Completion of Lewis Fellows

I've been off-line for a bit due to two things: I was a part of a leadership team for a retreat for Middle Schoolers from all over the Annual Conference called, "Spirit Quest," and then I went coast-to-coast for my final time in Baltimore with the Lewis Fellows Program.

One of the highlights was heading to DC to spend time at Wesley Seminary (two colleagues, Bryant and Nathan are seated in the picture at Lovett Weems desk...so a messy desk is a sign of good leadership!), a quick time at the National Cathedral and then up to Baltimore with a group of guys to see an Orioles game.

A sign of a good program is one that leaves you wanting more...that certainly was the case! The Lewis Fellows Program got me reading, thinking and talking about leadership in ways I had not yet engaged. It gave me some good practical wisdom, some confidence and hope. All things I think a program aimed at young clergy would want to do!

One thing I'd recommend to pastors regardless of age or denomination is the new tool the Lewis Center is developing to help pastors assess their leadership called the LPLI. You can learn more about it here.

Like many United Methodists, I'm focused on General Conference and holding our delegation, led by Molly in prayer. It's early on, and so seems like folks are getting along...but once the 7 AM to 11 PM schedule starts wearing on the delegates a bit....that's when prayer will be that much more important.

Continuing the Conversation...

So, I think talking about the idea of guaranteed appointments has struck a nerve. There has been some interesting comments about it left below. Andy B. also wrote about it and a couple of other issues. What I'm aware of is that there are symptoms of underlying problems-- mostly related in our case to leadership and discerning God's will. There is language in the Discipline to deal with ineffective clergy. There is an over-arching desire by most in the church to work to make sure appointments are good matches for clergy and laity alike (we all want what's going to allow us to make disciples for the transformation of the world). And yet, it is appointment season, and cabinets are working with folks they don't know what to do with-- and will place them with Jesus-loving folks who want leadership to help them grow.
And this does not even address the justice issues raised....
Do we have the leadership to do the tough work and figure this out?

Guaranteed Appointments....good or bad?

Thanks to David for the link to this article.
It talks about some of the issues in the UMC around the guaranteed appointment. Since we're under the appointment of our Bishop, once we get ordained, we have what amounts to lifetime tenure. There will always be a job for us, no matter how competent or incompetent we are.
Reading the article, it is clear that this system was originally set up back in the 1950s to help clergywomen get jobs. (There were plenty who would not accept a woman in their pulpit...imagine how they'd feel about a pregnant woman in their pulpit!) I love that the General Conference was able to find a way to make this a justice and equality issue, a way to back up their decision to ordain women.
It is pretty clear today, though, that the guaranteed appointment might be more of a stumbling block to us than a help. Sure, it is still important to help some in our connection-- specifically persons of color and some women-- but for others it almost endorses the notion it does not matter whether one works to grow in competency, faith and leadership--the Church has to provide me with a job.
Of course, I have to quip that considering how little the Church pays and how much they expect, guaranteeing us employment is sort of a perk. What do you think about guaranteed appointments? Do they help us or hurt us?