Pastor Lance ran a series of thought-provoking posts for those of us Presbybloggers interested in PresbyPolity called "What If...the Presbytery?". He invited discussion about the purpose of Synods and Presbyteries in today's world.
A recurring theme in the comments was frustration with the format of most presbytery meetings. Meetings that last an entire day, never mind the ones that span a two-day period, exclude most elders from consistent participation as commissioners because of work and family conflicts. Many pastors find the meetings tedious as well. One suggestion was that more of the business of presbytery should be done by internet, thus cutting down on the time commitment required.
That could be a good option to investigate. But presbytery meetings also serve an important purpose that requires personal attendance: the development and nurturing of personal relationships between pastors and elders. Many ministers are solo pastors in smaller congregations and do not have peers to associate with on a daily basis. Presbytery meetings offer the opportunity to develop those peer relationships that help pastors feel less isolated and provide support and mentoring. As an elder, I have also found it useful to meet elders from other churches who provide me with a wider perspective on the church than I would otherwise have.
A recurring theme in the comments was frustration with the format of most presbytery meetings. Meetings that last an entire day, never mind the ones that span a two-day period, exclude most elders from consistent participation as commissioners because of work and family conflicts. Many pastors find the meetings tedious as well. One suggestion was that more of the business of presbytery should be done by internet, thus cutting down on the time commitment required.
That could be a good option to investigate. But presbytery meetings also serve an important purpose that requires personal attendance: the development and nurturing of personal relationships between pastors and elders. Many ministers are solo pastors in smaller congregations and do not have peers to associate with on a daily basis. Presbytery meetings offer the opportunity to develop those peer relationships that help pastors feel less isolated and provide support and mentoring. As an elder, I have also found it useful to meet elders from other churches who provide me with a wider perspective on the church than I would otherwise have.
We do need to find a way to include more of our elders and not have attendance limited to those who are retired or who have flexible employment situations. But how do we find a balance between a new, possibly electronic format, for presbytery meetings without losing the benefits of the traditional style of meeting? Or am I overstating the benefit of personal interaction between pastors at these meetings?
9 comments:
I used to belong to the Presbytery of Glasgow in Scotland. Over 400 churches were represented. They met twice per month - one for committees, the other for Presbytery; They held their meetings in the evenings and finished business when business finished - even past midnight if need be.
Are we meeting for the work of the kingdom of God and Christ's church, which makes demands on our time, energy, and busy-ness; or for the convenience of ourselves?
Our presbytery is geographically large and it's difficult for smaller, more distant congregations to send an elder, particularly to an early afternoon meeting. By the same token, it is a very long day for the pastors of those churches if the meeting is in the evening. Andy, we also are mixing up times and days trying to find the right formula. One thing the presbytery has done is to put announcements of events on a separate sheet for meeting attendees to pick up rather than to announce them. Seems to save some time that way.
From where I stand, you are NOT overstating the importance of the relational side of presbytery meetings. I am one of those odd ducks who actually looks forward to the meetings - for that very reason. I am a solo pastor in a small town with no close sister Presbyterian church. I cherish the opportunity to be with colleagues. Are the meetings miserably long? Sometimes. (I take my current crochet project with me - makes it much more bearable.) Do I have trouble finding elders available to go? Yes, I do. Even so, the benefits outweigh the liabilities for me. After all, we say we are a connectional church. What a shame if our primary connection becomes through the internet!
And other denomiations struggle with these same issues. There is such a rift in our denomination -- because those who can attend Conference are not really representational of the denomination. But how to do it?
Keep us informed of your discussions. They could be very fruitful.
We face the same problems here: long meetings, difficulty in finding elders who can attend long day meetings, long hours of travel to reach the meeting places, isolation of clergy from one another.
Council works to streamline the meeting but we meet like a worshipping group rather than a business so our meetings are long.
I worry that younger, working ruling elders don't get to attend and that we've become a meeting for retired people.
I hate to wag my finger but I feel that because of a lack of any real Elder training in most churches that we have lost a feel for what it really means to be an elder of the Church and the seriousness of the job. That could be and probably is part of the issue with the inneffectiveness of Presbytery meetings.
Often, the most important thing that happens at a Presbytery meeting is being with other pastors and elders. This does not have to happen at Presbytery meetings! Let's face it... we are lazy! We are also very busy. Today you (and me, for that matter) could get on the phone and set up a "gathering" of pastors and elders from churches in our own Presbytery. We could set a time and place that would be benificial to all wishing to be involved. We could meet, eat, talk, pray, sing, etc. I recently drove 3 hours to Wenatchee, Washington, to attend a gathering of pastors and elders. I had only met three or four of the people before. It was great! We are so conditioned in having the "Presbytery" set something up for us that we forget that we can see that these types of gatherings happen. It is up to you and me... not just the Presbytery.
Pastor Lance
FullCourtPresby.blogspot.com
That's an excellent point. Just because meetups of pastors and/or elders from different churches have happened in the context of presbytery meetings doesn't mean that is the ONLY way to see that happens.
We need to define the essential tasks of presbytery and ask how to they can best be accomplished.
I agree and disagree with you, pastor lance. I think the important meetings of pastors and elders DOES happen at Presbytery meetings. It's one of the reasons I often look forward to them. Then again, I'm not a moderator or committee chair, so my role at the actual meetings is to show up, listen, pray, vote, . . . in other words, I'm not worrying about agendas or business, really.
At the same time, I agree with you that we need to meet up more often. Hear in East TN we have every-other-month lunches for Presbyterian pastors in our different regions. Unlike attempts at this in some other Presbyteries, it's been remarkably successful here at helping us to get to know each other, trust each other, and come together when we need it. But it took the pushing and active involvement of a new Executive Presbyter to get us started doing this. There are, I think, 4 or 5 loosely-defined area groups that meet regularly. We pray for each other and support each others' ministries. No, it's not always convenient, but most of us seem to be able to make the time for it.
Post a Comment