District Superintendents, How They
From our advanced listserv
Friends,
Today I heard from a friend that she is leaving ministry. Last night's SPRC meeting was the last straw at the end of thirteen years of trying. A very good friend of mine, hearing the story was shaking his head. I know he is already moving out of ministry. Just before I began to write this I picked up an e-mail from a friend in the southern part of the state who is leaving ministry for the same reasons. This is three very good pastors in a day!
I could not help think of the timeliness of our conversation.
This might be the start of a new string and I hope it is not purely self-serving, but I would be interested in hearing from the list what part, if any, a district superintendent or bishop could play in this change. Specifically, if I were your DS what could I do that would make a difference to you in your ministry. I have a very good bishop who is I think trying to effect major change in our denomination. If it were not so I would not have agreed to become DS. Now I am discovering that there really is no job description for a DS and you have incredible freedom to define the job for yourself. What would you see as the most important thing a DS could do to encourage the kinds of change we all long for.
From Bill Easum
Work only with those churches who are healthy and anytime you hear from a PPR commiittee about a bad pastor make them document. when you hear the same thing over and over, go in an clean house. Most DS keep a file on dysfunctional activities of churches. If you have such a file, dont respond to those who have been a problem for years.
The best thing you can do is try to discern the trouble making pastors from the transitional pastors and support the transitional pastors.
one more thing. I would not have made it where I was for 24 if a DS had not supported me the first two years of turnaround when more than a dozen people called him asking for my resignation. He stood by me, someway knowing I was a transformational guy rather than a dunce.
Hewrites: "Specifically, if I were your DS what could I do that would make a difference to you in your ministry. "
I have a DS who is more of a spiritual coach to me than anything else. She is one of the best DSes I ever had. It sure beats the "command and control, this is the way you're going to do it or your appointment is in jeopardy" approach that I have received before. Jim Griffith, an EB associate, is currently working with our area denominational officials to help us implement a coaching process Conference-wide. There are signs that the way we have always done things is changing...and for the better. There may be hope yet!
Response
Number one: Be there to encourage those who are sticking their necks out. Let them know of your support. Pat them on the back and tell them that at least you recognize what is really going on.
The last three years have been very difficult for me at First UMC in Biloxi. Even with the growth we experienced before Katrina I have had to take a lot of criticism from some in the congregation. One member (thankfully he is no longer the chairman of PPRC!) came by a few weeks ago to meet with me. He told me I was the best pastor that he had ever had at getting new people in the church but it was time for a new pastor. I guess he wants to go back to being a dying church on life support.
It has been very helpful that my D.S. has been personally supportive and seems to understand what I am going through. Could he do more to support me? Yes. But at least I know he doesn't think the conflict in our church is my fault but rather comes at least partially because I am doing what should have been done years ago.
If you have a pastor who is sticking her neck out and is doing the right thing let the church know of your support.
Find at least one pastor who wants to do the right thing and mentor him or her.
Finally, if you can't find a way to help, at least DO NO HARM!
Response
Friends - it has been encouraging to follow this conversation thread and the passionate responses. I think we all agree that you could substitute any denomination in place of UM and the sad reality of the state of the Church would still be applicable. I am an American Baptist minister and identify with many of the weaknesses that have been shared for denominations as well as the local church. (Considering what I've read, I guess considering changing to Methodism may not be too healthy! - this is a joke - don't read into it!)
I am into my fifth year at my current church, and have the scars to show for it. I have a colleague in town who is also a Methodist minister who has the same scars from trying to move people from where they want to go to where God needs them to be. We would like to think that it's just a "small town / rural" mentality, but it is prevalent everywhere. I have been challenged about not recognizing the difference between doing God's will and my own will among other things. There is a contentment in staying as they always were and not thinking there may be more out there for them to do and be. Someone once said the only difference between being in a rut and a grave is the depth of the hole, and sometimes I'm not sure which I'm in! Hopefully, as long as I'm standing, that means it's just a rut!
Although I am open to other opportunities for ministry placement, there is still a part of me that still wants to remain here, even in the midst of overwhelming (and at times spiteful) opposition. The reason why is for the small and increasingly frequent victories I see in the lives of the people here. To see someone who is growing in Christ come forward and attempt to do great things for God without prompting and without concern if it will meet with favor or disfavor (or even concerned if they are totally successful) is a "holy ground" moment. Those are the people we need to be investing the majority of our time and sweat equity in mentoring and discipling. That's what church is all about, in my opinion. There are some people who are called to be chaplains for people, but spiritual hospice should not be the dominating nature/call of the church.
One other thing that keeps me focused despite the frustrations I face. The church is imperfect; it was created by imperfect people and will not be perfected until Christ returns! So I guess that means dealing with the imperfect while helping to perfect those who "get it."
Response
support the change agents - stop the hands-off, no voice crud and bring the resources of the conference to bear on the situations that show promice of God centered - Spirit filled change.
Response
A D.S. has the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the conference.
I would like to suggest that you gather 12 visionary pastors and laity (6,6)
and bring them together on a regular basis to begin studying successful
churches, listening to consultants and successful pastors, discussing
current trends and most importantly, through Bible Study, listen for God's
vision for your district. We began doing this about 1 year ago. Each time,
I introduce a Bibile Study. Then I ask questions that steer the
conversation toward a particular idea. Sometimes we include book studies or
and articles. Although we have not studied enough to develop a
comprehensive plan, God is guiding us and we are taking baby steps.
Response
Leaving the negatives aside (NOT throwing authority around, NOT trying
to micromanage pastors & churches), here are some things a DS could do:
1. Live as a learner. If I know my DS is current on leadership &
evangelism learning, I'll be more likely to turn to the DS for help. I'd
like my DS to have been to the leading teaching churches and have
digested their material. I'd like my DS to know the major literature in
the field and how it can be made practical in our local region. I don't
need a DS who knows everything, but I'd like a DS who knows where to
point me when I have questions.
At least in our AC, DSs seem to spend too much time flitting from
meeting to meeting to be involved in learning. (The good news for us is
the our bishop is trying to change the model.)
2. I'd like a DS who doesn't pretend to know me on the basis of a Hi/Bye
relationship. Too many pastors have been squished by the SYSTEM. It'll
take time for a DS to earn the trust of pastors.
3. This speaks to the larger system a bit. I'd like DS to get to know
pastors well enough to make use of their gifts and experience beyond the
local church. I have a PhD in theology. I lead a growing church in a
small town. The AC never seeks to use my skills, however. I see so many
people who have so much to offer, but they usually take the easy way out
and get the same people over and over again.
4. DSs should ask lots of questions - and then listen - and then ask
some more questions. "What is your understanding of your church's
mission?" "How are you communicating that to your people?" "To what
degree is your church's vision for ministry shared in the whole
congregation?" "What barriers do you see that keep it from being more
widely shared?" "Do your people have a passion for evangelism?" "How do
you model a passion for evangelism to your people?" "What unique
characteristics shape your community?" "How do these affect your
ministry?" "Is your calling finding fulfilment in your current
appointment?" "What could I do as DS to help you better fulfill your
calling?" Etc. Ask these of the pastor and lay leaders in each
congregation. Do it within single congregations and in groups of
congregations so churches can learn from each other and be inspired,
provoked and challenged by each other.
Response
One thing that I have appreciated about my current DS is that she asked each of us pastors to set three personal goals at church conference time, and then the following year we reported on these goals and set new ones. At colloquy (sub district gatherings) from time to time, she asks how we're doing on our goals. One of my goals has been to lose weight, and to state that publicly in front of the congregation was helpful (although I still haven't gotten them to quit leaving cookies and cupcakes in the freezer at church...)
It was helpful for me to have to think, 'what could I do this year that will help feed my soul?' and then to have accountability with the congregation and the boss...
She started doing this because she noticed how unhealthy many of her flock (we pastors) were... of course, SHE's a marathon runner!
Response
One suggestion with a story ('cause I'm a preacher and that's what I do)...
In my current district we have only 15 full connection elders in 93 churches. However the district is very active as a group. In some ways this is great as it allows the larger churches to support the struggling ones. With the lack of elders we seem to have multiple roles. I serve on 4 district committees right now. That's far too many. I put my efforts toward the DOMT and Lay Speakers since this is the way I think I can have the most positive impact. But I'm just a body on two other committees that take way too much time. While it's important for competent elders to assist those who serve churches around us, we can also be taken out of our churches far too much and thus adversely affect our fruitfulness in the local church. Watch out for the temptation to overwork a pastor on district and conference teams when they are begin effective in the local church.
Honestly speaking, let the ineffective pastors work on district stuff, they seem to have a lot of time on their hands anyway.
Response
As long as a future DS (or two?) is listening....
How about having a workshop/seminar.event in your district each year and
require churches who want new pastors to send their leaders. Bring in
someone like Bill E to talk about building/becoming an evangelistic
church. Before, after, and through out the year inundate the churches
with communications telling them that that's what you look for in
healthy churches. Then tell the leaders of those churches that you plan
to appoint the kind of pastor who will work toward evangelistic
transformation to their church.
Of course, this will likely run into a supply problem.
Of course, it'd also help to have a bishop who thinks that way.