Shalom!
For those who a) find this, and b) care to respond,
1. Are you a lay person or an ordained person?
2. In your opinion, what are the top three or four issues facing local congregations?
3. In your opinion, what are the top three or four issues facing clergy in congregations?
4. In your opinion, what are the top tools a pastor ought to have in the pastoral skill kit?
I think you can click on the comment box below and respond. You may respond anonymously.
Shalom!
dave
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1 comment:
1. Are you a lay person or an ordained person?
Ordained United Methodist Elder
2. In your opinion, what are the top three or four issues facing local congregations?
"Comfortable" congregations do not feel the need to change. The ministry focus most have is on being "comfortable".
Small groups/individuals with assumed or actual power who confront rather than cooperate with pastors.
For our UMC: A combination of (1) the itineracy (uncertainty and no percieved influence on one's future or present vocation), (2) minimum equitable compensation (many congregations have a tacit understanding that this is "enough") and (3) little incentive for congregations or clergy to engage in constructive long-term work/improvement (lazy congregations and pastors will continue to be provided for forever, where engaged congregations and pastors can see their relationships ended with a new appointment anytime).
3. In your opinion, what are the top three or four issues facing clergy in congregations?
See above, plus:
(4) An appointment that is a mis-match. Congregations seem to be in decline (needing a turn-around pastor or a hospice chaplain), stable (maintainence ministry) or growing. The mis-matching that often happens can quickly burn out a pastor or damage a church.
4. In your opinion, what are the top tools a pastor ought to have in the pastoral skill kit?
(1) Two active communities of other pastors. The first are colleagues in our tradition, the second are colleagues with no ties to our structure.
(2) A supportive spouse whose career (if any) is not subject to the vagaries of the itineracy.
(3) A good understanding of counseling theory and why people act the way they do.
(4) A DMin. This seems to be the only credential our UMC seems to value, regardless the equanimity we express. I know of no Cabinet member without one and our more secure pastors all seem to have them.
With twelve years in ministry and two graduate degrees and I have been appointed to the smallest full-time congregation in our Conference at minimum compensation. I'm 53. 12-13 more years and I will retire. My wife already has serious health problems.
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