Doug, I keep thinking about your question, and feeling like I should have something to say about it, and coming up close to empty, but my heart aches for your congregation, and I hope that your tension is peacefully resolved in due time. I also keep thinking that many are wiser than I am on the subject of your need, but I can tell we're already pretty well taken up on another very important subject. I note, though, that a few have spoken well to your needs. I'd like to try to help, too.
To the point: I get the sense that your congregation is really wanting to "get a pastor" and you might be too worn out from the first go to "do it well" again, and maybe again. Here are some possibilities: 1. Properly understood, of course, stop trying to "get a pastor". You believe in the Holy Spirit. You will have a new pastor if you as a church stick to what it means to you to be church. 2. Open Space is about sharing words. That's very theological, very good. Goes back to Genesis 1. So, keep on doing it. Share your words. Share your passions. 3. In this way understand who God has called you to be as the church-wherever-you-are. Know your passions. Then keep doing them. 4. From this, you will understand what you need a pastor to be and to do, and how you will relate to each other. 5. You might also think about marriages. It's kind of what happens when churches and pastors hook up. 6. By the way, in our circles, 12 to 24 months is the norm between losing a pastor and receiving another. Finally, we have some very good pastors on this list, and some very good laity, not all of whom are members of churches, or even self-identify as Christian, and I hope that as time allows, more will speak to your need. You are doing well to seek counsel of people who understand the power of words and the power of freedom. Best Wishes Always, Jim * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
