Preachers' Meeting March 5th

This evening I attended a gathering of people at Bethel Methodist Church in Bridgetown (largest in the Bethel Circuit) that included the Presbyters (like UCC ordained clergy), Accredited Preachers (like UCC Lay Preachers) and individuals who are on "note" (have indicated an interest in preaching and leading worship and are being assessed as to their suitability) and those on "trial" (like UCC theological students). This gathering is an official "court" within the MCCA structure and was presided by the Superintendent of the Circuit who is also my Learning Supervisor - Rev. Paul Douglas-Walfall. I was greeted very warmly, asked to say an opening prayer (springing this on me in the moment - for those of you who remember my shyness over the years about extemporaneous prayer - you will commiserate with me on these surprises that greet me in many situations!)

The evening was very interesting especially for someone like me who sees issues of structure and governance as ways in which to empower people for their ministry or de-energize them. I therefore found it fascinating to hear the way in which Rev. Walfall described the conversation around the appraisal reports on those on "note" and "trial" as the process of "forming Prophets". Juxtaposing his role as the "shepherd" of this gathering as a whole, I was left with this vibrant image of "the shepherd who attends to those who form prophets." There is a richness in the concept, a tension that I suspect exists in the lived out reality and a structure that I found challenging to mediate the whole process. I hope that I can learn more about this as I sense the image is of great potential value in my understanding of my own system.

There were a few other issues that arose that created a need for a long conversation with Basil the next morning (he was in attendance). These issues pointed clearly to the need for checking assumptions before speaking - turns out that I assumed the meeting was a public forum because minutes were being taken within an official Court meeting - not so! Knowing that made it easier for me to identify the gathering more as a formal Education and Students Committee although broader in its mandate than my experience of our E&S Committees. That also made the hearing of detailed evaluations of the preacher on "note", including their dress and mannerisms a little easier for me to process.

The bonus from the night - I received feedback that although my prayer was unusual, it was powerful in that I gave thanks for the little things in life such as the touch of a hand. People encouraged me to speak with my voice even with the potential of making mistakes based on wrong assumptions. I've taken that encouragement to heart and have started to relax around worship service preparation and the style of prayers that I write. However, I've come to see a power in their different style so I will challenge myself with that on occasion as well.

It was a very insightful night with many ideas to contemplate. That night I went to bed reading the Minutes of the MCCA District Conference that was held in January 2007. I hope that I'm not the only one out there that finds such things valuable resources in beginning to sense the life of the larger faith community and its interplay with the local congregations!

till next time.... Blessings!