Comments for albanroundtable

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “We Do It Differently” by Judith Gotwald

Judith Gotwald — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:59:05 +0000

This message focuses on the possibilities opened up by servant leaders and is vital to the Church today. Our leaders are so focused on maintaining the same fiscal bottom line and management structure of yesteryear that congregations are somewhat crippled by the expectations laid upon them. We are living in an entirely different environment, which, if the church does not recognize, will leave the benefits and blessings of church membership to the affluent — counterproductive to the message of the Bible.

The role of leadership is changing dramatically all over the world. Business is learning that it must give consumers a voice. Dictators are dropping like eggs from a tall hen. The voice of laity in the church is still muted by centuries of tradition.

I like this article’s return to the model of leadership demonstrated by Jesus. It is not a bit trite for today’s church leaders to stop and ask “What would Jesus do?” That’s one reason we have the Bible.

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “We Do It Differently” by harmonyumc

harmonyumc — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:15:21 +0000

I just read Not Just a One Night Stand: Ministry With the Homeless, by John Flowers and Karen Vannoy (Discipleship Resources, 2009 (UMC)). Their primary conclusion after years of ministry with poor and marginalized persons is that WITH is the key word. It doesn’t work to do ministry FOR. Our best serving is to empower others to be able to serve. This is the leadership Jesus modeled and his disciples got it. I’ve been thrilled to see our older congregation in an urban-transitional neighborhood getting it, as we are including homeless people, addicts, economically struggling people, depressed and anxious people, and folks who are ‘other-abilitied’ in DOING ministry. I think part of the ‘success’ is the realization that the church will die unless it opens up in these ways. I increasingly find it is truly the core of the gospel. When we lose our lives we find them. We are having the professions of faith with which our denomination leaders want to measure us. Now: can we pay for it? -Mark Harvey

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “We Do It Differently” by Bob Sitze

Bob Sitze — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:17:05 +0000

Landon:

Nice take on leadership! It puts WWJD in a wonderful perspective that leapfrogs over most of the frenetic craziness that can come from holding onto the wrong metaphors. I really liked the idea that “different” should characterize our thinking and acting.

Thanks for your insights!

Bob Sitze

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “Pastor as Teacher, Congregation as Learning Community” by Ed

Ed — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:13:39 +0000

I see a different problem that needs very specific answers. Let’s say we want to teach scripture to adults. Aside from the Sunday sermon, when do you do more? What day of the week and what time? Many of the young adults with families are both working in the daytime and caring for the kids in the evening. Older people who have more time don’t like to drive at night, especially in the winter. We tried a “Scripture Before Supper” program on Tuesday evening from 5 to 6. It was good, but we never had more than 16 people, and it eventually dropped to six. On most Sundays, teens have athletic practice, and one parent does the driving. How do you compete with that? Maybe Sunday evenings? How much can you demand from one pastor? I don’t see any easy, SPECIFIC, answers to this. Anyone out there have some?

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “Pastor as Teacher, Congregation as Learning Community” by Eric J. Siroka (@jazzrabbi)

Eric J. Siroka (@jazzrabbi) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:52:43 +0000

Does such an image of the office and calling of the ordained clergy have any meaning or relevance today?

Our author asks this timely/timeless question – to which I respond: it’s the ONLY role that matters!
Nice piece, overall, thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights….

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “Pastor as Teacher, Congregation as Learning Community” by Rob McFarlane

Rob McFarlane — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:04:10 +0000

Re generational reproduction: OK, I made it too much of an either/or. It is both; thanks for providing the balance, Harmony UMC. However, working with congregations who have already lost the “missing generation”, the question of generational reproduction is of historic or theoretical interest. For instance, with youth groups, congregations with mostly older members will say, “There are no young people in the area any more” because their children and grandchildren live elsewhere. For them, Sunday Schools and youth groups WERE about Christian education for their offspring (generational reproduction). For those congregations, if they venture into children’s and youth work, they need to shift from Christian-education-as-reproduction to youth-ministry-as-mission.
Switching back to the role of ordained ministers with adult members, Christian education is about deepening members’ discipleship, out of which mission will grow, not just informing them of the faith.
I’ve found the following Alban books helpful:
Jeff Jones “Traveling Together”
Roy Phillips “Letting Go”
Diana Butler Bass “The Practicing Congregation”

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “A Question of Growth” by Claire Starr

Claire Starr — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:26:49 +0000

But surely Jesus calls us to be disciples and to disciple, He didn’t do everything Himself, He called 12 disciples and it then grew like yeast or any other cell for that matter. The church can’t grow if one person alone is being the church to the community, that’s like the captain of a ship doing all the work and everyone else on board being like passengers on a cruise liner, everyone has to work together. God gave us the Holy Spirit with gifts to build up the Body of Christ, why on earth would a body who was fit and healthy just rely on one toe or finger, or a nose to get around, that would be ridiculous. Jesus said ask the owner of the fields to send more workers, the harvest plentiful. I think we just see being a priest/ deacon/ minister/ pastor in a very limited way and we need to pray and ask to see through God’s eyes how to do this, to open our eyes to all the possibilities!

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “Pastor as Teacher, Congregation as Learning Community” by The Rev. Douglas M. Carpenter

The Rev. Douglas M. Carpenter — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:15:32 +0000

Mollegen is spelled with two Ls

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “Pastor as Teacher, Congregation as Learning Community” by The Rev. Douglas M. Carpenter

The Rev. Douglas M. Carpenter — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:22:41 +0000

I can remember so clearly Professor Albert Molegen telling the class of 1960 at Virginia Seminary that we must be “always teaching, both in season and out of season.” – Doug Carpenter

Comment on Resources and Comments in Response to “Pastor as Teacher, Congregation as Learning Community” by harmonyumc

harmonyumc — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:36:18 +0000

I DO think generational reproduction is a concern. If not for a particular congregation, for the Church at large. We are always just one generation away from extinction. Read Philip Jenkins’ THE LOST HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY. Yes- we clergy must train and equip. I have a discipleship-teaching session every Wednesday night, different from preaching in worship. Lately I’ve been using the resources i use with NEW people in Orientation, as I’ve discovered the folks who have been around for years have all but forgotten what we are to be about.