Associates in Advocacy
Justice Always,
Reconciliation and Restoration Where Possible
Dear Bishop,
It is that season again, appointment season! This is the Cabinet’s time to shine, a time to remobilize to make Disciples, the time to place the best pastors available in the churches where their gifts and graces can help the most. Despite what Bishop Solomon implied with his Appointment Game, the larger number of assignments you all will make relate to experienced pastors who are not outside the main stream.
In this letter, I want to discuss how an appointment change is announced. In my years, I have seen it done several ways. The best is always when the superintendent made the announcement, in person, at the church where the change is to occur. There are three reasons for that.
One, who is making the change? The Cabinet, the ones who embody the episcopal office. If anyone else makes that announcement, it appears that they may be the authority to make a change instead of the Cabinet. As a bishop you surely do not want to give the impression that anyone but you set that change. The congregants can then be assured that you really are in charge and that the change is the result of a larger vision for the conference.
Two, all changes have a degree of emotion involved, everything from glee to rage to despair, on the part of the pastor, SPRC, and key church leaders (often the ones with the deepest pockets). Letting anyone but the superintendent announce the change opens the door to releasing those emotions in public. Avoid the potential of unnecessary conflict within the church and let the superintendent be the appropriate one bear the consequences.
Three, only the superintendent can speak with authority about the concern of the Cabinet to provide a new pastor. No one else can reassure the congregation that they will be getting a new pastor at the proper time of change and that the current pastor will be taken care of for his/her next appointment.
I have horror stories about situations where the superintendent did not do it. Besides, they are finally responsible and should have the courage of their convictions Or you could do it. Since we are not waiting anymore for conference, have the DS do it.
In the covenant of the clergy,
Jerry
Rev Jerry Eckert, AIA contact person
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
2 comments:
Amazing are the changes to announcing pastor appointments in the United Methodist Church. The disrupt to the "kitchen cabinet", gathering of non-cabinet members forecasting appointments, has been interesting. Interestngly, it has increased frustration among laity to hear the announcements prior to pastors' speculations and instructions on how to interrupt certain appointments or welcome "ideal" appointments. As a pastor, I prefer announing my departure from a congregation without informing them of who is to follow. I respect the role of the superintendent to announce the incoming pastor. It is my responsibility to assume silence on critic of the newly announced appointment, so that the superintendent or bishop can duly share the rationale. It has been a whelming 38 years in giving of my personal self and family to the appointment process. In addition, I had twenty years of accepting without voice the appointments of my father prior to my own. Throughout these 58 years, in the end, we packed boxes and bags where we had been and left. Then, unpacked and trashed what trustees and SPRC personnel could not remove prior to our arrival into our new home. Then, on the first Sunday in the pulpit of the new appointment with pastoral voice these words are said: "Here we are! Whatever has been announced or read before now is our past compassion; you have our current compassionate care." The essence of this comment is; whoever has the role to announce the appointments should carry it out with compassionate care - respecting, listening, and empathizing with persons caring enough to be concerned...always speaking the truth in love.
Amazing are the changes to announcing pastor appointments in the United Methodist Church. The disrupt to the "kitchen cabinet", gathering of non-cabinet members forecasting appointments, has been interesting. Interestngly, it has increased frustration among laity to hear the announcements prior to pastors' speculations and instructions on how to interrupt certain appointments or welcome "ideal" appointments. As a pastor, I prefer announing my departure from a congregation without informing them of who is to follow. I respect the role of the superintendent to announce the incoming pastor. It is my responsibility to assume silence on critic of the newly announced appointment, so that the superintendent or bishop can duly share the rationale. It has been a whelming 38 years in giving of my personal self and family to the appointment process. In addition, I had twenty years of accepting without voice the appointments of my father prior to my own. Throughout these 58 years, in the end, we packed boxes and bags where we had been and left. Then, unpacked and trashed what trustees and SPRC personnel could not remove prior to our arrival into our new home. Then, on the first Sunday in the pulpit of the new appointment with pastoral voice these words are said: "Here we are! Whatever has been announced or read before now is our past compassion; you have our current compassionate care." The essence of this comment is; whoever has the role to announce the appointments should carry it out with compassionate care - respecting, listening, and empathizing with persons caring enough to be concerned...always speaking the truth in love.
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