 |
|
Christ´s Lutheran Church |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||||
 |
|||||||
|
A congregation of the Metropolitan NY Synod |
|||||||
 |
|||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
So, how will this part-time ministry look? Well, that's something we're all continuing to discover! I can say that in substance it probably will not be that different from full-time ministry. I will still lead worship each Sunday (except, of course when I'm on vacation or ill.). I will still be available in case of emergencies at all times (again, except when I'm on vacation). My mobile phone number is listed below. Feel free to use it whenever you need to be in touch with me. It is my only constant and confidential line. I will still do visitation and attend planning meetings, etc. So, what will change? To be honest, I'm not sure, except to say there may be sometime and some occasions that I just cannot make —but hasn't that always been the case??? I can tell you that I plan to organize my week in the coming year as follows: Sunday: Worship Monday: Off Tuesday: meetings, text study and visits Wednesday: Off or floating if there are meetings or visits to be done Thursday: office hours, meetings, visits Friday: Off Saturday: Off or floating "Floating" means that these are times I've learned to expect or have allotted for "planned extras": retreats, meetings, etc. It does not mean that I will always make those dates, but at least I've planned for such adjustments. I'm sure there will be some weeks—especially in the summer—when 20 hours may seem sufficient because there are fewer meetings, etc. However, I already know there will be others when 20 hours will in no way be enough! And, one thing I've learned well in the past 11 years is that ministry is not a 9 to 5 job—it's "on-demand" and one needs to learn to bend and roll with what comes. Bend and roll. Adjust. "Stay loose." Flexible. Patient. These are all words we'll need in the coming months. As well as "work together" "be proactive" and "give me a call." And let's work on ministry not money this year! Maybe together we'll find that less can be more!. |
The congregation voted at the 2010 annual meeting to adjust to a part-time ministry package. This decision came after a realistic look at a
long succession of annual deficits, including a 2009 deficit that had the potential of being 5 figures were it not for a bequest and end of
year gift. There's much that can be said about this decision. What is important for you to know from me at this point is that I whole
heartedly support it—in fact, after participating in the budget and deliberation process, I put it on the table. This congregation needs to
be free from worrying about money each month! Indeed, it was remarkable to me how the tenor of the special council meeting where this was discussed changed from focus on fundraising to focus on
how we will do ministry in 2010. Indeed, the council's focus should always be, first and foremost, on how we will do ministry at Christ's Church! |
|
|
|
|
This site was last modified on March 7, 2010 |
|||