Death by a Thousand Cuts (4 of 5)

Associates in Advocacy

Justice Always,

Reconciliation and Restoration Where Possible

http://www.aiateam.org/

Dear Bishop,

Here are the problems: Cabinets have become antagonists to pastors rather than being colleagues in ministry.  Being prosecutors rather than pastors, Cabinet members no longer think in terms of how to help pastors and churches succeed together.  Instead, they undermine their pastors’ ministries by joining forces with complainers rather than evaluate the whole situation to see who is really causing trouble.

Cabinets tend to be inexperienced and are certainly lacking in training in personnel management.  There are no requirements that episcopal and superintendent candidates be educationally qualified at anything like the military’s Officer Candidate Schools.

Cabinet members tend to only hold themselves accountable (which they rarely do) and resist anyone from outside to do it.  If there are consequences for Disciplinary violations by bishops and superintendents, the ones harmed never see it.

Cabinet members, especially bishops, are wrapped up safely in financial packages way beyond 99 percent of the pastors as well as have power which distorts every contact with those same pastors.  Thus it is easy to become insular and above criticism to the point where blaming others is the probable response when there are difficulties.

With few exceptions, my dealings with individual bishops are usually very good.  Nearly everyone I have talked with has been gracious, attentive, and professional.  What really scares me is the mindset with which the Council of Bishops influences individual bishops’ practices and worldview.  Good bishops go along with that small handful who are controllers who set the tone and agenda of the Council of Bishops. 

Possible solutions?

Tomorrow.

In the covenant of the clergy,

                 Jerry

Rev Jerry Eckert, AIA contact person

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.