Friday, August 12, 2005

Bishop Envy?

We've talked to quite a few unchurchy-type friends and neighbors about the impending closure of our church. With few exceptions, one of their questions is, "Where will they send you next?" These folks are surprised when I explain that, in the Presbyterian system, there is no "they" to "send" me anywhere; that when the church closes this fall I will be just as unemployed as they would be if their company, school, clinic, service agency, or whatever were to shut its doors-- That I'll be sending out the Presbyterian equivalent of a resume, working my network and waiting by the phone just like any other job seeker in town.

"Wow!" they blink.

So, to the apparent belief that churches are fixed parts of the landscape, running on no visible means of support, I can now add the apparent notion that pastors pretty much have no employment worries. Apparently, if folks think about this at all, they assume we're kind of like the military or CIA agents: we might get difficult or dislikable assignments, but we've always got some kind of gig.

Of course, I could have joined up with the Methodists . . . .

2 comments:

Unknown said...

It's the same in the UCC, and unless the Conference Minister (a) actually cares about you and (b) actually has a positive relationship with the church in question, there is no one to help grease the wheels. That is so hard when you are limited geographically, as mothers so often are. I truly sympathize. Depending on how fundraising goes this fall, I will probably be right behind you. I'm pleased with the huge increase in interest in doing stewardship, but I think it's doubtful that they will be able to come up to the conference guidelines for salary, and if they can't, it's time to face the need to hire someone part-time rather than full-time, since that person is not me. Sigh. It just seems so wrong for money to play such a role in these decisions, and yet it is a practical necessity, isn't it?

Apostle John said...

I was in a group of ministers and we were all talking about moving. We were all envious of each other's systems. Whatever system we are in, none of them are perfect. They each have great value, and they each have serious shortcomings.