As a voice of full support and recognition
for the role of Licensed Local Pastor I offer the following points:
I very much appreciate that there are
Elders, Deacons, lay people and Local Pastors who take the time out of their
very busy personal and ministerial lives to check in with me to see that I am
progressing well and that “things are well with my soul”. Yes, it is a Book of
Discipline requirement. But it is not required of these folk to participate. Those
that do participate do so in response to a call to faithfulness. And yes,
perhaps a call from their Conference Superintendent.
I applaud my Indiana North
District Committee on Ministry for their diligence, effort, and care each year.
It is meaningful to me personally that I have the opportunity to meet with
people who have much experience on congregational dynamics and education in
ecclesiastical matters regarding ministry.
Many churches,
nondenominational and otherwise, do not make available to pastors this type of
“check in” and support.
Thank you, all members of
such committees for your time and care.
Another point of
appreciation is that the required and suggested questions to be asked of Local
Pastors at these annual meetings work well to help me build and develop my
ministry within my appointment.
As I know that I will be
asked these questions, I use them through the year to give guidance and
structure to my personal development (continuing education, sabbath/rest) and
my church ministry (new programs, creative outreach efforts).
Without such guiding
questions, and check in, a pastor may feel alone in trying to figure out “Now
what do I do? How can I be fruitful?”
Without such
accountability a pastor could wind up going adrift in doctrine and theology
until it no longer resembles Methodism.
Again, thank you,
district Committee on Ministry for your attention.
Yet another point of
appreciation for the role of Local Licensed Pastor is that the role is designed,
particularly due its accountability, such that Elders and Deacons and others
have high respect for the role and personal trust in the clergy of that status.
At least that is what I have always
experienced.
I find it affirming and
reassuring that I have the approval of the District Committee, the concurring
approval of the Annual Conference Clergy session, and my appointment by my
Conference Superintendent,
I personally value this
role highly.
In conclusion, I applaud
the District Committees for their work.
