tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post6504929727058772621..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Ask the Matriarch — The Better Part of ValorStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-25470273699818128262007-02-02T08:53:00.000-05:002007-02-02T08:53:00.000-05:00Our denomination uses a neutral pulpit. The Preby...Our denomination uses a neutral pulpit. The Prebytery on the calling end arranges it, but the job left up to the pastor is to figure out a good enough story for why she is gone from her own church that Sunday.<br /><br />I'm hoping that when this becomes an issue for me, my Parish Associate is still around and willing to step in for me on short notice. I feel as if I could be honest with him about it, and that he would keep his mouth shut.Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18324456402703897094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-51853823287228538082007-02-02T07:16:00.000-05:002007-02-02T07:16:00.000-05:00I've been through this recently. The UCC ministeri...I've been through this recently. The UCC ministerial profile includes 7-8 written references and 3 names given as phone references. I wish we were required to keep these up-to-date, because that would lessen the anxiety of asking for them when you want them. <br />I used 3 church members, three colleagues, and one layperson/friend who has known me in other settings but also ran a program at my church, so we've had a variety of interactions. One church member I asked was clearly upset, and never sent the reference in, which was odd. Another was fine with it until I told her there might be a phone call; then she became upset. Even a person who sees that the time is right for moving on may begin to take it "personally" when it's really going to happen.<br />I've been both the visitor and the visited, and it really depends on the setting how you might want to handle things. In a larger church, the chances are no one will even ask! But if you are the solo pastor in a smaller church, anxiety can arise simply from a phone call asking for directions to get there. When two couples from my Interim church showed up at Small Church two weeks in a row, the first couple drew little notice, but the second raised eyebrows. They just looked different enough from our people to be a curiosity. <br />Last advice: don't invite them to sign the guest book!<br />Don't your denominations use a neutral pulpit? And if so, how do you arrange for it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235049965406944684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-46804635713887577282007-02-02T01:38:00.000-05:002007-02-02T01:38:00.000-05:00Great that you advised suggesting that the visitin...Great that you advised suggesting that the visiting team do not sit all together and discuss in the local diner :) <br /><br />What really hit home to me was that as the one under investigation it IS ok to ask the team some very direct questions (e.g. how they will answer if asked who they are and why they are visiting the church) <br /><br />maybe things are done a bit differently in Europe but I wouldn't even have thought to ask !!!seethroughfaithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041055467020894063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-53852473061926439372007-02-01T18:30:00.000-05:002007-02-01T18:30:00.000-05:00In our denomination (ELCA), we're expected to keep...In our denomination (ELCA), we're expected to keep our "mobility forms" current, even if we're not looking for a call. In other words, we need to review them every year or so, and that includes listing references. I have asked some parishoners to serve as references and told them that it is simply part of keeping my paperwork current (which is true). Whenever I am ready to leave, I will need to let them know that they might be getting a phone call. But for now, I can use the "oh, that synod paperwork is just a mandatory thing" excuse.Shalomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089748396867624769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-57384601989417247512007-02-01T17:48:00.000-05:002007-02-01T17:48:00.000-05:00I was in a search once where I had to use a parish...I was in a search once where I had to use a parishioner for a reference. Luckily, and thankfully, the one I chose was so discrete he didn't even tell his wife. It is tricky to have members of the congregation be a reference for you. On the one hand search committees really want to know how the existing congregation experiences the pastor, priest, minister. On the other, it always raises some anxiety.<br /><br />Good points about the search committee site visit too...Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15667178624061122421noreply@blogger.com