I Gave Up the Church I Dreamed Of... And Yet..

2012 was a year of incredible pain & growth for me.  It was the year I lost my faith, I lost my church, and I lost my way.  It was also toward the end of the year that I rededicated myself to finding all of those things.  And ya'll.  It is a journey!  Sometimes a painful & heartbreaking journey and sometimes one that is full of joy and wonder and amazement.  I wouldn't trade this journey for anything.  Even though it is marked with significant heartbreak....

I attended General Conference in 2012.  General Conference is the gathering of United Methodists from around the world that makes our church law.  It's where we determine who we are and where we're going for the future.  Nothing could prepare me for what I experienced there.  Our delegation prepared well for legislation and what conversations would happen.  I talked with people who had been who tried to warn and advise.  And yet there was still nothing that could have prepared me for what I would experience.  

It was because of General Conference 2012, I lost my church.  Well, that's slightly dramatic... I lost the church that I had dreamed of.  I watched people I deeply respected act in ways that were embarrassing and hurtful. I watched as dear friends and colleagues were deeply hurt by votes and conversations.  And I watched as everything sort of exploded in the end and we wondered what all had happened.  

I know that my heart & soul were tender because of what had already unfolded in the year.  I had a minimal belief in God, and yet still clung to the church.  Or at least what I saw the church as.  And General Conference seemed to reveal something different.  It revealed an ugliness that I had pretended didn't really exist and I was confronted with it head on.  

In my journey of rediscovery of faith, church, and just life, I gave up the church that I had dreamed of.  I had believed that if I dreamed hard enough, it would just be true.  It was a delusion that I convinced myself of.  It was painful to recognize that. And yet...

It also forced me to accept the Church as she is.  Flawed and fragile.  Fearful and trying to be Faithful.  Lost and Found.  Being Perfected and yet so Far.  And for me these realizations made the church so much more beautiful and incredible.  

These realizations made me welcome the church as it is & understand how we all got to where we are.  And yet, it also didn't make my dreams for what the church could be disappear.  I can accept the church for who she is and still work on the church that I dream of. 

I have waffled during this General Conference how much I actually care.  I have quipped that I give 0 f**ks and that I give all the f**ks.  And that I hold to the idea that "All will be well." All of these things are true at the same time.  

As things have been unfolding and hopes and fears have been confirmed or destroyed this year at General Conference.  (And we're not done... there is more to come!).  I continue to accept the Church as she is.  Flawed and Fragile.  Fearful and trying to be Faithful.  Lost and Found.  Being Perfected and yet so Far.  And I recommit myself over and over again to continue to build the church that I dream of.  A church where all are welcomed and helped to find who they are as people of sacred worth.  A church where people are challenged to do what others say can't be done.  A church where people are committed to making the world a better place here and now and for the future.  A church where failure is welcomed and celebrated as we experiment and live into our calling the best ways we understand it.  A church that is playful and full of wonder and amazement.  A church where the Divine surprises us and challenges us and comforts us as we do that same for one another.  

Whatever happens at General Conference, I am still committed to building the church that I dream of and I'm grateful for the heartbreak that drew me to this place. 

The Miraculous Potluck

Faith: Genoa Newsletter

Dear Friends,

                I am excited to be joining Faith: Genoa on our journey together!  I’m excited to hear the places that you are passionate & wanting to serve…The hopes & dreams that you have for the church…The stories & memories of the congregation… I want to hear it all!  Feel free to drop by my office or set up a time to come & chat! 

                As we settle in together, we’ll be adjusting to one another.  As I’ll be commuting still from Orland Park this month, my office hours will be slightly irregular, but I will be available for conversations, visits, meetings, etc… and I’ll be available by phone & email when I’m not physically present.  As we settle in together, there maybe things that I don’t know or have forgotten.  Please know that it’s nothing personal & I’ll welcome your feedback & suggestions.  There will be changes that happen, intentionally & unintentionally, so I hope that you’ll feel free to share your thoughts, hopes, fears, and concerns with me directly.  My door, heart, & mind are always open! (Kind of like the United Methodist Church!). 

                Another way for us to connect is through social media—feel free to friend me on Facebook!  (facebook.com/mmeyers815).  I often ask questions for sermons there & have thoughts in general that I share… If you’re not on facebook, that’s ok!  We’ll still connect!  (If you want to learn how to use facebook, I’ll be happy to teach you too!).  

                I’ll be asking a lot of questions for the next few months…Everything from where is the best place to grocery shop to what local café/restaurant is the best to what do you want to hear a sermon about & everything in between!  I’ll welcome questions as well, so feel free to ask me about who I am, where I come from, & what my passions are! 

                I can’t wait to see where this adventure leads us together… I know that God has been working here in Genoa & that ya’ll have already been doing great work!  I’m excited for us to join this journey together. 

                                                                Blessings,
                                                                ~Pastor Melissa
                                                                 email: mmeyers815@gmail.com

Office Hours: (Regular office hours/schedule will begin July 29)

July 10-12
10am-6pm

July 15-17
10am-6pm

July 22-23
10am-6pm

Appointment Announcement

Dear Friends,

                For the last few years Faith United Methodist Church has been on a journey to follow our call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  That call has led to decisions of sacrifice, merger, moving, votes, studies, worship in a movie theater…among other steps.  Some of you have been on this journey from the beginning; others may have joined this journey today!  I began this journey with you 3 years ago…It is with a mixture of emotions that I announce to you this morning that beginning July 1^st, I have accepted an appointment at Faith United Methodist Church of Genoa, IL.  This new appointment leads me on a new journey as the lead pastor of a church in a growing community ready to begin their new journey as they seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 

                Please know that this decision was not made without much prayer & discernment…It has been my joy & privilege to serve here for the last 3 years and I am excited to see where your journey will take you! I have been blessed to serve as your pastor…Probably more than you know (and maybe even more than I know.)…

                Our District Superintendent will be in contact with our Staff Parish Relations Committee Chairperson soon to work in the transition with your new pastor. 

                While our journey together is quickly coming to an end, as my last Sunday will be June 30^th, we still have some work to do together. My prayers will always be with you for your continued growth and dedication to the mission of the church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We are forever connected by the God who creates, loves, redeems, and blesses.

                                                                Blessings,

                                                                ~Pastor Melissa

Grassroots or Top Down?

I'm still trying to piece together what I experienced at General Conference...I'm still running it around and around in my head...Oh, I know the events (or kind of) of the days spent together & I can look up/go back to the legislation.  And I still have my opinions on what should have happened in the places where I'm less than thrilled with decisions...

Here's where I go back & forth....What does General Conference do?  Now, from a polity perspective I know.  And I will continue to argue that those of us who are United Methodists need to know what's going on & need to pay attention...Truthfully, especially clergy, I feel if you're not paying attention, you're not really doing your job.  (See the Study on Ministry-- My reflection)

Here's what I'm struggling with... Does General Conference matter?

On the one hand, I argue, without a doubt.  Where else can a group of people come together to wrestle with issues that do, indeed affect the whole church?  Where else can United Methodists come together to share what we're doing in the world?  It's a pretty incredible thing!  Plus, the decisions that are made, do indeed, affect the church.  The decisions made about sexuality means that we remain a church that is not inclusive...The decisions on restructure mean that people will lose their jobs & ministry will be affected...These decisions do matter & they do affect us.  We're not a congregational church.  We are a connectional church.  General Conference is one of the ways that we are connectional.

On the other hand...I wonder?  Many of the decisions made were still top down... How much of what happened at General Conference changes how I do ministry in my local context?  Truthfully, General Conference changed me.  So, yes, it changes how I do ministry...But, do the decisions made change how I do ministry?  I'm not 100% convinced... (I'm also not convinced that it doesn't...)

My theory on what needs to happen post-General Conference?  Work on planting churches that are progressive.  That are fully inclusive...For those congregations that are struggling...Help them find resurrection...For those who are lost...Help them be found?  For those who are hurt...Help them find healing.  THIS is our job.  THIS is our mission.

Why I Am Opposed to Restructure

Before General Conference began, I had posted a million and a half things on Facebook about the restructure plans... Mostly coming from Jeremy Smith over at Hacking Christianity. So, let me be clear....I have been opposed to all of the restructuring plans from the beginning.  I haven't thought any of the proposals were helpful.  Some were less terrible than others...But overall, I didn't find any of them reflective of what call to action is actually about.

Here are my main concerns with the plans & with how things have happened.

--Streamlining is the buzzword with all of the plans...streamlining to become more effective.  I don't think that's helpful.  I think in streamlining, we lump several things together that seem & sound similar and are not...In lumping things together, it creates areas where someone who doesn't really know what they're doing, trying to, well, do it.  Or that groups/individuals/agencies/etc... will be so overwhelmed that they can't get anything done.  For me, it's preposterous to put organizations like the Commission on the Status & Role of Women (COSROW) & the General Commission on Religion & Race (GCORR) together... Racism & sexism are 2 different things and if we assume that one committee on inclusivity can tackle all of the challenges, help us to be mindful, be prophetic, and seek for us to be an inclusive church all over the world?  I just don't see that happening.  Is it all of our responsibility to do that? ABSOLUTELY!  But as I've seen & heard conversations just here at General Conference, we have much work to be done.  Much work. 


Personally, I've seen this played in my own ministry... I'm the associate pastor where my responsibilities have been children, youth, & young adults...in addition to many other things as well (preaching, teaching, evangelism, administration...you know the drill.) Because my attention is pulled in one area, I am not able to be effective in another.  It happens.

I'm far more comfortable with having experts in their field do what they do best & not asking people to do any less.

--Vital Congregation... Also another buzz word (or at least it feels like it's just been reduced to another buzz word).  I don't understand how shrinking/eliminating our General Agencies will create vital congregations.  I just can't see it.  Many of our local churches don't know who the General Agencies are or what they do.  This is already a problem!  But how will shrinking these general agencies make vital congregations?  It seems to me as though it won't.

--Representation...Many of the presented plans have been struggling with representation...Who gets a seat at the table.  I think all have failed.  (Although, I will admit that the MFSA plan seemed to be the most inclusive).  It is important to have as many voices at the table as need to be.  Cutting out voices of young people, people of color, women, is not ok for the sake of streamlining.  These voices NEED to be heard.  They NEED to have a way to be heard.  They NEED to be empowered.  Don't cut them out because it means more people...

--How things have happened...  I have watched the legislative & parliamentary wizardry that has happened at General Conference (on both sides & on many issues).  One thing that Call to Action raised...We don't trust each other.  I would posit that we also don't trust God.  For me, sitting in on the General Administration committee & seeing how all of the votes happened...That was a nudge from the Holy Spirit-- we're not ready.  Why then, are we still pushing this?  I have seen agendas and egos and abuse of power that has been so off putting and damaging to our church.  It's quite sad really.  I have lost a lot (if not all) respect for several people who have been a part of these conversations and have seemingly pushed their own agendas.  It seems like a lot of the work on these plans were done in secret, behind closed doors with no transparency.


___

What would I propose?  Well, I'm glad you asked!

Let's wait until next General Conference.  Study this.  Think through.  Invite a number of people to the table to think through.  Be open.  Be honest.

I'm not opposed to change.  I know that we need it in the UMC and with our structure.  I'm not arguing that in the slightest.  We cannot financially continue to function the way that we have forever.  But...Let's be smart about this.  Let's not take a hatchet to structures when we need a smaller knife...

Let's see how we can do this together with the work of the Spirit.  Because God is guiding us...And God will continue to work with or without the United Methodist Church.  But, I think we should be there working with God rather than keeping God out of the conversation.

Twitter Conference of the UMC #gc2012

I am a first time attender of General Conference...I mean you can't include me sitting at home, watching streaming last year, can you?  I am fascinated by what's happening here.  As people have asked me about my experience, I've truly been able to say that it's everything I expected... on steroids.  And I've seen the worst of the church & the best of the church.  I have been discouraged & disappointed and hopeful & encouraged.  When I leave, I'm not sure how I leave... That has yet to be determined to be sure.

One of the incredible conversations happening has been the role of Twitter & Social Media on General Conference.  There have been been all kinds of opinions expressed-- positive & negative...There have been concerns raised that make sense and some raised without understanding how Twitter/social media work.  Truthfully, I have seen people posting not understanding how social media works as well...

So, I have some thoughts on this...

Social media is the way younger generations connect and communicate and it's confusing to some people.  The truth about Twitter and any form of social media is that it's about enhancing relationships.  It's not just about putting stuff out there (although that's somewhat true too...) It's frustrating to tweet someone & not get a response (even though that may happen by me as well-- sorry!  I'm trying!) If a question is asked, it's not always a rhetorical question, but an invitation for conversation.

There are also opportunities for live tweeting or simply sharing information about what's happening.  Those who are unable to be here and are interested in what's happening-- this is their way to stay connected.  Honestly, for me-- it's refreshing & encouraging to see so many people interested in what's happening at General Conference and not just in "pet issues"  but in everything.  I appreciate this spirit of connectionalism to the very core of my being.

There have already been several posts/conversations about the snark/tone of comments on twitter.  Jay Vorhees posted a really helpful post on this conversation.  I would affirm what he has already written.  There is snark on Twitter... Snark is a fluent language spoken among younger generations. Haven't you seen some of the meme's?  (see: Condescending Wonka, Success Kid, First World Problems, or any other number of others).  But it's snark out of a desire to be authentic and not (always) to be hurtful.  It's also a snark out of wanting voices to be heard and feeling not heard...

Which raises voices being heard...Whose voices are being heard & whose are not.  Bishops don't have voice in General Conference...but they can tweet!  Which does give them a voice.  There does seem to be theological diversity among tweeters and differences of opinion... But, there is little diversity of voices from outside the United States.  The Twitter Annual Conference does seem to be primarily (almost exclusively?) from the United States...

Some (including myself) wonder about the long term effects of social media, and especially twitter on General Conference.  The truth is, in 4 years, there will probably be something else-- There's always a new thing around the corner.  But the Internet & desire to connect will not be going away at all...It will only increase.  So, it is a voice to pay attention to.  Especially if we as a denomination & as a church want to reach younger people.  This is the language we speak...This is the way we communicate...And this is one of the ways we structure ourselves.

I feel a rant coming on...

I am a Metho-nerd... I'll admit it.  I love the United Methodist Church.  I grew up in this denomination...I was nurtured (mostly) in this denomination.  I have some strong connections here...I have a vested interest in the future of the church.

I'm not going to lie, once I was aware of General Conference (which wasn't until seminary), I followed to see what was happening.  Because I felt that I was ignorant of our polity at one time, I got angry with people who said it didn't matter.  It does.  Because we are connectional.  General Conference matters because even though it may not affect a local church immediately, it will...Eventually it will.

This year, I'm a part of our conference's delegation, so I've been following legislation with a different perspective.  Previously, I focused on issues that I was passionate/excited about and caught up on the other issues later.  Now, it seems as though they all matter...I'm not sure if legislation has changed or if I've changed.  I'm sure it's a little bit of both!

Can we talk for just a minute about how concerned I am with some of this legislation?  I know that the church is not immune from politics and it surely comes out in full force during something like General Conference.  But to see some of the obvious and intentional manipulation is becoming infuriating.  And to see/hear people buying into it...Even more so.

I'm concerned and trying to remain non-anxious in the midst of all the anxiety... But it seems to me that we are trying to make entirely too many decisions because we're running scared.  One of the responses that I most often get from God is, "Don't make decisions based out of fear."  And I feel like that's what we're trying to do...And one doesn't make the best decisions when one is anxious.  We're scared because we don't have enough money...We're scared because we're going to run out of clergy...We're scared because our influence is going away...We'r scared because our power is going to be taken away...We're just plain scared.

I woke up to an email this morning endorsing legislation that I'm opposed to...And the reasoning seemed reasonable (imagine that.)...But when I couple it with additional information & facts & opinions... I got so angry and lost a lot of respect for the person sending out the letter.

After ranting about it...and feeling a little bit better (but not much)... I've stopped to see just what happens when we lose our Holy Conferencing because of politicking.  It's gross.  We all have our camps and issues that we support...And the places we want to see protected (and that we would rather see eliminated).  But when we stop listening to one another and simply try and garner support it becomes something different than what I see as Holy Conferencing.  It's no longer an opportunity to share together and come to some kind of central meeting place...

I don't think it's a bad thing to share opinions & concerns or even where we find legislation to be hitting a home run and where we are moving swiftly toward perfection.  And maybe I'm naive (I wouldn't argue!), but I think that we could do this better.

Don't worry...I might still rant about some legislation later.

Passion & Possibility

So...When did you know?  Whenever I meet someone for the 1st time & I tell them that I'm a pastor.  Then, I always get the comments about my age or being young...As a young adult in ministry, it's easy to feel like the only one...Although I had some younger pastors growing up, I never thought it was possible to be young & be a pastor.  I think that's part of the reason that I wanted to be a youth director & not a pastor.

Enter a helpful associate pastor & an invitation to Exploration 2000...Exploration is a United Methodist discernment event for young people to hear their call into ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church.

I went to Exploration 2000 in Dallas, TX...I pretty much knew what my call was, but I wasn't sure that I could actually answer it yet...I honestly don't know how I got to Exploration-- I remember it being my 2nd plane ride ever and going with a former pastor of mine...And I'm not sure that I totally remember any of the speakers from the event...Although I looked at a list recently & they were really good-- people that I read now and think are amazing!

What I remember was looking around the room & not feeling alone...I remember sitting in my small group and not feeling crazy...I remember being a part of worship & feeling the presence of God in new ways...I remember talking to people at the seminary tables & feeling slightly overwhelmed, but very excited... I remember leaving thinking that I actually could answer the call that God had whispered.

As Exploration 2011 nears and young people are registering & speakers are preparing & the design team is working hard, my prayers & thoughts join with all who are blogging & praying today (and everyday of course!) for the event...I continue to pray for those who are hearing the whisper of God & think they're too young or they might be a little crazy or they feel alone.  Trust me, you're not.  If you need to have a large confirmation of that, attend Exploration.

Blessings 4/6/11

1.) A good workout (even though it was way too long of a break!)
2.) Cats who make me laugh
3.) Good conversation with Chad
4.) Getting my desk kind of cleaned off
5.) Putting weddings in my calendar
6.) Laughter
7.) Remembering garbage day!
8.) Tweeting about the UMC Leadership Summit
9.) Random phone calls
10.) $2 subs!

Faith United Methodist Church of Orland Park Worship Leader

Faith United Methodist Church of Orland Park is seeking a worship leader-- Someone who will join our music team & lead worship once a week on Sunday mornings. They will be someone who can recruit band members, lead & organize teams that include volunteers, and have strong organizational skills.




Qualified applicants of all ages & racial/ethnic groups are welcomed & encouraged to apply!



Faith UMC is a dynamic, growing faith community born from a merger in 2008. We moved out of old buildings, changed names, worshipped in a movie theater. In 2010, we moved into a new home at the corner of 151st & 80th Ave in Orland Park. We are a family that loves God, loves people, and works to change the world.



Basic Responsibilities: (12-15 hours/week):



1.) Recruit & coordinate volunteer musicians for our non-traditional service



2.) Choosing, preparing, rehearsing, & leading music



3.) Coordinate with related worship teams (A/V, Publicity, Scheduling)



The ideal candidate will lead with vocals & instrument (guitar, keyboard) with a modern/contemporary/Top 40 musical range.



Interested? Know someone who might be? Contact Pastor Melissa Meyers at pastormelissa@faithumcop.org with a resume including musical experience & style, 3 references, & samples of your music.

Move out of the crisis

I've heard a few presentations on what different committees are supposed to do...I've read the Book of Discipline about the tasks of committees...I've been/am the administrating officer overseeing these committees.  The one that constantly intrigues me is the conversation around the Staff-Pastor Parish Committee. 

The Staff-Pastor Parish Committee is the committee in the United Methodist Church that serves as the bridge between the congregation & staff.  They serve in human relations roles as well as conflict managers.  Oftentimes, managing conflict seems to take up the majority of their attention. 

The presentations that I've heard about the SPRC have all been really helpful...Solid information and good directions in the Book of Discipline & just some sensible advice.  However...Most of the time is spent in talking about conflict management/resolution.  This isn't super surprising if this is the area that an SPRC spends the majority of their time. 

So...How do we change that dynamic?  How do we move the SPRC from being the people that everyone dreads to hear from or the committee that just deals with problems...Into one that supports the ministries and vision of the staff & congregation? 

Does your SPRC spend most of the time telling the pastor or staff what they do wrong or don't do well?  Or do they ask how they can better support their pastor or staff? Every person should want honest feedback & would want to do a better job and wants to hear the truth spoken in love.  So, how do we speak the truth in love & hold one another accountable? 

I'm in a new appointment with a new SPRC, so everything is still adjusting and getting used to each other...But I do find them supportive and interested in supporting the ministry & vision of the church.  I appreciate their questions and feedback that they have given thus far.  This post is not a passive-aggressive attempt to shame them into doing something more or to flatter them as though they are amazing (although, they are pretty fabulous.), but simply something that I've noticed about presentations & perceptions from United Methodist people about the SPRC in various congregations-- some that I've been a part of & some that I've just heard about. 

What has been your experience with the SPRC? 

The Right Leadership

The big topic of conversation in the United Methodist Church is around guaranteed appointments. For those who are non-UMC, as an ordained elder in the UMC, one is guaranteed an appointment (job) for life. Because we are also itinerate, meaning we move around with some frequency and are appointed to appointments (whether churches or extension ministries), part of the argument is that if we move around as frequent as we do, we should be guaranteed employment. (I know that there is more to the argument than that)

So, here's where I fall on this...I don't know. Many days, I completely agree and think that no one really has a guaranteed job, so why should clergy...Many other days, I don't agree and think that you can't quantify the job of a clergy person because dealing with the Sacred always involves a degree of fluidity. Every time this question gets asked, I wonder about ineffective churches...Every denomination has them-- those churches that are known as clergy killers. Or maybe they're not a clergy killer church, but they're a church that is content to die or chooses (either actively or passively) to coast along and decline.

When a church (finally) died, someone said, "It's too bad...If they would have just had the right leadership, they would have thrived." And at first I agreed....But then, I thought-- "How long had they been waiting for the right leadership?" In their more than 100 years of existence and ministry, how long had they not had the right leadership? Was it because they weren't ever appointed the right person or did they reject "the right kind of leadership."

I've heard from many church planters and mega church pastors who have talked about their experiences in churches and many who have said, "I don't know if I could do this again." Does that mean that they're ineffective because lightning might not strike twice? Or is it a matter of working in and with the Sacred?

I don't mean that the Sacred has left some of the smaller/dying/dead churches...I think that there is possibility for sure. Does it take the right leadership? Yes...It takes the right person in the right place at the right time. One might be an effective leader, but not there or then....And there are some people who are the greasers-- who prime the place for the right person.

Proving to be the right person in a place or time that is not ready for it can lead to burn out, workaholism, and bitterness. And isn't that something that we're trying to avoid happening to clergy?

All of that to say also...there are ineffective clergy-- there are people who shouldn't be pastors. There are people who shouldn't be teachers and are...There are people who shouldn't be police officers and are...There are people who shouldn't be parents and are...

We do have a process in the United Methodist Church to remove ineffective clergy...But we don't use it...And we don't trust one another to hold each other accountable. Maybe that's what we should focus on...Building trust within the clergy brother & sisterhood...

University Senate Statement

Earlier today, my facebook inbox & email was flooded (okay, over-exaggeration...) with the recent statement from the president of United Theological Seminary in reply to the recent University Senate report.



Now, here's what I understand (and has been explained to me) about the University Senate...Please feel free to clarify & correct any inaccuracies or misinformation! The University Senate is the body of the United Methodist Church who maintains accreditation of schools affiliated and approved by the UMC. They are a group who is put together in a variety of ways-- appointed by the council of bishops, larger accrediting organizations, elected by General Conference and some of the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry staff sits on the committee. As best as I can tell, all members are supposed to be connected with/employed by institutions of higher education. The University Senate oversees not only the UM standards or criteria of the institutions, but also their business practices, church relationships, and institutional integrity.



It was clarified to me that the University Senate is not the same thing as the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, but that they relate to one another. It appears that the University Senate makes decisions that then GBHEM carries out.



As I have already indicated that I am not completely clear on what the University Senate is or what exactly they do...I am also going to admit that all I know of this situation between UTS & the University Senate comes from these two statements and hearsay from various sources--some on UTS campus, some from other places, and some admittedly gossip. All of these have helped to shape how I currently view the situation.



In reading the University Senate statement, it appears to be pretty clear that UTS has not accomplished all that they have been required and have not provided adequate information or access to information especially around financial issues. UTS responds otherwise and indicates that they have indeed complied and that independent consultants disagree with the University Senate's findings.

One of the other claims that the UTS statement makes is that this was a calculated, political statement to damage the reputation of the school and goes back to the Methodist/EUB merger when UTS was encouraged to close. Now, I am very familiar with this story and it's one that I have surely told (both when I was a student and when I graduated). But I have to admit that at some point, this story gets old...I don't mean that in a cold, careless way...But it has seemed whenever the denomination makes a decision unfavorably toward UTS, the UMC is trying to close UTS again. To be fair, I hear that from many former EUB folk too...Now, I respect both the Methodist & EUB traditions, but I have never known a church other than the UMC. At some point, you have to realize that we're not going back to the way things were.

Maybe it's a Pollyanna/naive look to think that this is not a political statement, because I surely know that those exist in the church! But this seems to be a case of information not being delivered in the appropriate time and the consequences that follow. But again, this comes from me simply reading the statements and not being present for any of the decisions or being present in either place. I am sure that I would have a different perspective otherwise.

I am proud of the education that I received from UTS and know that it was absolutely the right place for me to be at the time. I look back on my time fondly and with the relationships that remain, I am truly grateful. So, I do not look at this with "evil eyes" or as though I don't care about UTS.

A question that remains for me in relation to both the UTS & Claremont situations...Although neither school is near this at this point!!!! How do institutions like schools/seminaries/universities/hospitals/children's homes/etc... fall under the trust clause? For example: If Claremont should decide to no longer be a United Methodist school, do they get to keep their property, or does it become the property of the UMC to do something with? or if the University Senate permanently pulls UM accreditation, does the school close?

I also don't share my thoughts as a closed book and that I don't want to learn anymore or be willing to be changed. My prayers continue to be with UTS & the UMC during this time.

Exploration 2009

Registration for Exploration closes on Sept. 30 and there are still 74 unclaimed full registration scholarships. If you are 18-24 and seeking to explore a calling into ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church or you know someone who is...This is the event for you! In addition to the full registration scholarship, many Annual Conference provide support for travel as well. Hope to see you there!

Call & Response

Beginning in 8th grade, I started teaching Sunday school and while the first year I fought it a little bit harder, I loved teaching. I was one of the weird ones too who really enjoyed confirmation. Church was important for me until I turned 16 and then it became more important for me to get a job and have a car. I was marginally connected to church, but let's be honest...if I said I was half there, that was generous.

My senior year in high school a new associate pastor was appointed to our church and I hadn't met him until Lent...At a church supper in Lent, Travis Bonnette-Kim told me that I was going on the mission trip that summer. Of course my response was, "NO!" with a few other phrases thrown in there...So...I went on the mission trip that summer....

Kneeling at the communion rail at the end of the trip was when I heard God say to me, "You are my child and I have called you to be my servant. Go and do my work and I will be with you always." At that moment, I told God that was great, but I already had a plan in mind and God was just going to have to figure out how God fit into that!

I started college with the intent to double major in music & education...not even halfway through my 1st semester, I discovered that I hated music theory, which is a problem if one wants to major in music! The place where I felt the most at home was working with the youth group on Sunday nights.

So, I went to Travis again and told him that I thought I was going to go into youth ministry...He started to give me all kinds of information on seminary and ordination, and throwing all kinds of information at me when I told him, "I want to be a youth director, not a pastor." and of course he just said, "Okay, come and talk to me when you're ready."

A few weeks later, I can't tell you who was preaching in worship, what was happening in the worship service or anything about the day at all...I just remember being in worship and hearing God say to me, "That's what I've called you to do."

I would love to say that after that things were simple and I followed whole heartedly...but that's just not true. I argued with God quite a bit and fought my call even when it seemed like I was being faithful. The response to the question, "why do you want to be a pastor?" for me really is..."I don't want to...God wants me to!"

One of the things that Travis had told me when I was wrestling with all of these things was, "It is okay to question, when you stop questioning that's when you have problems." Which has been extremely helpful for me both in wrestling with my call and with issues of faith.

I am extremely grateful for the women clergy that I have had in my life. Sandra Bonnette-Kim offered many resources when I was confronted with the question "can women be pastors" and I had not had to answer that question before. Joy Starwalt provided practical advice when I called about doing weddings & funerals & how to preach...Marian Adell was the 1st pastor that I worked under and I can't tell you how much I learned from her in just the year that we were together--I only wish that we could have worked together longer so that I could learn more from her.

Theologically, I have been grateful for those who have challenged and pushed me...Andrew Sung Park helped me to understand that it is okay to be a mystic and accept that part of my spirituality...Dick Eslinger helped me to find my voice in preaching...Larry Welborne opened up Paul to me in a way that I never thought was possible!

Working with the United Methodist Church especially on the general church level has given more opportunities than I think I am even aware of...The network that I have made with people around the connection is unbelievable! The access that we have to resources among members of the UMC are amazing! I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful church.

It doesn't mean that I don't still question or doubt or disagree with the church, with other Christians, or with God...I do and I'm sure that I will continue to do so throughout my life. But I don't live in those places and while they are deeply a part of who I am as a pastor and as a Christian and as a United Methodist, they are not where I place my faith, hope and trust.

I am hoping that next year I will be ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church and continue to serve God in the way that God called me..."You are my child and I have called you to be my servant. Go and do my work and I will be with you always."

Exploration 2009

Exploration 2009

This is where I am...

School for Congregational Development: Rally Night!

COME PACK THE PEWS
ON RALLY NIGHT

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009 7:00 P.M.

FIRST UMC
516 CHURCH ST., EVANSTON, IL 60201

REV. MIKE SLAUGHTER
will speak on

MOBILIZING MISSIONAL
SIGNIFICANCE

Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg and the spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations. His life-long passion to reach the lost and set the oppressed free has now made him a tireless and leading advocate for the children, women and men of Darfur, Sudan, named by the U.N. as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Mike's call to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted will challenge attendees to wrestle with God and their God-destinies.

This event is part of the School of Congregational Development and is free. Call Candi to request childcare at 847-864-6181 by July 25.th. There is free Sunday public parking on Church St. lot across from the church.

Why I Am United Methodist

This question was brought up a few months ago by Jenny Smith...I've pondered it for awhile and to be quite honest, at first I thought...Well, I know why I am United Methodist, and I live it so that should be enough, right? I am still content with that to a certain extent, but recently my United Methodism was challenged...Not in that I am not behaving as a United Methodist, but maybe I'm too big for the UMC or that the UMC is holding me back from what I'm truly called to do. My response was a pretty visceral response and I am truly offended by this accusation/request. In some ways, I see being told that the UMC is holding me back says that a vital part of who I am and who I have understood myself to be as a child of God is no longer valid. Granted, I fully believe and hope that people will experience God outside of the United Methodist Church because it would be irresponsible to assume that the UMC is the "one true church" and all other churches are wrong...but, I am United Methodist for a reason and with that in mind, I know why I stay in the United Methodist Church as well. So, here are those reasons for you!

1.) The UMC is my home-- I was baptized, confirmed, nurtured (and continue to be nurtured) in the United Methodist Church. There were times when I was younger that my family tried another non-denominational church and we didn't stay, but I vividly remember leaving that church in tears because they had told me something I believed was wrong. I was also nurtured in some ways by the Assemblies of God church when I was in High School because my home church didn't have a strong youth group at the time. While I appreciate the fellowship that came from that time, I did not have a strong connection with the church or denomination. The UMC has provided a home not only in the practical, local church sense, but also in terms of theology. I appreciate our diversity and feel most at home in it.

2.) Connectionalism--I absolutely love knowing that the congregations that I serve are a part of a much larger church. We have resource beyond what most people even know. I have seen this on the general church scale and I so appreciate the work of the General Boards & Agencies who are able to do things that the local churches can't do alone. I love knowing that within the UMC there are people who I can contact to answer questions about liturgy, worship, polity, or doctrine and I will be pointed in the right direction. Why is UMCOR allowed in places of the world where the church is not yet? Because we as United Methodists support this ministry and empower them to go out to meet needs in the name of Jesus Christ.

3.) Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors-- Yes, I know that it has become cliche and there are places where it can be argued that this is not true. Also, the new rethink church is moving these from being adjectives into verbs...Both of which I affirm! It is exciting to be a part of a church who is dedicated to including all people and ensuring that all people know of God's love & grace. While there are certainly times that we fall short, nevertheless, we keep trying!

4.) Diversity--It is encouraging to me to be a part of a church with so much diversity. I'm not just talking about racial/ethnic, although I can't tell you how wonderful that is...Or not just gender, which is wonderful as well! But also theological diversity. Now, I know that this is most troubling to some people, but I love that we can be in conversation about what we believe and who we know God to be. When we know individuals as people, it becomes far more difficult to demonize them and easier to build bridges.

5.) Active--Church is not about sitting in the pews on Sunday morning and being done with it...Now, I know that there are many United Methodist Churches who function this way, but as a denomination, we don't. We work well beyond what happens on Sunday morning and truly work at doing church and being the Body of Christ at work in the world.

6.) Structure--Okay this one is a double edged sword because there are times that I think that the bureaucracy is not helpful in the slightest and is not conducive to ministry. However...There are parts of it that I do think are absolutely vital. I would much rather have a structure that I can learn how to work in than to feel as though there is no accountability or care to know what is happening and why.

7.) Mission-- Both in the mission of the church: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world...and the way that we live out that mission. The UMC is in places of the world where Christians are not yet allowed-- that is amazing to me to see how we are making disciples of Jesus Christ without compromising who we are and yet still meeting the needs of those who are in need.

8.) Theology--I would be remiss if I didn't mention the theology of the United Methodist Church. My personal theology may fit other places or I can trim it around to make it fit other places, but my theology fits the best within the United Methodist Church. The experience of grace, the grounding in Scripture, being able to reason through and leaning on tradition...It has profoundly affected the way I have come to know who God is.

9.) Loyalty--In a world and culture where many are quick to dismiss denominations or quick to move based on what happens in an individual church, I value loyalty. I meant what I said when I took my membership vows in confirmation...In our membership, it is both how we uphold those vows and how the church upholds their vows. There are times when we both fall short, but that doesn't mean that we leave one another to find some place else that will give me what I want when I want it.

10.) Because I am....It is who I am and to ask me to separate me from being United Methodist, I just don't know that it's possible...I am United Methodist through and through-- in polity, in practice, in doctrine, and in belief.