I, Brad Bryan, hereby pledge to not post about what I see as negative aspects of the structure and system of the United Methodist Church, my personal frustrations with the candidacy process, the present and future of young adults in the church, or my concerns for the future within the itineracy connection for ONE MONTH. From this day, until the end of school, I will not mention the United Methodist Church at all, excluding any unforseen interesting things that happen within the building of a UMC or inspiring comments or actions by a member of the UMC.
I invite my brother Andy at Enter the Rainbow, my friend Adam Mustoe at Internationally Known, my friend Mark at Stupidity Ensues and all you other blogophiles out there to join me. (Zach, delegates to General Conference are exempt and we expect nightly updates!)
And so, slightly inspired by my friend Justin's dance this morning (Where is the Love?) and my friend Katie's overall cheerful countinance (sp), here's some things that are making me happy:
1. Compiling a spring and summer reading list of books that have absolutely nothing to do with pastoral care, eccumenism, liberation theology or seminary. I'm not only tired of reading those books, I'm also tired of reading my same favorite Stephen King books over and over. I've decided to go back to the classics. First the classics of my favorite genre: Bradbury, Asimov, Poe, Ayn Rand. Then other classics: Hemmingway, Faulkner, James, Stevenson, Twain, Dickens. I want to spend my summer reading the best novels ever written, and that makes me happy.
2. The new Black Crowes, Jack Johnson, Matt Costa, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Black Keys and reissued Elvis Costello records. Great, great stuff all around and that makes me happy. I am always looking for new music to pick up and discover, so if anybody has found any recently that you love, please share.
3. The Police and Elvis Costello concert in a month makes me extremely happy.
4. Planning the summer vacation, summer concert and lake house days with Lindsey makes me happy.
5. Being able to play Elvis Costello, Ben Harper and Bob Marley in chapel today makes me happy.
6. Actually finding a pretty, peaceful place to go IN ST. JOSEPH!
In fact, I think I'll head up there now.
Woke up this morning, smiled with the risin' sun.
Three little birds, sit on my doorstep.
Singin' sweet songs, of melodies pure and true.
Sayin', this is my message to you-oo-oo.
Don't worry...'bout a ting.
'Cause every little ting's, gonna be alright.
Peace, BB
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Encouraging Words....with just a little Spin
Encouraging words in this issue of the United Methodist Reporter. That's right, I read the Reporter. Former President of St. Paul School of Theology, Lovett Weems was interviewed concerning the importance of young adult clergy. And, guess what? He gets it!
Why are young clergy important?
"Energy, vision and vitality. More adept at reaching emerging generations. Closer to the culture."
What motivates younger people to a call to ministry?
"A call to serve, to be a part of something larger than themselves. It's not primarily organizational or institutional. It's a mission focus. IT'S NOT WELL DEFINED."
Explain the "lifesaver mentality".
"They're a bit uncomfortable with that. They can't do it themselves."
What about the gap?
"Sometimes there will be a two generation gap between the congregation and the clergy. You're young, you should be able to reach young people. But there's no expectation that the church should change."
What about appointments and itineracy?
"[Younger clergy] tend to be made last. The options available for those appointments are very limited at that time. There is a paying-our-dues mentality, but we can't afford that if less than 5 percent of our clergy are under 35. Less than 5 percent believe [itineracy] works well. [Its] an issue causing younger clergy to choose other traditions. It is feeling so out of control of one's destiny and how it impacts spouse and family and spouses' employment. The system is looked at skeptically by younger clergy."
What about the sense of unfairness in accountability?
"They are paying the price for inefective older clergy, so there are more and more restrictions that get put on them. They feel the primary factor in advancement tends to be years of service."
Wow, thank you. Love it, Lovett. He's nailed it. Just this week, I got a letter from my mentor about an interview with the District Committee of Ordained Ministry that I missed. I missed this meeting, because ALL the meeting times were during my class time. Not one meeting was set for Thursday, when students at Saint Paul have NO CLASS. I was also, apparently, supposed to request from him a letter of recommendation to the committee. His e-mail was the first I had heard of any such requirement. The e-mail went on to say that if I don't make the make up meetings in May, basically, my career is over and I won't even be able to go to any other conferences.
Here's the deal: I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing with the process of candidacy. Am I a pastor, am I a student? What is the conference doing to respect my time as a seminary student? Where's the liturature that tells me clearly and without question what my role in the process is? And, is there really such an emphasis on the system and the institution that missing one meeting, held at a time when no student could attend without missing class, ends my career?
Dr. Weems gets it. We have to do some SERIOUS work to recruit, support, uphold, train, connect and empower young adult clergy.
Here comes the spin. At the top of the page with the interview, there's a picture of our Bishop (who I think gets it, too) at a meeting of young adults. The caption reads: "Bishop Schnase makes it a habit to meet with all the young adult clergy from his conference." Hear the spin.
1. A habit is something you do so often you don't think about it anymore. As far as I know, this is the first such meeting of large group of young adult clergy. There have been other, smaller meetings of certain powerful, or fruitful, young clergy. But, an invitation to "all" the clergy, i think this is the first one.
2. ALL the young adult clergy in the conference? Well, I guess I'm not clergy. Me, or any of my classmates, for that matter. Only commissioned and ordained clergy were invited. In other words, only those who have gotten so far into the system. They actually had to raise the official age of young adults to 37 to get the turn out seen in the picture. Instead of inviting actually ALL the young adult clergy, including lisenced local pastors and student pastors, they raised the age!
I am encouraged and happy and excited to read Dr. Weems keenly accurate assessment of how we treat, and how we should treat, young adult clergy. I am, shall we say, interested in those words "habit" and "all" in the caption of the picture.
I would just like one chance to put my money where my mouth is. I talk a lot about this. And I know, when the time comes, it'll be time to put up or shut up. But, I guess I don't have to worry about that now, 'cause nobody's asking. And, I worry about what putting up and shutting up will look like. Will I have to show weekly signs of fruitfulness by filling out forms of worship numbers? Will I have to wait ten years to get a chance, when I'm not technically a young adult anymore, pay my dues, work my way up? I don't know.
And you know what, even after all this...I have to go to class and Thursday I have to go to work. I have people to take care of in the hospital, I have a Baccalureate service planning meeting. I am called to ministry. I choose to be a part of the United Methodist Church. There's a difference.
Brad
Why are young clergy important?
"Energy, vision and vitality. More adept at reaching emerging generations. Closer to the culture."
What motivates younger people to a call to ministry?
"A call to serve, to be a part of something larger than themselves. It's not primarily organizational or institutional. It's a mission focus. IT'S NOT WELL DEFINED."
Explain the "lifesaver mentality".
"They're a bit uncomfortable with that. They can't do it themselves."
What about the gap?
"Sometimes there will be a two generation gap between the congregation and the clergy. You're young, you should be able to reach young people. But there's no expectation that the church should change."
What about appointments and itineracy?
"[Younger clergy] tend to be made last. The options available for those appointments are very limited at that time. There is a paying-our-dues mentality, but we can't afford that if less than 5 percent of our clergy are under 35. Less than 5 percent believe [itineracy] works well. [Its] an issue causing younger clergy to choose other traditions. It is feeling so out of control of one's destiny and how it impacts spouse and family and spouses' employment. The system is looked at skeptically by younger clergy."
What about the sense of unfairness in accountability?
"They are paying the price for inefective older clergy, so there are more and more restrictions that get put on them. They feel the primary factor in advancement tends to be years of service."
Wow, thank you. Love it, Lovett. He's nailed it. Just this week, I got a letter from my mentor about an interview with the District Committee of Ordained Ministry that I missed. I missed this meeting, because ALL the meeting times were during my class time. Not one meeting was set for Thursday, when students at Saint Paul have NO CLASS. I was also, apparently, supposed to request from him a letter of recommendation to the committee. His e-mail was the first I had heard of any such requirement. The e-mail went on to say that if I don't make the make up meetings in May, basically, my career is over and I won't even be able to go to any other conferences.
Here's the deal: I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing with the process of candidacy. Am I a pastor, am I a student? What is the conference doing to respect my time as a seminary student? Where's the liturature that tells me clearly and without question what my role in the process is? And, is there really such an emphasis on the system and the institution that missing one meeting, held at a time when no student could attend without missing class, ends my career?
Dr. Weems gets it. We have to do some SERIOUS work to recruit, support, uphold, train, connect and empower young adult clergy.
Here comes the spin. At the top of the page with the interview, there's a picture of our Bishop (who I think gets it, too) at a meeting of young adults. The caption reads: "Bishop Schnase makes it a habit to meet with all the young adult clergy from his conference." Hear the spin.
1. A habit is something you do so often you don't think about it anymore. As far as I know, this is the first such meeting of large group of young adult clergy. There have been other, smaller meetings of certain powerful, or fruitful, young clergy. But, an invitation to "all" the clergy, i think this is the first one.
2. ALL the young adult clergy in the conference? Well, I guess I'm not clergy. Me, or any of my classmates, for that matter. Only commissioned and ordained clergy were invited. In other words, only those who have gotten so far into the system. They actually had to raise the official age of young adults to 37 to get the turn out seen in the picture. Instead of inviting actually ALL the young adult clergy, including lisenced local pastors and student pastors, they raised the age!
I am encouraged and happy and excited to read Dr. Weems keenly accurate assessment of how we treat, and how we should treat, young adult clergy. I am, shall we say, interested in those words "habit" and "all" in the caption of the picture.
I would just like one chance to put my money where my mouth is. I talk a lot about this. And I know, when the time comes, it'll be time to put up or shut up. But, I guess I don't have to worry about that now, 'cause nobody's asking. And, I worry about what putting up and shutting up will look like. Will I have to show weekly signs of fruitfulness by filling out forms of worship numbers? Will I have to wait ten years to get a chance, when I'm not technically a young adult anymore, pay my dues, work my way up? I don't know.
And you know what, even after all this...I have to go to class and Thursday I have to go to work. I have people to take care of in the hospital, I have a Baccalureate service planning meeting. I am called to ministry. I choose to be a part of the United Methodist Church. There's a difference.
Brad
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Facts
Months after the attacks of 9/11, Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Powell, found and displayed clear and unquestionable evidence that not only had Saddam Hussein been involved in planning the attacks, he was currently producing and stockpiling weapons of mass destruction.
Iraqi people would clearly welcome any force offering them freedom from this oppressive dictator, and the US had a duty to answer.
After the shock and awe beginning of the war, a tactic that in no way purposely targeted civilian positions, stories of heroism flowed in: from the clandestine, Tom Clancy resque of Jessi Lynch to the heroic sacrifice of pro-football player Pat Tillman. These great acts of heroism culminated in the end of the fighting in Iraq, declared by President Badasss in a flight suit on a aircraft carrier.
The fighting, just like he said, did stop. The killing of Saddam's sons and the ultimate capture of the dictator himself, defeated the insurgents resisting liberation and the people of Iraq sung our praises.
The fighting, somehow, came back, but the US was, of course, prepared-country of Boy Scouts that we are. The administration took the smartest road possible: take troops out of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where clearly no one important to the extremists was hiding in the mountains, and flood them into Iraq. This move again, was a great success.
The reporting of the war has been absolutely fair and balanced and truthful. The pentagon's program to partner each press agent with a "marine buddy" provided the press the freedom they needed to report with outstanding journalistic integrity. The pentagon, wisely, requested that names, faces and numbers of the dead US soldiers be left out of the press; national secruity was at stake.
As the war comes to a swift end, the Iraqi people are more than ready to run and maintain a secure democracy, having had great experience, opportunity and education in the work of politics under the previous government. The American diplomats are more than capable to bring the sectarian violence to an end, due to their vast knowledge of the religion and history of the region. Iraq will be just fine!
Back at home, our veterans, many who rightly joined the service after 9-11 because the commander and chief had given his word that US justice is swift and sweeping and always righteous, will be treated with the utmost respect, given the best medical care our nation has to offer and provided for for the educational opportunities they missed by boldly following our Commander into battle.
The attacks of 9/11 have been answered justly, the culprits brought to justice, the planners stopped from planning another attack. The people of Iraq are free, are liberated, and now feel completely safe to send their kids to the high quality schools, go to work in their not-destroyed office buildings, eat Whoppers, shop at Target and buy enormous gas-guzzling monstrosities from America...just like they've always wanted!!
April Fools,
BB
Iraqi people would clearly welcome any force offering them freedom from this oppressive dictator, and the US had a duty to answer.
After the shock and awe beginning of the war, a tactic that in no way purposely targeted civilian positions, stories of heroism flowed in: from the clandestine, Tom Clancy resque of Jessi Lynch to the heroic sacrifice of pro-football player Pat Tillman. These great acts of heroism culminated in the end of the fighting in Iraq, declared by President Badasss in a flight suit on a aircraft carrier.
The fighting, just like he said, did stop. The killing of Saddam's sons and the ultimate capture of the dictator himself, defeated the insurgents resisting liberation and the people of Iraq sung our praises.
The fighting, somehow, came back, but the US was, of course, prepared-country of Boy Scouts that we are. The administration took the smartest road possible: take troops out of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where clearly no one important to the extremists was hiding in the mountains, and flood them into Iraq. This move again, was a great success.
The reporting of the war has been absolutely fair and balanced and truthful. The pentagon's program to partner each press agent with a "marine buddy" provided the press the freedom they needed to report with outstanding journalistic integrity. The pentagon, wisely, requested that names, faces and numbers of the dead US soldiers be left out of the press; national secruity was at stake.
As the war comes to a swift end, the Iraqi people are more than ready to run and maintain a secure democracy, having had great experience, opportunity and education in the work of politics under the previous government. The American diplomats are more than capable to bring the sectarian violence to an end, due to their vast knowledge of the religion and history of the region. Iraq will be just fine!
Back at home, our veterans, many who rightly joined the service after 9-11 because the commander and chief had given his word that US justice is swift and sweeping and always righteous, will be treated with the utmost respect, given the best medical care our nation has to offer and provided for for the educational opportunities they missed by boldly following our Commander into battle.
The attacks of 9/11 have been answered justly, the culprits brought to justice, the planners stopped from planning another attack. The people of Iraq are free, are liberated, and now feel completely safe to send their kids to the high quality schools, go to work in their not-destroyed office buildings, eat Whoppers, shop at Target and buy enormous gas-guzzling monstrosities from America...just like they've always wanted!!
April Fools,
BB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
