Congregational Development Considerations

Episcopal Life Online - NEWS

2010-02-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

Attitude of Gratitude

2009-11-13T13:05:00.001-08:00

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, I have an awareness of the many blessings which God has so richly shared with us. Participating in a community (both diocese and regionally) of folks who are willing to share their gifts with others is quite an inspiration. Our Congregational Development Commission has folks with vision and commitment to celebrate and urge churches to thrive. Laity from all walks of life give generously to the reign of God -- through time, talent, and treasure. We see signs of health and vitality in places like St. Philip's, Beulah; Trinity, Marshall; St. Andrew's, Grand Rapids; Grace, Holland; and so many places where energy for ministry and mission is widespread.

Many have traveled to the Gulf Coast from our diocese to help in the rebuilding required even now after Hurricane Katrina. With the dedication of Terry Dorcy and Lynn Carson, the gathering of volunteers and their gifts of time and talent to build -- houses and help re-build lives.

I offer thanks for all of the many who show the way to the rest of us. Thank you for your generous inspiration!

Musings from the Desert - October 14

2009-10-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve been reading Behold, I do a New Thing by Kirk Hadaway. This statistician has written a book for our time. The subtitle of the book is Transforming Communities of Faith. It has been my observation over 20+ years, of work in the Episcopal Church and with Ecumenical partners, that many congregations have become confused as to their reason for being. And it is totally understandable. Those whose formative years were in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s have relished stable places in their lives – and the congregations in which they find themselves often provide a stable environment. For many of the “greatest generation” (as Tom Brokaw calls them) change is not necessarily a good thing; it can bring violence, pain, and sorrow. For those whose formative years have been since the 1960’s, however, change is part of life, and is an exciting part of life.

As we discover the leadership in our congregations shifting from one generational prominence to another, we have a golden opportunity to revisit the question of Hadaway: In what business is the church? He reminds us that the church is about transformation, and that if we are not engaging in this difficult to measure characteristic, then perhaps we are no more than a social club or a gathering of folks who do good works. Transformation is about becoming more than who we believe ourselves to be…it is about going deeper with God, and finding resources that inspire and encourage us to act in ways that surprise us.

Perhaps the reason I feel called to be in ministry in the church at this time and in this place is because I, too, feel the need for transformation. This is a part of my journey with Christ, and being on that journey with others is exciting for me.

Mississippi Mud

2009-08-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

On July 31 the temperature was about 95 degrees, humidity was high, and a week of volunteering at Camp Coast Care (Bay St. Louis, Mississippi) -- and a wonderful sabbatical--came to an end. It seemed a fitting end, to be among folks whose lives are still in upheaval from a natural disaster. The need for the church to 'keep it real' is never more evident than in the lives of those we encounter where hope is tenuous at best. The ministry of the church is most fully accomplished when we, by touching the lives of those in need -- and through the Grace of God--, turn sorrow into joy. And the sin of needing to be needed is most apparent when those of us who volunteer set parameters on our time that make sure we get what we want out of the volunteering, without regard to the true needs of those we are ostensibly serving through our volunteerism.

A youth group from the Diocese of New Jersey was there at the same time I was. It was wonderful to be there coincident with them. Most arrived with little skill in construction. All left knowing they could hammer, caulk, tile, and de-construct. Their sense of joy had little to do with the specifics of the work, but the knowledge that they were helping someone, or several someones.

What I 'did' in Mississippi doesn't really matter. The fact that the ministry of LESM (Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi) continues to need volunteers to help restore homes, lives, and community remains...and for 5 days my time was used well and to the benefit of those in need. Those who continue to labor in the Mississippi Mud, day after day, need our support. We need to pray for them. We need to send our time, talent and treasure. So many of the grants and financial resources once available are drying up, and the need is still great. It may not be as 'sexy' as it was at first. And the nature of the work ranges from building to feeding to administration.

It is wonderful that our diocese continues to send folks to the Gulf Coast. Camp Coast Care has moved from Long Beach to Bay St. Louis, which makes some of the homes targeted for building assistance as much as an hour (or more) from 'camp.' It is my hope that those who are asked to work on those more distant sites, will not bemoan the travel time, but rather rejoice that they are meeting a need that is established by the LESM folks...and rejoice that they are able to be of service as God needs them...not as they want to be needed.

This is not easy...all of us (including me!) want to have some meaningful way to engage the world. My hope and prayer is that I can learn to find meaning in opportunities the way God provides them. As Nancy Seger said to me at General Convention (where I was "volunteering") -- "we are here to serve...if that's where you need to be, that's where you go." Truer words were never spoken.

California Dreaming...

2009-07-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

As my sabbatical comes to an end, there is so much to ponder and consider about life and particularly life in the Church. For 10 days I was at the General Convention in Anaheim as a volunteer. In spite of my ambivalence about maintaining institutional structures and the church in legislative processes, it seemed a good idea to immerse myself amidst friends and colleagues, and gain an appreciation for the mission of the church. What happened was surprising. Meals were shared with old friends, and I gained a newer appreciation for the mission of the Church. The Episcopal Church leaders gathered in Anaheim struggled with issues regarding mission and vision. It seems that God so loved the world, God didn't send an institution. It is a wonder to behold the institution at work.
The mission of the Church was engaged when many who were present stood in solidarity with the service workers at the Disney hotels whose livelihoods were being put at risk. The mission of the Church was engaged when many of those present in Anaheim helped build a Habitat for Humanity House. The disappointment for me was that neither of these opportunities were afforded to the legislators, because the gruelling schedule kept by deputies and bishops precluded them from participating -- unless they avoided a legislative session or committee. As a volunteer at General Convention, I was given the opportunity to see a little of the ECW Triennial gathering as well as the workings of the House of Deputies and House of Bishops. I am grateful for the chance to experience these things, and realize that my ministry does not lie in a legislative process...and I wonder about that for the rest of us.
Also while in California, I enjoyed taking a young person to the Pacific Ocean -- her first time seeing any ocean; and I enjoyed reconnecting with family. It was a delight to rediscover the mountains. The psalmists speak eloquently of the wonder of it all, and I was able to 'Lift up my eyes to the Hills...' out of a hotel room in the high desert. God's creation is truly amazing.
As I spend the last week of this blessed sabbatical engaged in the mission of the Church, (Katrina relief at Camp Coast Care), I continue to pray that God will open my mind and heart to love and compassion.

The Holy Longing

2009-06-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

I try to spend one day a week 'away' -- at a retreat center -- to pray, read, and respond to the Holy Longing within me. This is also the title of a book by Ronald Rolheiser. In the chapter on the Paschal Mystery there is much similarity between the work of William Bridges Transitions and the Triduum and Great Fifty Days. It seems sabbath gives one the space to rediscover and live with those deaths in our lives which have not been fully mourned, and room to live into the new spirit that God gives one during life's journey.

On another subject...last weekend I experienced the gift of hospitality from St. Richard Episcopal Church in Chicago. During the 2 day Avon Walk for Breast Cancer there were several rest stops along the way (one between every 1.5 to 3 miles). Of all the churches we passed (and there were several!), only one offered it's hospitality to the thousands of men and women who walked by -- St. Richard's. Their Third Sunday String Band played, which encouraged us and lightened our feet; they invited us to write on a list the names of those for whom we wished them to pray; there were stickers we could complete and wear: "My hero is ---"; and their smiling faces and verbal encouragement were a great testimony to the value of welcoming the stranger. It would be wonderful if churches sought out opportunities like the Avon Walk -- or something else -- that would share the Peace of Christ with those who are strangers. It's good to get outside our doors and let the people of God know we love them!

Sabbath time -- a time to reflect

2009-06-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the generosity of the leadership of the Diocese of Western Michigan, all full time employees on our staff are entitled to sabbatical. Mine began on May 1, and this is the first reflection on the past month.
If it has had a theme, I would say: Reflection, Reconnect, and Recharge.
Reflection

At least once a week I have spent time at a retreat center pondering the scriptures and reflecting on the life of Jesus. I am blessed to have Jesus, whose life was a challenge, to walk my journey with me. I find in him a person whose life shares many experiences with mine -- through the pain, challenge, joy and sorrow of his life. When I see his reactions to things, I can learn from them, and increase my ability to be loving in the way he is loving.
In mid-May, I attended an "Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations" workshop held at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary, in Gettysburg, PA. I was intrigued to participate because Roy Oswald, a now retired Alban Institute Consultant, has always done good work and opened my mind up to new ideas, and encouraged my ministry. Several folks participated in a '360' evaluation of my emotional health, and the results were shared with us at the workshop. I was heartened to learn that the areas of growth were not shocking, and the areas of strength were not surprising. What I probably learned most effectively, is that for me to act as an emotionally intelligent person, having weekly time to reflect and integrate the world around me will make me an even more emotionally healthy human being...it is the 'being' that can often get neglected in the work of the church. Ironic, isn't it?

Reconnect

As an empty nesting mom, it is always a treat to reconnect with my college age son. His choice to spend his first summer away from the family has been a good one for him, and during May I was free to be available to him as often as he requested.
Back to Baltimore - the friends I have there are almost like family, and it was good to be with them. I even saw an Orioles game! There is likely to be one more opportunity for a trip east before the month of June is out.
It is a blessing that my mother (now 77 yrs old) desires to visit. She and I drove back from Baltimore together and are enjoying a good visit.

Recharge

Reading some of the books in preparation for the Seabury D. Min. class in June, and catching up on a year's worth of Congregations magazines is beginning to stir new energy for the future of the Church.
Spending time outside the institution is good, and helps me ask the question: Why do I do this? Do I still have this passion for transformational ministry? It is early yet, but I believe the passion is still there. How it will continue to be forthcoming, only God knows!

Wrapping up the year -- on to sabbatical!

2009-04-25T12:48:00.001-07:00

I ususally try to keep this fairly short, but considering an annual report needed to be made for our just completed convention, I thought I would just give you an overview of my work for the last year. On Friday, May 1, I will begin my sabbatical. It is my intention to keep you all updated periodically with the work and reflections this sabbath affords. Thanks be to God for the gift of sabbath!

Congregational Development Ministry & Statistical Summary

+ Living Stones Partnership – Attended Partnership gathering with the Bishop and Debbie Egnatuk from Trinity, Marshall. The Baptismal Ministry Experience and Reflection presentation, and notes from the gathering are posted on the Diocesan Website (http://www.edwm.org/congregations/congdev/documents/BMER2009.pdf).

+ Smaller Membership Churches: A Process of Transformation for All the Saints – Once again our ecumenical partners with the support of Journey at Western Theological Seminary have developed a year long reflection and learning process for our smaller membership churches (those with fewer than 100 in Average Weekly Attendance). After an initial kick-off, where the Rev. Mary Frens (St. Mark’s, Newaygo) was one of the presenters, the participating churches read Christianity for the Rest of Us, by Diana Butler Bass. To help churches ‘go deeper’ there have been two cohort meetings in geographically central locations. Thanks to folks on our Congregational Development Commission who served as cohort leaders for these gatherings. In May, those churches participating will meet with Dr. Bass for a final event.

+ TEAM-M (The Episcopal Area Ministry in Muskegon) -Two years ago, the churches in Muskegon County began conversations about how to enliven the ministries of individual congregations and collaborate in the area of Outreach and evangelism. As part of their work, a Vision Team was appointed to consider how the Episcopal Church could become an even more significant presence in the Muskegon area. The Vision Team, with which I worked, made a recommendation to the TEAM-M group in June.

+ Congregational Development Commission – began its work in earnest in the Fall of 2008, ably convened by the Rev. Sue York. As Staff person to the Commission, much has been discussed. We look forward to having the Rev. Karen Ward in the diocese on September 26, 2009, to speak with the diocese about what it means to be a missional church. A separate report from the Commission is being filed for convention.

+ Cascade Property Committee – The Executive Council asked that a group be convened to make a recommendation to them regarding the disposition of the Cascade Property (formerly St. Michael’s Church). Ivan Wheland and Lisbeth Eichner, along with the Revs. Val Ambrose, Charleen Crean, Cindy Nawrocki, Christine Tillman have met and continue to gather information in order to make a recommendation to the Executive Council. We are grateful for their commitment and time, as well as input from John Kingslight and Steve Wade, and look forward to making a recommendation in September.

+ Natural Church Development (NCD) – As expressed at the Congregational Leadership Day, this program is being expanded (slowly, and as ‘coaches are available’) in the Diocese. To date 5 churches have taken the NCD survey and received some form of coaching, and 4 churches have expressed an interest in the program. We have at least 2 consultants who will be receiving coaches training within the next year.

+ Church of the Holy Spirit – Continues to live with an eye to growth and innovative ways of engaging ministry. Meeting with the Advisory Board and the Vicar to work through issues and discuss ongoing future possibilities continues to be part of the Congregational Development portfolio.

+ Vestry and parish meetings – are an ongoing part of the work of Congregational Development. At least 5 churches, not in clergy transition, have taken advantage of the resources of the Congregational Development Office.

+ National Gathering of Congregational Development Officers in February – was an opportunity to learn from colleagues about engaging ministry in new and creative ways. Of particular interest to our diocese is the work of the Diocese of Colorado in Resort ministry. CDs of the first event are available to congregations, and we hope to send folks to the conference in 2010.

+ 5738 miles travelled (within the diocese) in service to Congregational Development.

Reflections

Our world is rapidly changing, and the church is no exception. With costs increasing in insurance and the cost of living, we now have over half of the churches in the diocese served by clergy on a part-time basis. Congregations are discovering new ways to engage partnership both within the diocese, and ecumenically. We are well poised as a diocese to respond to the call of the Emergent Church, and reach out in creative and unexplored ways. I look forward to embracing this journey with you.

On the Road Again

2009-03-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

To coin a familiar tune, much of March has been "on the road again." The week of March 9 was spent with 38 of my colleagues at the Transition Ministry Conference. This group meets twice a year (Spring and Fall) to exchange the names of clergy seeking new positions and congregations seeking new clergy. At the Spring conference, we also have personal development and professional development time. This year, the Province V Transition Ministry Officers (with one exception) were present and we continue to build our trust together as new folks come into positions and others leave. Also, a representative of the Fresh Start program spoke to us about the new resources available through Fresh Start. This time proved to be a good reminder that as we work with congregations during the clergy transition process, we don't have to continue to re-invent the wheel. We have tools already at our disposal. As a result of this conversation, at the next Diocesan Consulting Team meeting, we will be discussing what aspects of Fresh Start can be included in the consulting process during a clergy transition.

March 15-17 was a national gathering of Congregation Development Staff. Because the conferences were in reasonable proximity (and therefore involved only one plane ticket), I attended the first of these in several years. We had a presentation from the consulting team of Central Florida, and they shared their process of working with congregations that have become 'remnant' congregations as a result of a split. It was helpful to hear that we engage in similar work, even though our contexts are different. Lots of good ideas came out of the experience, which will be shared with the Congregational Development Commission in April. One item of particular interest is that the Diocese of Colorado has assumed the 'task' of having conversations about resort or seasonal ministry. They produced a video after their first conference last year, and are looking forward to a second conference in 2010. Another item of note is that the Episcopal Church and ecumencial partners along with the Gallop organization are developing a tool to assist with the discernment of folks for congregational re-development. Hopefully this tool will be available in April. Also, two 'national church' staff people were present: Bob Honeychurch, who works particularly in the area of Congregational Vitality, and Andrew Kronenwetter whose area is Multi-cultural Ministries. Both bring interesting perspectives to their newly assigned ministries.

Sunday I spent the day with the congregation and leadership of Church of the Holy Spirit in Belmont. As they begin to work through those things that will transpire with the retirement of their Vicar, we have a strong commitment to continue to provide avenues for them to succeed. Much of God happens in this church, so aptly name "Holy Spirit". The Bishop and I will be working with the congregational leadership for a transition plan, with the hopes that it will be identified before May 1.

Travels do not always produce an abundance of riches, but in this case, it has. Now to devote the follow-up time to take advantage of all I learned! Please keep the ministries of the churches of the Diocese of Western Michigan in your prayers.
Blessings on your week.

Save our life, or lose it

2009-03-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

Much reflection has been spent this week on the Gospel of Mark 8:31-38. Verse 35 reads, "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it."

At the Leadership Workshops during the Congregational Development Presentation, the program of Natural Church Development (available from Churchsmart.org) was discussed as a tool for congregational development. In order to engage any congregational development effort, it is important to look at the church's health and capacity to adapt. Adaptation could mean 'losing our life' in order to 'save it,' because adaptability often involves change.

At the Interim Clergy meeting on Monday, we discussed this scripture and the fact that often during a transition, congregations are discovering aspects of life that must be let go in order to be ready to receive a new rector...another case of 'losing life' in order to have a new start.

At the Congregational Development Commission meeting today, we spent a full hour discussing this scripture and the implications to the Church - What does it mean to 'lose our life in order to save it?' Could it be that we need to reconsider how the institution of the Church can retain meaning for future generations? We recalled the conversations about the Great Emergence, and how we need to be present to old ideas -- ancient traditions -- in ways that make meaning for people today.

Is it possible that the ministry of Congregational Development calls us to discover just how willing we are to adapt so God can work in our lives? Is it possible that the ministry of Congregational Development calls us to lose our life, so that we can be saved, yet again, by Jesus? Is it possible that the ministry of Congregational Development is to extend God's invitation to 'go deeper' and discover who we are as a community of faith, both in our congregations and in how we engage mission?

I think the answer is yes to all of these. It takes an act of will on our part to say 'yes' to the difficult work of putting our own desires aside and listen for God's invitation. May God give us the wisdom and courage to do so.

Living with Change-a Lenten Journey

2009-02-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

As we begin the Season of Lent, the change of the seasons this year is more apparent than in some past years. The lenghtening of the days, the warming of the air, and the changing energy in the world around us helps me see that change is something that is regularly a part of our lives. Much of my time has been devoted to working with congregations in transition these past several weeks. And therefore, being present to the anxiety that exists when a congregation is seeking a new rector is part of the rhythm of life -- and yet it is never routine.

While at Living Stones, we heard from Mike Wagner, who is a consultant dealing with large corporations, and he is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian tradition. He offered some helpful insights regarding change. I share them with you, so that we can partner together in dealing with the "changes and chances of this life." May you begin a blessed Lenten journey.

Focus on ‘change’

1- If you don’t feel strange, awkward, or weird, it’s not change. Performance goes down before it goes up.
2- People have different levels of readiness and as leaders its our responsibility to help navigate that.
3- People experience change as loss- even when it’s positive change. Let people grieve the change.
4- Change is a journey that must be managed because if we don’t lead it & manage it, things will go back to the way they were before.

Living Stones

2009-02-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

Today the Bishop, Debbie Egnatuk from Trinity, Marshall, and I offered a 'case study' as part of our partnership in Living Stones.
Here's a little background: Living Stones is a partnership of 27 Canadian & US dioceses who gather once a year and reflect on the ways in which the Church offers leadership with an emphasis on the Ministry of the Baptized.
Our Baptismal Ministry Experience & Reflection will be posted on our Website (www.edwm.org). Suffice it to say, our reflection was focused on the ways the diocesan staff and volunteers who work on behalf of the wider church serve individual congregations as 'ministry developers.' In our cluster (or reflection) group are folks from the dioceses of Olympia (which is Western Washington state), Ruperts Land (Canada), Nebraska and Chicago. They offered much food for thought, and encouraged us to foster an understanding that developing ministry in congregations is helping congregations become the people of God. Also, we received the invitation to celebrate the ministry of the baptized in every congregation -- all the time. And the ministry of the baptized is identified through our baptismal covenant, which is also reflected in our diocesan vision & mission statement. We in the Diocese of Western Michigan need to look at the gifts within each congregation, and celebrate those ministries and individuals who live out the faith of the baptized...and it's not merely functioning within the bounds of the church. Doctors, nurses, plumbers, lawyers, electricians, students, teachers, and all of those who live outside the few hours of church on Sunday are exercising their baptismal ministry -- or at least have an opportunity to do so.
What do we do to celebrate and acknowledge this? Who is God calling our congregations to be and how do we live into the best we are called to be? How do we invite everyone who attends worship in our congregation to name and claim their ministry? This is the invitation and call of ministry development.

Epiphanies

2009-01-23T18:40:00.000-08:00

Discovering that this epistle actually has a few followers is a humbling experience; and one that causes me to desire even more strongly to share what is meaningful and substantive in the world of Congregational Development in the Diocese of Western Michigan.
When I came here in June of 2003, the Bishop had agreed that my notion of Congregational Development and Transition times in the life of congregations are inextricably linked. Heretofore I have avoided discussing transitions in churches, but it seems awkward to continue that practice, since I still believe the two to be connected, and since the two areas are the foci of my ministry.

Working with congregations during the transition in clergy leadership affords me the opportunity to engage in conversations with the Vestry and Search Committee together, so they have a common understanding of the size of their congregation and what that might mean about the nature of leadership they seek, as well as where the church finds itself in the life cycle. There are two monographs (also available on the Episcopal Church website) that are instrumental in this discussion: Sizing up the congregation for New Member Ministry; and Life Cycle. Arlin Rothage wrote these some 15 years ago, and yet they are still useful in describing the system of a congregation and the role a clergy leader is likely to play given the church's size. It has been my priviledge to work with Arlin shortly after these became public, and in the Diocese of Western Michigan, they are useful tools in congregational development -- fundamental, I think.

Once a congregation has a way to talk about how it functions, then we can have a discussion about the 'nuts and bolts' of application in a particular congregation. I had just that conversation last Sunday with the Vestry in one of our churches. Role clarification for clergy and laity is a helpful and necessary conversation if the mission of the congregation is to be lived out. If we get tangled up in disputes over whose responsibility it is to sweep the floors, then we are not having the conversation about how to live a Gospel-centered life. Every person in the church has a part to play in Gospel work. We need to know the community's expectations of us in order to find out if and how we can fulfill those expectations.

On another note, the Executive Council of our diocese posed several questions to the Congregational Development Commission related to mission strategy and ministry development in our diocese. The Cong. Dev. Comm. has begun to work through these questions and will make its first report to Executive Council tomorrow.

As we live into this season of Epiphany, when the wise ones visited the manger, and made known to a world outside of Palestine that an amazing birth had taken place, I pray that we may all discover new ways of considering what it means to be 'church,' and open ourselves to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Joyeux Noel

2008-12-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

As we approach this Christmastide and a work hiatus for a little over a week, I completed my 'expense reimbursement' for the months of October, November and December. During those three months, I drove over 3000 miles to meet with search committees, diocesan committees, and parish leaders. It is always a surprise to realize just how much 'road time' is spent -- because the time with colleagues in ministry always makes the travel time seem insignificant.

We now look forward to a new year, full of concern and wonder regarding the capacity of our congregations to have the financial resources to sustain ministry as it has been known to them. We need to keep the Star of Bethlehem before us. It is the call of the star to the travellers from the East that invited them, and continues to invite us, to seek God incarnate. We have been given many treasures -- the people who serve in the name of God, the treasury of our churches, and facilities to support ministry. May we have the wonder of the Wise Men to seek transformation and find new meaning in our ministries.

A time of Waiting & Preparation

2008-12-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

Transitions in congregations are often frustrating because there is so much time spent in waiting --waiting for the Parish Profile to be written, waiting for people to respond to the invitation to consider a new Call, waiting for names, waiting, waiting, waiting. Yet, as in the season of Advent, this waiting is not to be taken lightly. It is in fact a very active time, when things are moving in the nature of the transition process, and God is actively working in the lives of those who are engaged in waiting.
This week has been almost consumed by Transition Ministry work: a two-day meeting with Transition Ministry colleagues of Province V in Milwaukee, talking with laity involved in the calling process of a new rector, interim clergy, and clergy considering making a change in their ministry. Much of the conversation has been about the process and how to engage it in ways that will result in a positive experience for the clergy and people together.
And then there is the preparation for the Living Stones Partnership gathering in February. As the deadline is upon us for producing the Baptismal Ministry Experience & Reflection document to be shared with partners, I find myself attempting to explain in 4 pages the ministries offered through those in our diocese (both paid and volunteer) who serve as ministry developers in Western Michigan.
May God give us the insight to wait and prepare for God's presence in our lives.

Advent Season begins

2008-12-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

The First Friday of Advent is the cusp of a slightly hectic time. These past two weeks have been filled with holiday celebrations (Thanksgiving & travel) and interesting professional opportunities (time & travel).
A team of volunteers and staff have been working with one of our congregations to help align the administration of the parish with the business practices of the Church, in order to be clear about available resources for the mission they have to their community.
As a reflection, we have several congregations whose financial resources are not clearly articulated, and when clergy transition comes to the parish, it is important to be completely transparent to the congregation, and to the Diocesan Staff, to assure that resources are available for ministry and mission.
Also these past two weeks, the Reflection paper required for our Living Stones Partnership gathering in February needs to be completed, and I am continuing to receive feedback from the Congregational Development Commission and others regarding its content.
On a professional level -- I have been asked to facilitate the Board of Trustees retreat for Seabury-Western Seminary in February. To that end, I write this from Memphis, where I participated with others from Seabury in a conversation yesterday about the future of Theological Education and the age of Emergence.
I would commend to you a book by Phyllis Tickle "The Great Emergence." It is a helpful articulation of the church in our times.

A week in the life...

2008-11-21T13:08:00.001-08:00

Since Wednesday, there has been much intense conversation in the area of Congregational Development in the Diocese of Western Michigan.

New clergy gathered in their Fresh Start group and invited me into a discussion about the role of Interim Rectors, their training, and the expectations that congregations have of new clergy. Several recommendations were made regarding the interaction of staff at the early stages of a clergy/congregation transition: first, staff need to get to the Vestry before the rector departs, and at least twice immediately thereafter, to share the process, and articulate opportunities for clergy leadership during a transition, and the expectations of the Bishop during a Call process; second, to assist the parish to work identify what needs to happen during an Interim Rector's time, and during the transition.
Also on Thursday, I spent time with an Interim Rector discussing the issues of the congregation during the interim, and I spent time with a fairly new rector, discussion vision and mission strategy for that congregation.

Today the Congregational Development Commission met to reflect on scripture, discuss the questions raised by the Executive Council regarding a strategic planning process, refine the presentation to be made to the Living Stones partnership, and reflect on the book The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle. Although we were only able to really spend time on the first two, our next meeting in January will continue the strategic planning discussion and plan the 2009 calendar.