask pastors and congregations to trust you as their leader if you don’t trust your leader. Resist the temptation to tell a congregation, “The bishop is saying this – I’m just the messenger,” or “Our bishop believes this is the faithful way to go. He’s my boss so we’re doing it.” Those are dishonest ways of voicing to others that you disagree but are just doing your job. A D.S. is an extension of the bishop’s office – you are his/her voice. If you have disagreements with your bishop, tell him/her yourself. If we disagree, some conversation in is order so we can discern the work of the Spirit correctly. In the cabinet I serve in, we have found that transparency with each other leads us to leave the room with shared vision and focus.

4. Be Willing to Get in Your Car and Drive. I bought a used ‘03 Toyota Avalon in 2011. It was used but well-maintained, large enough to be comfortable for long drives and driving other passengers but economical enough to be a good steward. It’s also designed for high mileage (I’m currently at 230k miles). There is no substitute for being physically present with congregations and committees to engender trust and sincerity, and no other way to lead clergy and laity into shared mission and ministry. It does wear on the soul… but I take some comfort in reading Bishop Asbury’s journals – it sure beats horseback! When the weather is nice I ride my motorcycle or open the windows. It is a wonderful way to enjoy God’s creation.

5. Know your Strengths and be Self-Aware. Bishop McAlilly had all of us cabinet members take the Gallup/Tom Rath StrengthsFinder assessment. I also had taken the Myers-Briggs personality assessment several years previous when in spiritual direction. While no one is solely “their assessment”, these are good tools to know about one’s self in how you follow, lead, and where your gifts and challenges lie.  My strengths lie in Achieving, Relating, Strategy,  Learning, and Arranging. My Myers-Briggs type is INFJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Judging). That means I’m good at being intuitive and have a “feel” for things, and like to work independently and with details. But it also means I have to guard against expecting perfection in others, that I keep in mind the whole picture, and that I seek to be collaborative rather than a lone ranger in my work ethic. If I don’t keep these things in mind, I won’t lead as effectively.

Being a D.S. has never been easy. But in this season, as the UMC lives into a changed reality, it is more crucial than ever that we take thou authority to make sure we are equipping clergy, laity, and local churches to make disciples. That is our mission – and nothing else is sacred but the mission; that is, everything must be on the table for change, revision, renewal, and transformation, so that we might make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Pax,

Sky+

Clergy Expectations

When I first came on the district in March of 2011, it seemed reasonable to tell our pastors  what my expectations were as a District Superintendent. I’m reposting them as a reminder, but to them I would add two more things:

1. You can expect me to have your back. Until you give me reason not to, I trust you and have no need to micromanage the execution of your ministry.

2. I expect you to be a good steward of how you use Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking media. Just because you can say or post something doesn’t mean you always should. Remember that (a) it never goes away, and (b) the public doesn’t differentiate between what you say in a ministerial context and what you say on your own time.

I’m committed to helping each church and pastor in the Paducah District realize their opportunities and potentials for ministry. May we continue to be faithful to the One whom we serve, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pax,

Sky+

  

EXPECTATIONS OF CLERGY – PADUCAH DISTRICT

MEMPHIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Sky McCracken, District Superintendent

You will want to know what is expected of a pastor in the Paducah District. I pray that these expectations help challenge you and your ministry:

1.      SPIRITUAL LIFE. Be a person of prayer and devotion. Maintaining your spiritual commitments is first priority for you and for a great ministry. You cannot grow congregations spiritually if you are not growing spiritually yourself. You are the spiritual guide for the church/parish you serve.

2.      THE GREAT COMMISSION IS YOUR MISSION STATEMENT. Develop a personal evangelism plan for yourself and train others to develop an evangelistic church. The United Methodist Church is a sacramental church AND an evangelical church. Spiritual growth is important. Numerical growth is not antithetical to this.

3.      STEWARDSHIP. The sharing of your tithe, time and talents are as important as those of the laity. I expect each pastor to tithe to the church s/he pastors, or to develop a plan that reaches that goal. You are mistaken if you think your church doesn’t know your giving habits, and you cannot challenge your church to sacrificial giving if you do not practice it yourself.

4.      PREACHING. Give time to preparation for biblical and contemporary preaching, being a pastor of the Word.

5.      PASTORAL CARE AND VISITATION. Our pastors are expected to give time to the care and visitation of the congregation, both regular attenders and new people. Visitation should include new families, hospital calls, crisis calls, home visitation, etc.

6.      WORSHIP. Give proper attention to worship planning, to provide a warm, meaningful, creative worship service for your congregation. This is a shared responsibility with the laity – liturgy is “the work of the people,” not just the pastor.

7.      FAITHFUL TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. You are a United Methodist pastor and are expected to fully support its doctrine and standards, to follow Book of Discipline  procedures, and to support the paying of church apportionments, per Book of Discipline (¶622) and the Financial Standards per 2005 Journal of the Memphis Annual Conference.

8.      APPEARANCE. Our appearance both in and out of the pulpit is important. Cleanliness and proper dress are expected as you model Christian ministry.

9.      CLERGY IN COVENANT. You are a clergy member in good standing in this district. As such, you are expected to:

         A. Attend district clergy meetings, as scheduled.

         B. Submit reports as requested, and on time.

         C. Have a positive attitude towards the local, conference, and general church. Support the functions not generally spelled out in this letter.

         D.  Meet with the District Lay Resource Leader in your church at least once a year. S/he is a conference staff person assigned to assess the needs of the local church and to consult with the pastor and church leaders (2008 Journal ). An office is being established at the district office for this position.

     E.  Be an encouragement by example and attitude to others in the ministerial family.

     F.  Support district programs and promotions.

10. BE A STUDENT. Develop a reading and study program and build disciplines of study. It is only by study and prayer that we can live more faithfully and serve more responsibly in the world. To quote Madeleine L’Engle, “We name ourselves by the choices we make.”

11. BE A TIME MANAGER. Study and implement principles of time and self-management that will enhance your ministry and life. Don’t be late. To quote Mr. Wesley: “Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time.”

12. FINANCES. Care for your personal finances in such a way that will not bring embarrassment to you or the church, and keep your personal obligations current. While you are not the chair of finance at your local church, you do have the responsibility to see that local finances are properly monitored and procedures followed. You are to give motivation and guidance to see that all budgets and apportionments are paid in full.

13. LEADERSHIP. You, as pastor, are expected to give spiritual and missional leadership to the church. You must be able to articulate a vision and give leadership to motivate your congregation to fulfill its mission. There must be planning, directing and implementation which results from your leadership. Learn the art of good delegation.

14. TRAIN THE LAITY. It will be your responsibility to train laity for ministry and to incorporate their gifts in the life of the church. Study the area of spiritual gifts. Building relationships by transparency and vulnerability takes risk, but are essential in establishing trust and leadership. We are servants and the laity are our partners on ministry.

15. GOAL SETTING. Lead your church in setting and reaching goals for church growth. Set realistic goals. Doing one thing well is preferable to doing many things poorly. This is where our district lay resource person can be very helpful to you and your church.

16. FAMILY TIME. You are expected to give time and care to your family responsibilities. Your mate and family are important to us and we want them to have quality time with you.

17. LEISURE/SABBATH. Reserve time during the week for yourself/family/leisure, free from church responsibilities (except emergencies). “Six days shall you enjoy the blessings of work;
on the seventh day, shall you understand that being is as important as doing.” (from the book How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household )

My prayer is that you will have a meaningful ministry as you come to your new assignment. I want you to know I have concern for your ministry, your family and your religious vocation. If I can be of help at any time, please let me know.

Originally Drafted March 2011, Paducah District

Parts adapted from Carlton D. Hansen’s “Expectations for Excellence in Ministry”

Treat the Cancer, Not the Mole

I've been a skin-cancer sufferer for about 10 years - the technical name is basal-cell carcinoma - a result of genetics, being fair-complexioned, hauling hay in the summers, and playing a lot of golf, tennis, and baseball without sunscreen. The damage is done, and I've numerous places shaved off, frozen off, and excised out so much that I get frequent-patient discounts from my dermatologist. 

Because of this I've become an expert in knowing when a "spot" needs to be looked at. And while that sounds a bit ominous, I am thankful; it is at best a "nuisance" cancer. Rarely do folks die of basal-cell carcinoma. However, it's close cousin melanoma is a much different situation. It's dangerous and those cancer cells multiply rapidly. If not detected and dealt with quickly, it spreads to the lymphatic system. You can't just remove the top layer and call it quits; you've got to go deeper, check the margins. Sometimes, it takes chemo and radiation. You have to get at the roots of the cancer to eradicate it.

I recently read Bishop Willimon's article, "The Tough Truth About our Small Churches." Will is an acquaintance of mine, and I find that he is often right about a great many things (just ask him!). He certainly brings great insight and depth to many issues. However, on this piece - I think he's wrong. Having recently closed two churches, I can see how small churches are running out of resources - human and monetary - and I think many of them face difficult decisions sooner rather than later. While, as he says, "Small churches are doggedly resilient," they are experiencing the same woes as medium-sized churches - they are graying and not replacing their ranks. With an increasingly smaller base, fewer and fewer have to do more and more - and atrophy and fatigue finally wears them down. One older person at the last church I met with (which is closing) said, "I'm tired. I can't do it anymore." A younger couple said that they would stay but there was nothing for their children. And one very devoted but wise middle-aged man said, "I hate it. But we can't do it anymore with these few. We simply don't have the numbers." As rugged and committed - even stubborn - as some small churches can be, there comes a time when critical mass simply isn't there. It can no longer be sustained.

I will agree with the bishop that small churches can be petty, demanding, and even mean. But "clergy killer" churches are not limited to small membership churches. Medium and large-membership churches can be clergy killers too. And to be honest, some pastors can be "church killers." None of these things are to blame, however - they are the symptom, the mole of the cancer. We've got to address the root cause: failure to make disciples. 

We've lacked for a catechism for a long time. We've not developed a culture of discipleship and mission. Doing those things has never been easy or quick; Jesus modeled a three-year catechism for the first Twelve that was full of drama, tumult, and frustration - however, when it was over, he commissioned them to go forth: "Go make disciples... baptize and teach." We know that many of them met martyrdom. All left a legacy; it's no coincidence that the most popular Christian name in India is "Thomas." But it takes, as Jorge Acevedo says about church revitalization, honesty and courage: honesty to name the current reality, and courage to do something about it. That's where we are: small church, medium-sized church, even large-sized church. Bill Hybels showed all of us, clearly, that even the large church has missed the mark on discipleship. 

I preach root causes so much that my colleagues are tired of me saying it. But I don't see how we avoid it - if we don't do discipleship, we not only miss the mark where mission is concerned, but soon die from a lack of generativity. Pettiness and unrealistic demands are symptoms of the problem, but not the root cause.

It takes "guts" to do this very difficult work. But aren't guts at the heart of the incarnation ("God

taking on flesh") and discipleship? Discipleship is the invitation to embrace the God who takes on flesh in Jesus and to get down and dirty with others. And here's where I'll agree with the bishop at the end: Wesleyanism is called by God for a considerably larger vision, and we Methodists have the method to do this - and the method worked. But we have to treat our problem as a cancer rather than just a mole - it's deep, and it's not confined to small membership churches.

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:16-20

Pax,
Sky+

Things for United Methodist Laity to Unlearn - From a Layperson's P.O.V.

Sky McCracken wrote a piece on the things the clergy needs to unlearn to help return the church to vitality.  In response it seems appropriate to make the same observations for the laity.

To all of my fellow laity: We have been highly critical of the clergy for a number of years now.  We have been very vocal about issues with those who serve our local congregations, many valid concerns, and some unrealistic demands.  Though the Church has been slow to respond to the frustration, in recent years there has been a move on the part of the leadership to look at education, pastoral care and the lack of vision that has disconnected the local church from the community.  The lack of discipleship in the local church is reaching critical mass, and the lack of leadership from the clergy is being discussed on every level.

That’s all great news, and important for a move to health and vitality.  It is just half of the picture.  It is time we do our own inventory and look at the things we need to unlearn.  This is my short list:

1.  While our church leaders, Pastor, church staff, are responsible to give vision, direction and guidance, they are not charged with keeping us happy.  We are equally called to service in the Body of Christ, not only to be served.  We are partner in ministry, not consumers.  The staff cannot fulfill their responsibilities in outreach to the community if they are forever holding our hands, listening to our laundry lists of complaints about temperature, sermon topic and new hymns we have never sung before.  It’s time we grow up, take responsibility for our own part of the Kingdom and go to work alongside our church leaders, as we are gifted and called to do.  We were ordained in our baptism after all, not to every role, but to a role.  

2.  The church building does not belong to us; it is an asset for ministry.  Our functions are important, and fellowship as believers is essential, but they are not the sole purpose of the building.  Inviting the community to see the building as a great meeting place will connect us with people who would never cross the threshold for a Bible study or a worship service.  Groups who find a home in one of our classrooms may find a home in our church family, particularly if we happen to be in the building when they come and extend hospitality.  We cannot lock the doors during the week in order to keep the building in outstanding condition and the expenses down and think this is a good decision for the life of our church.   It will work for as long as we are here to pay the bills, then one day one of us will be the last one to turn out the light. 

3.  Worship on Sunday is not entertainment, and we are not the audience.   Worship is a time for us to gather, hear God’s word, get filled up, and go in the power of the Spirit to change the world.   If you go home and nothing changes, in you or in your world, it’s time to stop and consider where you are disconnecting.    Where there is life, there is growth.  If all of your God stories are from years ago, it might be time to take your spiritual pulse. 

4.  There are a lot more of us (laity) than there are of them (clergy).  Why did we ever decide sharing the Gospel was only for the ‘professionals’?   Who has the greatest opportunity to share the love of God with the community?  We do!  What is the best way to share your faith with others?  Live it, all the time, in all of the places you go.  Be the love of God the world is hungry for, offer grace and mercy, be the disciple you would like others to become.   In football terminology, most plays work better if the team huddles up, hears the call and plays their position.  We like to huddle up, hear the call and go sit in the stand to see how it goes.  Let’s get on the field, people.

Real change, deep change, begins one person at a time.  We have to do the hard work of moving from consumer to partner, give up rights and pick up our responsibilities, desire that others develop deep relationships with Jesus Christ enough to surrender being the center of the church.  Growing up in grace means we are so secure in our identities as children of God and people of immeasurable worth that we can afford to sacrifice for the sake of others.  What will we get if we choose to be faithful?   I believe we will begin to see the God’s Kingdom come, and God’s will done.  That’s a legacy for our children and grandchildren that will be worth the discomfort change brings.  It’s time brothers and sisters; let’s be the change we are ready to see.

Susan Engle
Paducah District Lay Resource Leader
Memphis Conference

Things for United Methodist Preachers to Unlearn

Being a creature of habit, both Type "A" and a bit on the OCD side, I like routine, rhythm, and routine better than anyone. If something works, I leave it alone; if it's functional, I don't try to improve it or buy something new. Over the years I have seen pastors work this way, and pastoral work is hard: writing/designing sermons takes time, study, planning, and discernment; pastoral care often interrupts the busiest of schedules. When you find something that works, we tend to run with it. We keep sermon files so that when we move, we don't waste previous work done. We function on local church, district, and conference levels in ways that are comfortable for us. We gravitate toward like-minded colleagues and find comfort in such community. These things "work" for us.

But not really. It's not working.

For us to offer Christ to a hurting world, we have to transcend some of what "worked" for us in the past. It requires a lot of introspection and self-awareness. It requires some confession and repentance. It requires that we "unlearn" some things which have become rote for us as UM pastors. Having recently read John Wesley's "Large Minutes" and being challenged by scholars Andrew Thompson and Doug Meeks, I'm led to share these things:

1. Our seminary professors and continuing ed teachers were wrong about clergy professionalism. If we are to be about discipleship, conversion, and mission, we can't have "professional distance" from those we serve - we have to be intimate with those we engage! If we do not live this and model this, we cannot expect anyone else to do it. Jesus MET the woman at the well; he didn't say to himself, "This is improper," even though most everyone else probably did. Our society has confused intimacy with sexuality; it actually comes from the Latin intimatus/intimare, "to make familiar with." Familiarity doesn't breed contempt - it breeds a relationship!

2. Preaching needs some change. It's a sore spot for most preachers to be told anything critical about their preaching - but my experience is that collectively, we're missing the mark. When I was younger I was asked to preach at a 6-day revival; I had no idea what to do. An older colleague advised me, "Preach your six 'sugar sticks.'" If I had it over to do again, I would have met with the church leadership several weeks beforehand and heard their story, their struggles, and their edges so I would know their context. Preaching has to be (a) hermeneutical, (b) preach Christ, and (c) help us make a connection WITH Jesus. As Wesley was clear to note, preach the Christ whom the scriptures witness, not the scriptures themselves. I have to remind myself often: it's the logos, stupid!

3. UM Pastors - more specifically, elders and deacons - act too much like a union (I've blogged about this before) and not enough like servants and vessels. I'm not the only one that has noticed this; our polity once protected pastors so they could be about Kingdom work (i.e., security of appointment), but it has now turned into (a) a financial benefit/liability that we may one day not be able to honor, and (b) led in some cases to ineffectiveness through malaise. Few of our laity have such a safety net, and indeed in some congregations, the pastor may be among the highest earners in a local church when salary, insurance, pension, housing, and other benefits are considered.

4. The Book of Discipline is too large, connectional and conference structures too wieldy, and theological/missional/discipleship questions as well as policy questions are often decided by popular vote instead of theological/missional focii. What was once a tool for order has become an imitation of US government bureaucratise and an entity unto itself. When we need a judicial council to tell us (or prevent us from) how to do mission and discipleship, we have got serious problems (there hasn't always been a judicial council, by the way). These things can change - even the Book of Discipline. If you don't believe one individual can make change, think again.

5. We don't live the trust - much less model it - that the Kingdom and the denomination demands of us. We often get put on committees or commissions and remain silent, waiting until the parking lot or text messages to our buddies to kibbutz and critique... thus depriving the institution we vowed to uphold and denying the spirit of conferencing that is so at the heart of our Wesleyan DNA... and then turn around and chastise our congregations for doing the same after board and council meetings! Of course it means conflict and difficult conversations. However, Christianity - indeed, Jesus - was no stranger to conflict or hostility. Read the correspondence of John and Charles Wesley, who were even estranged for a period of time over differences of opinion. Or read John Wesley and George Whitfield. St. Nicholas attacked Arius over heresy (though probably didn't slap him at the Council of Nicea as legend says). Without trust and honesty modeled and lived, we cannot embrace the deep change that this season required of us!

6. Like it or not, we have to be generalists. More than once I have heard, "That's just not me" or "I was raised/educated in a different era." To those that we serve, that is a great disservice.

For example: I didn't grow up with nor was educated in the use of multimedia in worship or for preaching. However, I have since learned that only about 9% of the population are auditory learners - and a lecture-style of preaching and witness is thus limited in its effectiveness.

Now, do I personally like using images, movie clips, etc. in my sermon illustrations? Personally, no. But I'm learning how to do it - because it is effective for many and helps address the hermeneutical task of preaching, which today has become a larger and more diverse method of verbal AND non-verbal communication of interpretation of the biblical text... which is NOT to be confused with exegesis, which is the more narrow focus of examination of the text. I wasn't taught this or raised with this, but they are effective methods of preaching that I cannot ignore. God could care less whether or not I "like" something personally.

We also have to be counselors, spiritual guides, able to read/interpret a financial report, teach doctrine, lead catechesis, and develop leadership to aid in all these things. None of us will be experts in any, much less all, of these things. But they are part of the authority of being ordained and licensed for ministry, and in a Wesleyan ethos we have to continually ask ourselves these questions: (1) What shall we teach? (2) How shall we teach? (3) What shall we do?

I used to think we used the model of medicine or law in training our pastors and leaders (lay or clergy) for ministry. But I am now of the opinion that we need to embrace the model of artisan/apprentice. It's relational. It's modeled. We mentor others as we are mentored. It's the education the disciples received - and after 3 years, they were commissioned to "go and teach."

We've got a lot to unlearn, and a lot to learn. But oh my, what a journey and opportunity!

Pax,
Sky+

Paradigm Shift

I despised this term in college and seminary - it was one of those phrases that people couldn't wait to use, similar to words and phrases used today like "fleshing out," "dichotomy," "postmodern," and "contextual theology." But I can't think of a better term for this season of the Church. A paradigm shift is needed if we are going to be faithful to the mission of the Church. And like most shifts, they are painful and require sacrifice. As Chris Holmes, former DS and now coach-trainer for pastors across several denominations, says in his newsletter: "Shift happens."

I posted the above from Gil Rendle's book Back to Zero a few blogs ago - and I think it still has much to teach us about being the church. It would be very easy to be dismissive of this and say, "Eh, it's the latest fad, I'll wait it out until this wears off and dies down." The problem is that is this is far from a new fad; this is Ecclesiology and Missiology 101. We usurped that and replaced it with our new-and-improved way of doing things which ran tangent to the Great Commission. Membership is important, and I don't think we quit monitoring it. But discipleship is even more important; indeed, the true definition of membership - defined by our baptismal and membership vows - is to not just BE a disciple, but to make/generate/model disciples and discipleship. Any other definition of membership makes it akin to a club that has privileges. Church membership and discipleship has responsibilities.

For United Methodist clergy, the paradigm shift affects how we develop and deploy leadership. Already there is a lot of pushback from changes we are seeing - and pushback is usually a sign that a new reality is present. Changes in clergy deployment are being witnessed for a simple reason: our churches are no longer the churches they once were (economically- or attendance-wise), and the contextual realities where those churches are located are shifting. It's not ageism, sexism, or any other discriminism - it's "shift happening." As a D.S., I realize more than ever how much I have to learn, study, and be present in the district and conference to be in touch with reality. The shift for the superintendency (General and District) is less and less about being a bureaucrat and administrative manager and more and more about coaching, missional strategizing, and relating to people and churches.

I was taught in seminary about having "professional distance" from parishioners; yet intimacy and fostering relationships with people is more critical than ever in a discipleship and mission model of ministry. My style of preaching is having to change. We clergy have got to love people like we've never been hurt and be willing to take the risks for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom. There is no other way to teach and lead passion for the Gospel to transform a hurting world.

We clergy are going to have to do this knowing that (a) our congregations are shrinking, (b) our denomination is hurting in everyday imaginable (did you know that the United Methodist Reporter is out of business June 1?) and that un-sustainability is a real possibility, and (c) the role of clergy is shifting. Yet, at the same time, (a) our God is an awesome God, (b) there are more opportunities than ever to do ministry and make disciples, and (c) Jesus promises to be with us, to the very end!

There is much to be done - but there is joy in doing it! I remember in the minutes before I was ordained a deacon (back in the "old" days), I was so scared that I wanted to throw up and say, "I can't do it." But I also remember when the hands were laid upon my head that there was nothing else in this world that my heart burned for than to serve the Lord.

My friend Ed Kilbourne sings the most wonderful song, based on some traditional words. I wish I had the musical track to go with it, but here are the lyrics:

You've got to sing when the spirit says sing

And obey the spirit of the Lord

You've got to sing like you don't need the money

Love like you'll never get hurt

You've got to dance, dance, dance, like nobody's watching

It's got to come from the heart if you want it to work

And if you hold back the word that might heal somebody's pain

You're holding back yourself from the light

And if you make your decisions based only upon gain

You will see the world with only partial sight

And if you need some assistance but don't let your buddies know

You're keeping them from being all that they could

And if your heart starts a talkin', better let those feelings show

You don't want to stop the flow of something good

-"When the Spirit Says Sing," Traditional, verses by Missy Stratton Morgan, medely arrangement by Cafe Society,

chorus "Come From The Heart", Susanna Clark/Richard Leigh (©EMI April Music) 

I believe this is the paradigm shift we need to adapt to and adopt. Or, more accurately, re-adapt to and re-adopt.

Pax,
Sky+

REPOST: Erosion of Trust, or Erosion of Faith?

Confession: I spent about five years of my ministry angry - namely, the years 2004-2009.

I wasn't angry about being mistreated as a pastor, or upset that my salary wasn't as high as I thought it should be, or that I was "passed over" and someone else got a church that I might have wanted. I was angry that the two generations of church leadership before me allowed United Methodism to get into this shape.

Over the years, I have helped put together conference journals, served the Connection at the General and Jurisdictional level, and represented my religious order at the General Board. What I witnessed, in ways financial and administrative, was that our UMC was hemorrhaging - and had been - for a long time. We have experienced a net loss of millions in membership in my lifetime, and it made me angry that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren might not have a United Methodist Church to attend; not because it was God's will, but because we failed to lead and make disciples. It made me angry that a lot more was going to be required of me than my predecessors if I were going to be faithful to my baptismal and ordination vows. It made me angry that I might not have a pension to live on in my last days. Anger threatened to consume me.

And it was wrong. I was wrong.

It took every prayer discipline I had to regain focus and perspective, and I realized that my anger was my own sin of wanting someone or something to blame rather than to do something about it, and that the reasons for church decline were far more intricate and complicated than could be attributed to any one cause. I allowed my own prejudices and need to blame erode my faith, and that was the true failure - with no one to blame but myself. I had experienced not an erosion of trust, but an erosion of faith.

Getting to the point of admission and doing something about it was freeing, it was empowering - it was literally my salvation. It changed the way I approached and carried out ministry. Instead of a career, ordained ministry became the way I best lived out my baptismal vows instead of a career (hey, clergy and lay alike, we're ALL called first by our baptism, not our ordination). I stopped comparing myself to other pastors and their appointments (a/k/a "Steeple Envy") and the unholy game of competition. It was time to fish or cut bait: either I start trusting God and the UMC (which I said at my ordination was the best way to express Christianity), or I hang up my stole and turn in my credentials. By God's grace, I started trusting God again. But like God's grace, trust in God is something we either accept or don't - that's on us.

In this season of the UMC, our trust in God is called upon more than ever. We are a communion not based on loose association, but by connection and covenant. Yet trust is severely lacking in the UMC; we've showed the world that in many ways, but we did so especially at General Conference 2012. Our trust was so lacking that one delegate wanted members of a committee/commission to stand so she could see if they were "diverse enough." And now that we are living into this difficult season in the UMC, our propensity to avoid the unknown, to shun the different, and to suspect the worse is making us paranoid and ineffectual. Manifestations of this culture of distrust have led us to public displays of distrust:

• Our bishops meet in a closed meeting to discuss accountability - instead of praying for them, we criticize them and say they are being non-democratic.
• Bishops and cabinets vow to make pastoral appointment-making missionally-driven instead of entitlement-driven - but critics say that they are being unfair and ageist.
• Clergy are encouraged to be vulnerable and transparent in their leadership - but are distrustful of laity because of past betrayals and recriminations.
• Laity are asked to sacrifice their time and money for the Church - but become distrustful of clergy who seem to be more concerned in maintaining their benefits and guaranteed appointments than sacrificial Kingdom work.

The root of all these things is not truth - it is fear. Fear that the bishops might be "scheming." Fear that another pastor might get a better appointment than me that I feel that I deserve. Fear that what we say in truth will be used against us in hate. Fear that someone has it better than I do. 

To embrace Christ fully, however, means to embrace that perfect love casts out fear. It means that our own wants and comforts are outweighed by the needs of the Kingdom and our sacrifices for it. It is not martyrdom - it's a glad and willing obedience. It means that nothing is sacred but the mission. Once I understood that, it became easier to trust. Our brothers and sisters may let us down, but God is always faithful and trustworthy.

Click to enlarge

When I was asked to be a district superintendent on March 1, 2011 (an AWFUL time to start this position!), I said yes. I knew in this season of the Church it would be difficult work. But I also knew that it was my opportunity to turn my former distrust into joyful obedience, and my despair about the Church into an opportunity to make a difference in the life of the conference and community of faith that raised me and nurtured me.

There is a letter that I keep at my desk that reminds me of my task and that there are no earthly "guarantees" ahead of me - indeed, I suspect there are tougher days ahead then there are behind for the United Methodist Church, as well as all Christians. But in casting out fear, the shackles are removed to work for the Gospel hope and future - and I don't think God is done with us yet. I believe that the best is yet to come.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. There is no Christian alternative: we have to love like we've never been hurt, trust like we've never been betrayed. If we don't, we will simply choose to divide ourselves - and thus seal our fate as a denomination. 

I think God expects greater things of us - and I think they're coming. The Lord will take us there, and only by faith can we follow. 

Pax,

Sky+

Our Baptism is Our Ordination

Last week, the Paducah and Paris Districts completed the second weekend of the Generative Leadership Academy. I was hoping we would get 50-60 people to participate this year; instead, 150 showed up, paid money out of their pockets to be there, and availed themselves to four weekends to have their faith deepened and become church leaders who will in turn “generate” more church leaders and disciples (as opposed to members) to work towards church vitality and discipleship! Quite frankly, the response has excited me and terrified me all at the same time. I’m excited that laity are hearing the call to discipleship and responding; I am terrified that the ball will get dropped and we clergy and lay leaders wont’t seize the opportunity.

I recently read an article about Pope Francis that reminds me of a harsh reality about the Church: we are often guilty of clericalism, defined by Greg Kandra as “focusing fundamentally on the things on the things of the clergy and, more specifically, the sanctuary, rather than bringing the Gospel to the world.” Not just clergy can be guilty of clericalism – laity can become clericalized very easily in the name of the Church, functioning in church offices, serving on boards and agencies, driving hundreds of miles to represent this and that committee, and believing that this is our chief way of serving God and the Church. Whenever laity and clergy alike forget that spreading the faith to our communities and world is our primary task and that all other tasks are the tools and means for doing so, we forget our mission: to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Nothing should be sacred but the mission!

In 1991 I entered ordered life, and it has been the greatest blessing of my life to live under a “rule.” Ten years later, I wanted to discern placing myself under “life vows”, and the mentor assigned to me was Hoyt Hickman (those of you who are United Methodist will know him as one of our denomination’s worship “gurus”). I had know Hoyt for several years, but having him as my mentor was one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. When we first met, and for the several months we met afterwards, Hoyt cared nothing about my ordination vows, my vocational aspirations, or my gifts as a clergyperson. What Hoyt wanted to know what how I lived out my baptismal vows. In his words, “that’s where it all starts.”

It was a valuable lesson. And as I continue to grow in faith and now have this unique view as a district superintendent, I realize that it is THE question we need to be able to answer, whether we be clergy or laity: how are we living out our baptismal vows? How are we discovering and cultivating the gifts given to us through the Holy Spirit at our baptism?

You see, our baptism is our ordination. Clergy – see your laity as fellow ordinands for the common ministry of the Kingdom. And laity – know that you have been called and claimed by God and given all the gifts you need to do ministry. And Church – don’t stay in the sanctuary; go out into the world and take Jesus Christ to a hurting world who needs to know the Good News. To quote Pope Francis: “When the Church does not come out of itself to evangelize it becomes self-referential and then gets sick.”

And let the people say, “Amen.”

Pax,
Sky+