Kim Shockley, Coordinator of Lay Excellence
I am writing this article today as a lay person who serves within the Susquehanna Conference as the Coordinator of Lay Excellence.
In recent weeks I have continued my work among you as a coach, consultant, and facilitator/trainer. I have been concerned that we—lay and clergy alike—could do a better job of seeing the big picture of who we are together as the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. I realize that when I speak or write, sometimes my internal judge comes out and folks feel judged or scolded. Please know up front that is not my intent in writing today. My heart is heavy and it seems to me that I can speak a truth from my perspective that may help us to move forward together in a way that will be winsome to the people around us.
So, here it is: the most discouraging phrase that I hear from some folks in local churches is an angry, blaming line that says something like, “The Conference did this to us.” I usually hear this during the appointment season when your beloved pastor is being appointed to another congregation, even though it is clear that pastor’s appointments are for one year at a time. And I’ve heard it in every Conference that I’ve served, throughout the United States! I know that these words come from your grief in losing this pastor, and your grief is often expressed early on with anger and blame. Here are some thoughts to consider:
- We are “The Conference.” All of us together make up the Susquehanna Conference of the UMC! We pay Shares of Ministry to support “The Conference.” We send your pastor and lay people to represent you when “The Conference” meets every year. We are “The Conference!”
- When we are blaming a change of appointment, we are essentially blaming the difficult work of our Cabinet and Bishops. It may help us to put these faces with the words. The appointment season for 2023 was the most difficult ever. With 141 churches and quite a few pastors disaffiliating, and 25-30 pastors retiring, the work that our Cabinet and Bishops had to do to make sure that churches have pastors was daunting to say the least. They already know that our itinerate system will be difficult for some and many will experience grief. Are we praying for the work that these dedicated men and women of God do on our behalf every year? Could we send them notes of encouragement? A friendly voice in their email inbox would be a welcome experience! Now with increased territory to cover, our prayers and encouragement will be the best part of their day! This also applies to our Bishops, who manage three different Annual Conferences— imagine what their days and nights are like times three! I interact with each of these people in my work. I know they are trying their best to do a nearly impossible task. They need our prayers and encouragement!
- Let’s talk about the math—if we retire 30 pastors each year and only ordain or commission a handful, how long will we have pastors to send? If our churches or charges doesn’t have a person in the “pipeline” toward professional ministry, that is a real problem for us all! Consider someone who may be called to be a Certified Lay Minister—folks who want to be able serve congregations or live out a specialized ministry either within or beyond their local church. Consider those who may be called to be a Local Pastor—who are the hands and feet of Jesus in a multitude of our communities. Consider those who may be called to Ordained Ministry as Elders and Deacons—they take the extra steps of training and accountability to lead our churches well. All of these people come first from a local church within our connection. They are our people! How are you praying for God’s voice and God’s call to be heard among the people of your congregation?
- Finally, consider the work of your congregation. How are you praying for and partnering with your pastor? Are you actively looking for the next people to invite to your church? Are you planning special events (mission, fellowship, fun) specifically to invite others to get to know you and your congregation? How do you welcome newcomers? It is everyone’s responsibility to provide that warm and friendly greeting to each other, as well as those who you meet throughout the week – they are your neighbors, and God has told us to love our neighbors! Even a church with a few folks can do the work of being salt and light in their community by being a place of prayer and hospitality.
A friend shared an image that helps me to grab hold of these concepts and put them back together again. Consider the work of our conference today like a wagon wheel. The goal would be to move, like the spokes of the wheel, into the hub where we are closest to God. The one thing that often keeps us from getting closer to one another is our inability to forgive. If we can’t get closer to one another, then we can’t get closer to God. I encourage you to find ways to move through grief and anger toward forgiveness so that you can embrace the new opportunity that has come your way. As a preacher’s wife, I’ve been in this mix many times, but I discovered that God always provides the next right answer, especially if I had an attitude to be able to search for it and embrace it. I pray that you can do the same. God is with us, always!
