tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post8991894010646075734..comments2023-11-05T00:58:55.352-07:00Comments on A Peculiar Prophet: The Sending of PastorsWilliam H. Willimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-84049667427027963522009-04-09T07:57:00.000-07:002009-04-09T07:57:00.000-07:00Hello Bishop,I appreciate this approach very much ...Hello Bishop,<BR/><BR/>I appreciate this approach very much and think this is a great step for our cabinet! What you have outlined here is much more balanced, holistic, organic, and theologically sound than a singular fixation on "results" (which has been problematic for a variety of reasons). Yet at the same time you have described a proactive and healthy process that will foster effectiveness.<BR/><BR/>This is evidence to me that the cabinet has not only been willing to take courageous leadership but has also been listening to feedback. I commend you.<BR/><BR/>While there are those who are probably offended by your statement that appointments in the past were made by seniority and hunches, I do think that what you have outlined here is a great process and would help curb that temptation if it should ever arise. I also think it is a sign of good health to spell out the process and make it available like this for the sake of clarity.<BR/><BR/>This process seems to me to be a good example of finding ways to be more exacting (using tools and measures instead of hunches) but at the same time tending to things other than numbers, which only tell part of a congregation or pastor's story. I do not have a problem with counting and agree that these numbers represent people coming to Christ. But it is also true that gifts and graces, leadership styles, mission and vision, and fruit that is more mysterious than measurable are part of the greater whole of who we are and how God calls us to serve together as congregation and pastor.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for this. Great work.Steve Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10983065678880352975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-90935298470260883632009-04-03T09:39:00.000-07:002009-04-03T09:39:00.000-07:00Mike,I don't know about Methodist polity, but in b...Mike,<BR/><BR/>I don't know about Methodist polity, but in both my present (LCMS) and former (Christian Chuch/church of Christ) there is definitely an "sent" concept involved for vocation.<BR/><BR/>In Matt 28, the oft cited Great Commission says Go, but could perhaps be more accurately translated "as you are going into the world"<BR/><BR/>Some of us have signs in our churches stating "you are now entering your mission field", or my personal spin, "you are now entering worship" ( see Romans 12:1-8)<BR/><BR/>If our people, in their vocations as parents, kids, employees, hobbyists, etc, do not see themselves as Christ's ambassadors to those places, we have failed to guide them, and are blocking them from using their spiritual gifts.<BR/><BR/>Send them out with your blessing, and with your cell phone number (in case they have questions or need prayer.)Pastor DtPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14935097095652034259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-78650378521228181142009-04-02T17:50:00.000-07:002009-04-02T17:50:00.000-07:00Bishop,I've been thinking a lot about the "sent mi...Bishop,<BR/><BR/>I've been thinking a lot about the "sent ministry" of Methodism. I wonder what would happen if we expanded the idea to include the laity. Aren't they also "sent ministers"? How that might transform ministry in our communities?! You mean all the baptized are sent?Mike Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04877669125191137984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-18555452162957495892009-03-31T20:51:00.000-07:002009-03-31T20:51:00.000-07:00This is fantastic leadership and management. Makin...This is fantastic leadership and management. Making personnel decisions based on facts and performance - that's how it should be done.MKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06904223547219628165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-56626117621310653642009-03-31T14:55:00.000-07:002009-03-31T14:55:00.000-07:00We just simply write a letter to the pastor – I wr...We just simply write a letter to the pastor – I write one and the DS writes one. No particular formula applied, other than our own impressions. We see it is simply a conversation about an important subject.<BR/><BR/>WillWilliam H. Willimonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-52245452231918261402009-03-31T10:35:00.000-07:002009-03-31T10:35:00.000-07:00Bishop WIllimon,I am curious about you and your ca...Bishop WIllimon,<BR/><BR/>I am curious about you and your cabinet commenting on pastor's sermons. The idea is interesting, and yet daunting! ( I have been blessed to have some sermons evaluated by great preachers, and a couple of mega church preachers.... it is always a fearful task, but helpful!)<BR/><BR/>Is there a basic tool you use for evaluation? <BR/><BR/>Is the focus going to be theological, or on the presentation or?Pastor DtPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14935097095652034259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-33636951577611112362009-03-31T06:52:00.000-07:002009-03-31T06:52:00.000-07:00Good question, John. Our hope is that by these sta...Good question, John. Our hope is that by these statistics being completely public, for all to see, that would be a safeguard on "cooking the books" (i.e. Lying)about the numbers. Our Dashboard will go public on the website in April. Already I've had laity from one church say, "We have no idea where our former pastor got the number of attendees that he reported." We are investigating.<BR/><BR/>We are still a long, long way from truly making decisions based upon numbers, but I think the beginning is in simply noting the numbers!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the conversation.<BR/><BR/>Will WillimonWilliam H. Willimonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-90595450619782555882009-03-31T06:05:00.000-07:002009-03-31T06:05:00.000-07:00Bishop Willimon,Do you have systems in place to en...Bishop Willimon,<BR/><BR/>Do you have systems in place to ensure that there are not temptations or incentives to "cook the books" to make the statistics look better than they are?<BR/><BR/>I realize that suggesting pastors would act like regular people might offend some, but in most organizations where numbers are used for accountability and decision-making, there is a powerful incentive to massage the numbers.<BR/><BR/>Is there a system to verify the numbers that are reported in your statistics?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-23354436316012310342009-03-30T20:51:00.000-07:002009-03-30T20:51:00.000-07:00Hi Will,Keep in mind I cut my ecclesiastical teeth...Hi Will,<BR/>Keep in mind I cut my ecclesiastical teeth under Angie Smith! Your piece to me is good news and revolutionary. I love it.<BR/><BR/>I do take exception to the last point. It seems to me that a new pastor is on dangerous ground when he comes in fresh with new things for old heads. "Who is this guy anyway?"<BR/><BR/>Speaking positively, I think he needs to demonstrate love for the people, listen to them, spend some time getting comfortable with each other. "Make friends with the 'angels' of the local church before he/she dares to begin to lead.<BR/><BR/>I'm retired, living in Arizona, very happy. Served at 1st Green Bay and 1st Omaha before hanging it up.<BR/>I've admired your work for decades.<BR/><BR/>Roger Bourland<BR/>citrus1@cox.nethomeinarizonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12172270487531903515noreply@blogger.com