Charge conference = brain meltdown
Monday, September 29, 2008
I got home last night around 10 pm, after a marathon 14-hour day of ministry. Not that it wasn't enjoyable - morning worship, afternoon home visitations, and evening bible study were all extraordinary experiences of the grace of God working in the life of his church. Heck, even the finance committee meeting that capped off the night was redemptive!
Sure, you may be asking, "Finance committee ... redemptive?" Well, yes, in a way. I serve in a small church where there is no paid staff (except me). And that means that the administrative structure of the church is carried forward by the laity. So when we sat down to hash out the coming year's budget, I got to experience - for the first time in my ministry, actually - what it is like for a group of God's people to set goals for themselves with no "professional" expertise. The intimacy and familial feel of such a meeting is powerful.
I've got to admit, I'm struggling just a little bit in our run-up to charge conference. My two previous appointments were as a campus minister and as an associate pastor in a large membership church. Campus minister? No worries - no charge conference. Associate pastor? We'll handle the tough stuff, thanks, just turn in your associate pastor's report. It was easy!
But all that changes when you find yourself in a ministry setting like the one I'm in now. There is quite a bit involved in 'getting your house in order' in preparation for the district superintendent's visit. And I'm starting to understand those early autumn sighs and worried looks from the student pastors I have known around Duke for the past two years. When you don't come from an administrative background, trying to juggle Lay Leadership, Finance, Trustees, P/PR, and the Church Council can be a pretty daunting task.
All of which is why I'm grateful for the saints at Mt. Carmel UMC. No pastor could ask for a more loving group of folks, who are understanding of a pastor who has some years of experience in the ministry but no years of experience preparing for charge conference. And I'm learning that grace can be found in unexpected places - even in a finance committee meeting!
Sure, you may be asking, "Finance committee ... redemptive?" Well, yes, in a way. I serve in a small church where there is no paid staff (except me). And that means that the administrative structure of the church is carried forward by the laity. So when we sat down to hash out the coming year's budget, I got to experience - for the first time in my ministry, actually - what it is like for a group of God's people to set goals for themselves with no "professional" expertise. The intimacy and familial feel of such a meeting is powerful.
I've got to admit, I'm struggling just a little bit in our run-up to charge conference. My two previous appointments were as a campus minister and as an associate pastor in a large membership church. Campus minister? No worries - no charge conference. Associate pastor? We'll handle the tough stuff, thanks, just turn in your associate pastor's report. It was easy!
But all that changes when you find yourself in a ministry setting like the one I'm in now. There is quite a bit involved in 'getting your house in order' in preparation for the district superintendent's visit. And I'm starting to understand those early autumn sighs and worried looks from the student pastors I have known around Duke for the past two years. When you don't come from an administrative background, trying to juggle Lay Leadership, Finance, Trustees, P/PR, and the Church Council can be a pretty daunting task.
All of which is why I'm grateful for the saints at Mt. Carmel UMC. No pastor could ask for a more loving group of folks, who are understanding of a pastor who has some years of experience in the ministry but no years of experience preparing for charge conference. And I'm learning that grace can be found in unexpected places - even in a finance committee meeting!
Labels: Ministry, Mt. Carmel UMC
posted by Andrew C. Thompson at 9:45 AM
4 Comments:
I so recall my parents getting read for the D.S. visits...such a big deal. And, my mom, laboring over a butterfly quilt for the D.S.'s wife. Seems like a lifetime ago. I'm still percolating on your previous post about community or lack thereof.
Yea! I've got my first "big boy" Charge Conference coming up. Your post is encouraging, Andrew
I feel ya, man. I'm reading the Discipline like my life (job?) depended on it. Actually, it's kinda fun. Puts things in perspective for the church and for the pastor. And I learn what the BOD says.
I have my first Charge Conference coming up this fall as well, so I feel your pain and appreciate your insights.
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