I'm Just Sayin'

Lately, many of my clergy friends have embarked on many plans to raise up other young clergy within The United Methodist Church, and I applaud them for it.  However, I get frustrated when it seems that clergy leaders are the only ones who "matter" when looking at the future of the denomination.  I know clergy are supremely important to the continuation of our denomination in the future.  Afterall, I am married to a pastor and daily see the ways in which he and his colleagues care for and lead their congregations.  However, they won't have a denomination, or congregations, for that matter, to lead if we don't also focus on raising up "lay" (non-clergy) leaders.  

I'm struggling here and in my interactions with the topic to not seem like I'm whining.  ("Look at me, I matter, too!!")  I also struggle because I am one of "those" people who would like to see change but don't know how to help/start and don't really have the desire to be the one to forge the path.  In all honesty, that's why I dropped out of the ordination process to become a deacon--too many questions to answer and challenges to overcome.  And I saw a way that I could be in ministry without having to jump through the hoops.  Do I regret it?  Not really.  The whole issue of defining who deacons are and how their ordination is distinct and different from elders and now local pastors is a mess that seems to only be getting worse, and I don't want to go into that right now.

I think my biggest concern is that by focusing so much on raising up "young clergy," I see a potential devaluing of the ministry of the laity, who are equally as called and equally as necessary (if not more so) to the work of the Church.  If we are truly to see change in the way our denomination is heading, then we need leadership, yes.  But that doesn't mean that the clergy have to or even can do it by themselves.  We are called to work together.  

There is another caution for those who are now classified as "young" clergy (however that might be determined), whether by age or time in "the system."  The caution is this: if you don't quickly look behind you at those who are coming behind you, then you risk putting yourself in the same situation as those with whom you seem to be frustrated now.  The danger is that you might be fighting for change that you yourself will not benefit from.

So, that's just my two cents.  But then again, what do I know?  No one's laid hands on me to set me apart, I'm just one of the masses.

North Indiana UMC Annual Conference

Long time, no post. I wouldn't say I've been too busy, but I just haven't really found anything to blog about.

I spent last week at North Indiana Annual Conference, the annual gathering of 1,000 United Methodist clergy and laity (the people in the pews) in the north half of Indiana. I was a candidate for representing the Conference at General Conference (once every 4 years the global UMC gathers) or Jurisdictional Conference (a gathering of north central US UMCs every 4 years, in the summer after General Conference). There was 1 young adult clergy and 1 lay youth elected to fill two of the 22 slots (10 clergy with 2 alternates, 10 laity with 2 alternates). Don't get me wrong, that's good, but it doesn't say much for raising up leaders from youth and young adults within north Indiana. There were also decisions passed and conversations about youth and youth adult ministries at Annual Conference that leave me feeling the neglect of my generation by the conference.

I'm not really one to talk about God "tugging on my heart strings." But if I were, I would think that was happening this week. I did a lot of complaining last week. It got to the point where I was asking myself why I continue to go to Annual Conference if I apparently don't like going. And I came to the conclusion that I want to be a part of the leadership of the conference, and I want to see the best of the conference. I want to see the ministry of the Young Adult council thrive, but I honestly don't see myself leading that. (I know, I know, every pastor and leader's nightmare--someone else who has ideas but doesn't want to carry them out.) But it's not that I don't want to carry them out, it's that I don't see my gifts in that area. I want to see the ministry thrive, so I'll be a part of the ministry, but I think others would be better at leading it. A cop out?....maybe, but that's where I am. So, I need to spend some time discerning how I want to get involved to a deeper level. Some prayers for that would be fantastic.