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We would like to take credit for the beautiful garden in this photo, but this charming view is from a public garden very close (about 50 minutes) from our home. For the next few blog entries we will prepare you for spring with more garden eye candy from this lovely place.
Sunday evening our TT meeting began with looking at the ordination of one of our own. He is currently head of our secondary church school in this area. We are being asked to support his ordination for this work. We were encouraged to give our input, both positive and negative, to this calling of ordination.
Just a week ago our transitional pastor gave us what he called his "one man show" about looking at what the scriptures say about women in church leadership. So now he thought it was time to try to come to a consensus on this issue. How far on the continuum of positions of leadership within our church body are we willing to have women be involved?
He noted his observation that since we have had a women in the associate pastorate our congregation has been at odds. After some comments from others he asked for direction to reach a consensus.
Three different positions on the continuum were suggested by various members. After more discussion, our transitional pastor announced that he was of the opinion that a consensus could not be reached at this time. No one refuted his conclusion.
We have more work to do at arriving at what our congregation would like and can accept as far as women in leadership. All of the spoken opinions thus far appear to be in support of women in one of the top three leadership positions...however, written opinions show that at least 20% of those responding reject women being used in the top three leadership positions: lead pastor, associate pastor, or congregation team leadership. The written reaction factor in this silent minority group limiting women in leadership includes the consideration for unity in our church. That means that they have responded using the desire for unity in their deliberation also.
On the other hand, at least 13% of those responding felt that they can only support the position of a women as lead pastor. And this again was factored with unity in mind. During our discussion it was obvious that this group was not shy in sharing their views. We were uncomfortable with some of the intimidating, forceful and intolerant language that was being used. Comments such as "beyond ignorant" in describing an opposing view are not helpful. It is also not good to question another's faithfulness or willingness to follow the Holy Spirit. This behavior appears to be effectively shutting down any real communication. Perhaps political correctness is effecting our deliberations. This thought was actually voiced in the meeting.
With at least 33% of those responding at these two extremes on the continuum our transitional pastor has his work cut out for him in trying to bring consensus to this issue.
The last thing we addressed in our meeting was to identify a name for our congregational personage. We also discussed other attributes of our congregation using descriptions as if we were a person. Our transitional pastor assured us that this exercise in describing our congregation is essential to our future work. Some of us don't see the value, but we are trusting that he must know what he is doing.
We have been very fortunate to have a great preacher in our transitional pastor. He speaks very clearly and when you are through listening you have no doubt as to what he has said. And we feel that what he has said is what we as a congregation often need to here. Some of his sermons are supportive of what we are going through in our transitional transparency meetings. He is preparing us for a new pastor very well.
It has been over ten years now since a triple tragedy effected our lives. A sister, mother and step mother were all taken in death within two weeks time back in 1997. The sister was suffering with pancreatic cancer, but the deaths of the mother and step mother were unexpected. At that time we were swirling in grief and still we felt God's presence and comfort in our trouble.
In her book Inside My Heart by Robin McGraw (yes, she's the wife of TV personality Dr. Phil) she shares how she managed when she had some similar experiences. If you can find the time we recommend reading this book. She is an excellent author and it's spiritual message will certainly uplift you.
At our last transitional transparency meeting we were asked to focus on women in church leadership.
Our transitional pastor tried to present both sides of this issue. First he presented Bible references that indicated that it would be wrong to have a woman in a leadership position in the church. Then he presented the other side by siting how that throughout the Bible there are instances of women in leadership roles.
After this was presented, there was a time for open mike. We were encouraged to share. More women than men shared. One comment was outright support for a woman pastor. One questioner asked if the Bible tells us how we should interpret the Bible itself?
After the open mike time, we were asked to place our position on the issue within a 1 to 10 continuum without considering church unity. The low numbers indicating that our understanding and interpretation of the Bible was weighted in support of women in leadership. The high numbers indicated a more strict interpretation of the Bible. Then we were asked to again place ourselves within the continuum by adding church unity into the mix to see if that may have changed our place.
The final question was if you felt that after this meeting we could move on or did we need additional Bible study and discussion about this issue.
We will be getting a report from our transitional pastor later. It will sure be interesting to see where this leads us.
At our last transitional transparency meeting we were asked to view our congregation as a person. This abstract idea was hard for some of us to comprehend. But we gave it a try anyway. We were asked to identify our congregation as a person in a number of ways such as: gender, health, looks, vocation, future, and other insights we may have observed that were not addressed. The total two hours were spent on this exercise, and we didn't finish looking at all the characteristics presented to us. Looks like we will continue with this at our next meeting.
Some of the responses were rather humorous. One comment was that we are "tired and need a nap." Another said we are a "person of simplicity, but not simple-minded." The best comment was that we are "like an octopus-a big belly from being a bit flabby and over-fed, but many arms for reaching out and helping others." But the most profound comment was, "We live in a house that needs a little paint and a fire in the fireplace. The foundation is still good."
After this meeting we had the thought that we felt like we had just spent two hours on a psychiatrist couch. Our transitional pastor wants to spend the next meeting completing the picture of who our congregation person is and where we go from here. Then, if time permits, begin looking at issues related to the pastoral search process.
After being married for going on 37 years things being to rub off on you. Some couples even begin to look like each other. They may develop the same mannerisms and patterns of speech. We have known couples who even start to sound alike when they laugh. While this could be dreadful, that is if ones bad habits and shortcomings are shared, it can also be very good.
Before we were married, during premarital counseling, we were asked what qualities we admired within each other. One of us is the kind of person that is not easily offended. The other is a doer and likes to get things done right. One is very methodical, rarely questioning routine things that come with life. The other enjoys finding the easiest method for doing a routine task. One of us likes to get to where we are going while traveling...the other says "enjoy the journey."
Do you see a pattern here? Though we each have our "druthers" we can compliment each other is several ways. One finds a calming influence from the other. The one that is good in a certain area can improve what might be lacking in the other. It is good to remember that while at times we can get on each others nerves, our lives together bear evidence of the richness of our relationship.
Lately each time we start up our computer we wonder what new sound might emerge. Yesterday we thought a little bird had taken up residence inside. Other times we think we could be on the runway hearing a jet taking off right before us. We are thankful that these disturbing noises only happen intermittently or not every time we start up the computer. However, we know that the inevitable day will come when we will need to purchase a new computer. Our resident computer expert thinks it could be the fan. Fan...what fan?
Then there is the disc drive. Just a few weeks ago the disc drawer began opening all on its own at random times. This was very spooky, as you can imagine, and so now it requires we have tape over the drawer opening. That seems to be working for now, but it appears that something will need to be done soon.
Our son had already recommended the new Apple computer...those little bitty space saving ones. It's also possible to get a pretty nice normal one from Dell for under $500. We are wondering about getting a notebook instead of a desk model. Guess it's time to start investigating into what's out there to be had.
We recall when having a PC was a luxury...funny how now it seems owning a PC is a necessity. Now that's something else to think about. Do we really need to have a computer? Today that's like asking if we need a phone. Sure you could get along without it, but would you want to?
We have two schools of thought about fixing what's broken. And this could also apply to replacing what's broken, as well as, deciding when something needs to be replaced instead of trying to fix it. One of us tends to put off fixing or replacing broken things. The other thinks nothing good can come of this attitude. If you know us, you might be able to guess who is who. But regardless, this has caused not a little ruckus at times in our home.
After the most recent experiences, involving a sump pump switch and a kitchen faucet, we have come to a conclusion that the best way to avoid this eternal fray about when, if, and how things should be handled when something is broken or replaced. Here's our new rule: the very day something breaks, it will be fixed or replaced if necessary. The only exceptions to this rule are if delays are unavoidable, such as the need to schedule repair persons...or the need to figure out where the money will come from...or the need to investigate a new purchase. No more putting off, forgetting about, or living in denial about the need to replace or repair what is broken.
So our purchase of a new computer has not quite become an item that falls under our new rule. It's not quite broken yet, but we are pretty sure it will need to be replaced in the near future. One of us is starting to shop around now (guess which one), because the likelihood of us fixing that noise and that problem with the disc drive is slim to none.
We have been reading lots of books this winter. As a matter of fact one of us is reading three at a time right now. The book above by Carrie Bender is bedtime reading. It is very easy reading and part of a series. It's a fictional tale of the life of an Amish woman written in diary form.
Now this book is for fun. It's one that we have had setting on our bookshelf for awhile. We like to purchase books at thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and such. Sometimes we don't have time to read them right away. This one has some pretty funny things in it. It is very important to laugh...very healthful too!
This one is very challenging as well as instructional. Joseph M. Stowell, past president of Moody Bible Institute, is a very prolific author. This particular book of his was really written for pastors. It is great for other leaders and even us lay people also. Because it is geared to pastors, the language can be daunting at times but if you work at it this book can really speak to all of us.
