tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post9208555356350946910..comments2024-03-23T18:50:32.902-04:00Comments on Telling Secrets: Vocational Risk Management Elizabeth Kaetonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-89276713173843910522017-01-06T08:52:01.706-05:002017-01-06T08:52:01.706-05:00I love that story. And, it does not diminish the p...I love that story. And, it does not diminish the perspective of "life cycle". As a Hospice Chaplain, I see people doing much the same thing. We make choices about where we are in our cycle of life. Congregations do the same thing. It's just important to know where a congregation is in their life cycle and where you are in your life cycle so that you can see clearly what they need and what gifts and skills and experiences you bring to help them. Hope that helps you understand where I'm coming from. Thanks again for that story.Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-41227388232955193082016-12-18T23:20:47.943-05:002016-12-18T23:20:47.943-05:00Great article, lots of things to think about on th...Great article, lots of things to think about on this post.<br /><br />The only point I hesitate about is the question about where the parish is in it's "life cycle". Discussion about parish "life cycle" seems to be picking up steam the last few years, but I'm afraid it is (in some cases) being used as an easy way out...a way of just giving up and allowing a parish to close up shop. While the reality of large, inner-city parishes with an aging physical plant built for the throngs of members they had once-upon-a-time is real, I often see much more ministry opportunities there than in the wealthier, newer, suburban parishes. <br /><br />I am reminded of a church in my area that has been in steady decline since the 1950's. They have an ASA of about 40 in a large, aging, deteriorating building that would seat 500. Located in a once fashionable part of town, the church is now surrounded by blight and poverty. Denominational leaders have been putting pressure on them for years to close the church (they're not Episcopal). A few years ago, the congregation decided they weren't going to take the easy way out, to give up and close. They decided to spend their endowment (and their time) in ministering to the community. They opened up their doors to the community and started feeding the flock. Today, the place is alive with ministries....food pantry, hot meal program, after-school program, and all kinds of community organizations who use the facility to meet in and hold events. The building which once sat locked up 6 days a week is now open and buzzing with activity most every day. <br /><br />Now, has all this changed the fortunes and future of this parish? Probably not. The magnificent and beautiful building is still crumbling, growth is stagnant, and the funds are almost gone. What has changed is the people, within and outside of the congregation. They commit more of their time (and more of their financial resources) to ministry now than they ever did back in their parish's "glory days". They have committed themselves to be "open for business" with no talk of closing up as long as they have a few souls left in the pews, and a few bucks in the plate. <br /><br />I'm afraid there is going to be some heartbreak in that congregation one day, when they have no alternative but to close their doors. If something doesn't change soon, the money will run out. But when that day comes, they will have spent every last dime and every last minute doing what Christ has called us to do, sharing the good news and taking care of the lost and the least. David Thomasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-51619428782311158152016-12-12T22:41:20.938-05:002016-12-12T22:41:20.938-05:00Hi, Robert. There must have been a hiccup in the i...Hi, Robert. There must have been a hiccup in the internet. Your comment appeared three times, so I removed the last two. Thank you for your comment. It's amazing how much information we gain and learning we achieve just by looking in the rear view mirror. And, no longer "dependent" upon a bishop who is dependent upon a congregational pledge. Le sigh. Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-38448579973806466492016-12-12T18:43:42.581-05:002016-12-12T18:43:42.581-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13170313720313566837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-36521006070992528672016-12-12T18:41:49.277-05:002016-12-12T18:41:49.277-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13170313720313566837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29373297.post-66164461418882848262016-12-12T18:38:41.772-05:002016-12-12T18:38:41.772-05:00I have been reading you site for some time now and...I have been reading you site for some time now and this latest one inspired me to write back. It is wonderful advice! I mean it. I have been a priest for over thirty years and an intentional interim for almost twenty and this post would have helped me through several very difficult congregations. If I would add anything the first would be that when the review of ministry takes place it is very clear that it is the review of the ministry of the congregation and not of the priest or pastor.The other advice I would offer is that she not accept the call to a fixer-upper unless that parish has gone through an interim process and that she has had a lengthy conversation with the interim and further that she remains in touch with that person. Avoid triangles if possible but at least be aware of them. Again, wonderful advice! Thank you. Rev. Robert B. Clarke, D. Min. (PS I trained at the Family Systems Center in Chicago in Bowen Theory.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13170313720313566837noreply@blogger.com