The United Church entered into a major discernment process during the past few months and decided to make a significant change for newly minted ministers. For most of our 80-year history we have "settled and transferred" clergy to their first pastoral charge. These Newbies are seny by the denomination to congregations that might not otherwise be served. the system worked reasonably well for decades but in the last twenty years ordinands and commissionands found ways to circumvent the system, sometimes for good reasons and other times not.
The recent presbytery by presbytery vote resulted in the change to allow individuals to negotiate where they will go rather than be assigned. I have mixed feelings as many clergy do. There are considerable benefits in the system as it has existed. More isolated congregations get a minister. Newcomers to ministry often have an experience in a part of the country they didn't know previously. I was sent to Newfoundland thirty years ago and we are back there now, visiting long-time friends. Our son was born there. Reader Deb bravely agreed to go to Saskatchewan three years ago, where her family is flourishing. She is president-elect of the conference, a wonderful opportunity. I encouraged Deb to be open to settlement, and we should all be proud of what she has done and is doing.
Still, I voted in favour of the change because of the abuses and end-runs, as well as changing realities. I have talked at length with my Newfie-born son who will be ordained next year. He is open and willing to serve the church in a rural area. He also wants his wife to be able to pursue her career and feels that together they can find a way to fulfill both goals and be faithful to his call. Because they are both bilingual, they may end up serving in a French-speaking community.
As in most of life, there is no perfect system, no ideal answer. Did you know about the former system? Would you prefer that it had stayed the same? Do the changes make sense to you?
2 comments:
I can see both sides. I do feel the small rural churches will lose out and in the end shut. But maybe that is for the best. The church has to be adaptable and ready to move on.
I agree with your thoughts Laurie. The interesting thing is that rural presbyteries voted in favour of this change, which surprised some of us. But they are the ones already experiencing the breakdown in the system.
We are just back from Newfoundland and heard that something like 20 pastoral charges are vacant. When Ruth and I went there 30 years ago we were footloose and fancy-free 25-year-olds. Now three quarters of UCC clergy are over 50 and perhaps less adventurous.
We can always fine-tune the process if this is not effective. Thanks.
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