Privileging People over Process

A few days ago I posted about how the church can often be its own worst enemy when it comes to the ordination process.

Posts about ordination candidacy tend to generate a lot of response - both in terms of e-mails and reader comments. I've always seen that as an indication of the level of frustration people often experience in the process itself. Having received a call from God to enter ministry, it can be exasperating to navigate a bureaucratic maze that seems designed to frustrate more than facilitate.

As I wrote about in my last column, there is a momentum in the UMC at large to reform the structure of the ordination process. That's good news! Significant changes were made at the 2008 General Conference, and I expect there to be more in 2012.

But we need more than just structural reform. We need a reform of personal attitudes as well. I take up this subject in my current column, where I talk about the importance of personal concern and attention on the part of candidacy mentors, DCOMs, and BOMs. You could add to that list, of course, with seminary professors, pastors, district superintendents, and bishops.

I firmly believe that any complicated process is made easier with the right attitudes on the part of the people in authority. The church as a whole should be constantly aware of the vulnerable and often uncertain position that ordination candidates find themselves in. They need the love, care, and wisdom that mentor figures can provide. And with that, I think a lot of the deep frustration that they often experience can be avoided.

The trend in our culture is, on the whole, toward greater bureaucracy. As that happens, we tend to think processes can take over in systems where people used to be the integral parts. That may work for shopping online and self-check outs at the grocery store, but I don't think it will ever work in the body of Christ.

We are members, one of the other! And as we try to respond faithfully to the Holy Spirit's work in raising up shepherds, we need to make sure that we're personally involved to help, assist, and encourage.