reyes-chow :: MODERATOR

Moderator Monday: Nine questions from a seminarian, a meme'ish

[Image: 1993, my ordination year]

Greetings all.  I trust everyone had a revelatory Easter and enjoying some time of rest after Lent and Holy Week. 

A few weeks ago, I received a note from a seminarian asking me to answer a few questions about pastoral leadership.  As I began to respond, I thought this would be make a good post for this blog.  So with her permission I have answered her nine questions as briefly as I could.  What a gift it is to be asked some insightful questions by someone navigating this wonderfully active water of call and ordination.  And what I gift, those of us who have been doing this for a bit, can offer back by sharing honest reflections on our call and ministry.

I hope that some of you will take the challenge and answer these questions yourself.  I am not going to actually make this into a full-out meme, but if you feel so inclined, please feel free to blog or facebook your responses and if you send me the link or trackback, I'll update this posting.  Think of this as a kind of quick phone interview and a pleasant ministry interruption ;-)

OTHER RESPONDERS:

• Rev. Dr. Bryon Wade, Vice-Moderator
• Rev. Paul Moore, Blaine/Lino Lakes, Minnesota
• TBA

Here are my responses:

1. Tell me about your conversion experience/faith journey.

I came to faith, not in one moment of realization, but in a cumulative experience of the divine community of my home church.  They took seriously their baptismal vows to care for and guide me faith life and I have always felt that I am to respond in my life out of that love.  I have never really questioned the salvific nature of my relationship with Christ while always navigating how I shift in my interpretation and articulation of that faith. 

2. Why did you go into ministry?

The money and prestige ;-)  But a close second was a sense from folks around that this was a calling.  I remember telling folks that I was thinking about being a pastor hoping that they would laugh me out of the building and even those outside the church said, "huh, not surprised"  The affirmation of call from those within and outside the church - not always a pleasant , but always honest - gave me a broad view of what my calling into ministry might look like.

3. What do you love the most about being in ministry?

There is really is a great deal to chose from, but if I had to choose one thing right now, it would be the flexibility of the life that allows for creative expressions of the pastorate.

4. What is the most challenging thing about being in ministry?

Meaningfully making Christ real in a world that is constantly changing in its very understanding of faith and community.  The ultimate "T"ruth of Christ does not change for me, but navigating the "t"ruths along the way requires a adaptive abilities that are not always easy to live.

5. What are the most important things to keep in mind while ministering to people?

The role we have in people's lives in sacred.  We are given access to the most delicate parts of people's journey not initially because of who we are as individuals, but because of who/what we represent.  This is a gift that must be tended well.  This can be abused without knowing it, but can also be a relationship where everyone meets God in new ways so that the communites that we are part of will grow in body and spirit.

6. How do you deal with the stresses of ministry and leadership?

Oh the assumptions you make ;-)  I lean on my communities to provide all the wit and wisdom that will help me to grow.  I engage with annual covenant groups, have a spiritual director and take part in many web 2.0 communities.  I also make sure to play whether it is movies my myself, motorcycle riding and/or goofing of with my family.

I also try not to take myself too seriously.

7. How would you define your leadership style?

Wow, this is a tough one.  What I hope characterized my leadership style is to be balanced, transparent and consistent.  Balanced between being prophetic, pastoral, priestly and poetic in my leadership role; consistent throughout my life and ministry in person and online; and transparent in all that I do . . . what you see is what you get.  Now this does not mean that I am NOT strategic and/or political, but how I engage in that activity is colored by the first three.

8. How would you define the your leadership techniques?

I know, appreciate and love "my people" so much so that I will meet them where they are in all aspects of their lives.  Whether that is in technological space, worship needs, organizational inclinations, etc. I always try to know the cultural, social and theological realities of the people I serve.  The sociological and analytic chops of all pastors need to be sharpened if we truly will know those who we have been called to serve.

9. What are the things people do that make you feel most supported and loved as their pastor?

Like everyone, I appreciate the occasional and unexpected "Thank you" but by far the greatest joy I receive from the congregation is when the language changes from "your" church to "my/our" church.  My heart leaps when folks begin to embody those things that I try to teach, influence and embody myself.  This does not mean we are all becoming of like IDEOLOGY in thought, but that we are finding convergence of like BEING in living as the body of Christ.

Presbyterian Bloggers Unite: April - Campus Ministry

A Introduction to Bloggers Unite

I realize that not everyone blogs out there, but for those that produce content or lurk and/or comment you know the power of blogging not only for those who read them, but for those who write.  There is something amazing about the the discipline of reflecting and writing on a subject that, when done well, can inspire and transform.

So here is my challenge for the Presbyterian Bloggers out there.  On the first day of each month, lets blog on a topic that may not get all that much attention or may generate some unexpected places of connection and community.  We will be using the platform, Bloggers Unite, a great place to discover blog topics and participate in events around the world.  Not only do we get a great technology, but the PC(USA) gets some facetime in a new venue.

If you have any questions, thoughts, thoughts for future topics, please leave a comment and please to pass this along.   Thanks and look forward to reading this posts.

PREVIOUS POSTS - 04.09 Campus Ministry | 05.09 Poverty | 06.09 TBA | 

This month [04.01.09] it is Campus Ministry 

This month, I have chosen the area of campus ministry. Despite ongoing struggles around finances and structures there seems to be a kind of renewal that is taking place. One just need look at things such as the YAM Jam, May in Austin, or the newly launched pcusacollege.org and it becomes clear that there is great energy and passion for mission and the church. But we know there is much more going on around the country. So, lets hear the stories from students, campus pastors, congregations about how you have been touched by campus ministry in the past and what you dream about for the future.

How to participate . . .

• Register at Bloggers Unite and join the event [HERE];
• Publish your post on April 1, 2009;
• Submit your post to the Event;
• Visit and comment on others who have also posted;

Questions for thought . . .

• how have you been personally impacted by CAMPUS MINISTRY?
• what future commitment are you willing to make to support CAMPUS MINISTRY?
• what are the greatest hopes and challenges that you think face CAMPUS MINISTRY in the future?

More info

• PC(USA) Collegaite Ministiers Page [HERE]; 
• Rick Upchurch, PC(USA) Associate for Collegiate Ministries [eMail];

TechnoPresbies you are on notice

This week I received this note from self-described, "pastor in post-retirement service trying to be contemporary" regarding the relative techno-navigation that needs explanation for those for whom some of this is new, different, etc. but who REALLY want to get it. 

Thanks for all your work and the tech stuff.   As a 66 year old person trying desperately, despite my right-brained orientation, to be tech savvy, I am frustrated by some things. Perhaps you could help us less than great tech folk (and that's less than you) with some concrete stuff.  Could you put some tech info-how-to's as a hyperlink on every email so folk can keep up?  I am thinking  Click here to get more info about all the tech information included here.  The click takes one to some basic explanations: Cap letters in Blue means click here to get the entire letter;  webcasting is?; facebook is a ---;.   Thanks, think of it as a ministry of support and help for us seniors!

This is great because it really does push the question for those of us that are charging ahead on some things, but really do need to be part of the transformation that we hope to bring about.  How do we appreciate those who yearn to understand without looking down upon, leaving behind or otherwise not valuing the diversity of experience that we ourselves are pushing the church to value?  Now I make this offer with some hesitation, but is anyone interested in thinking through how we can best do this?  Maybe start up some kind of PresbyBlog Wiki?  We can beg, borrow or liberate from other sources, but put something together here that can help explain the basic basics of blogland?  I have done a little bit of it here, but I think it needs to be expanded and/or revamped.  If you are interested, please drop me a note and/or leave a comment. 

Moderator Monday: Random Musings

For some of you this whole "blogging" thing is kind of new and I am glad you have taken the time to hang out here a bit.  While there are certainly nuances about blogging and the blogging world, one of the basics purposes of the blog is that it helps folks to get to know the writer/s of the blog.  Through a variety of interactions instigated by the blogger's post, the hope is that conversations are had, relationships are built and all who are engaged grow in some way.

Bloggers that I like to read give both snippets of their life and personality as well as more in-depth sharing on a particular subject.  That is why on this blog you will get both random happenings and thoughts as well as more in depth reflections on particular issues.

Because tomorrow Linda, Gradye and I will be releasing the follow-up to our first GA Church Wide Letter, I thought today's Moderator Monday would include a few smaller things.  Feel free to comment as the Spirit moves ya.

Here are FIVE random musings for your reading pleasure:

• CAMP MEMORIES // This past weekend we picked up our eldest child from yet another great week of summer church camp at Westminster Woods.  As we strolled thought the throng of parents waiting to pick up their child, I could not help but to think back to the wonderful and formative experiences I had growing up going to camp.  As I thought back and began to mentally list all the places that I was fortunate to be a part as a youth - Zephyr Point, Camp Cazadero, Valley of the Moon, Mo Ranch -  I couldn't help but give thanks for God's amazing presence through the many ministries of our denominations camps and conferences programs.  From events run by the General Assembly to small youth groups banding together to hold summer camps, my life and faith have been greatly touched by the opportunities to step out of our day-to-day life settings, gather with folks to talk about life and faith and generally take a finite amount of time to recharge for the lifelong journey.  It is a privilege and joy to now see my own children begin to experience the same type of ministry.  What have been your camps and conference memories?

• BLOGGERS // I know this is somewhat dangerous, but here are some of the PC(USA) bloggers that I have been reading as of late.   I know that you all may disagree with some of them, but  if we can't at least listen and try to understand where the other is coming from, we are done.  These are just some that I have been reading because of writing style, topics broached, perspective offered, etc. Carol Howard Merrit, Toby Brown, Steve Salyards, and Presbymergent.  Be sure to read through some of the comments strings as that is where the good stuff is ;-)

• TRAVELS // We are still getting the whole travel thing in line for the next two years.  Thanks for all the invitations.  We will continue to schedule thing out as they appropriate, but it never hurts to get your requests in early.  For info, read the post, Mod or Vice Mod Visit 411.  As far as upcoming travel, tomorrow I head to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Conference in Southern CA and then to Louisville for a week of orientation at The Presbyterian Center.  August has me at the Presbyterian Global Fellowship event in Long Beach, an annual study leave event at Asilomar, CA and a tentative trip to DC for a meeting. If you want to keep up with my travels we have tentatively set up a Google Calendar or join me over on Dopplr.

• VM RECEPTION // The good folks in New Hope Presbytery are hosting a reception for Vice Moderator, Byron Wade, this Saturday, July 19, 3:00-5:00 at Davie Street Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC where Byron serves as pastor.  If you are in the area, swing on by. [FACEBOOK EVENT INVITE]

• HOW ARE YOU FOUND? // One of the ways that many people find the church I serve is through one of the most popular online review sites in San Francisco, Yelp.com.  Through the reviews of MBCC, folks get some idea of what we are like even before attending a service.  Now every context will be different, but what we have done is to go to where people are naturally searching for advice and recommendations about other parts of their life.  As you think about folks finding your community, where do they go to find you?  Where do they go to find advice on other "services"?  Have you met them there?  Why? Why not? How?

Okay enough random things for one post.  Please feel free to comment on anything and I am sure someone else will comment on your comment, and so on and so on an so on.  Also, if you feel like there is something that required more than a few lines of response, please blog it on your blog and send me a trackback and or the link. 

Thanks for hanging out and check back tomorrow for the latest Church Wide letter.

Those blogging presbyteries, where art thou

Does your Presbytery have an active blog like the good folks at Winnebago, Des Moines, Seattle and Minnesota Valleys?  If so, simply leave the link here and I'll add it to the side bar list, "The Blogging Presbyteries."  Be sure to subscribe to the blog and or add a link to your blog or presbytery webpage. 

If you are new to this whole blogging thing, [CLICK HERE] for a kind of Blogging 101 explanation.  And if you want to add anything, please feel free to leave a comment there.  And stay tuned for one of the future Moderator Monday topics will be on this crazy and complex world of blogging.

MODblog remodel, thoughts?

What?!?!? The blog has not been revised in response to election results?  What a slacker.  It was not like there wasn't anything else happening like trying to read, guide and herd 1000 folks at one time.  In any case, over the next week or so, I am going to try to make the transition of the blog from one of Candidacy to the actual position of Moderator.  I suspect there will be some missteps along the way as I blog as Moderator and as the awesome communication folks in The Center and I work out the best way to converge my blogging and current methods of information distribution. Good stuff could come out of it all.

I will be working on the site gradually, but if there is anything that you think MUST be included, deleted, revised, please let me know with a comment. 

Lastly, in the next day or so, I will post my first official letter to the church.  This will be a joint post-GA statement from myself, Linda Valentine (Boss of the things Mission AKA the General Assembly Mission Council) and newly elected Stated Clerk, Gradye Parsons.   While there are many who are filled with much joy and celebration regarding decisions made at this GA, make no mistake that there is a great deal of pain and anger out there in the church, so please lift up this family in prayer as we head into so much that is unknown.
[image: Clemson]

Blogging towards the Minneapolis

Only two years until we meet the 219th General Assembly to be held in Minneapolis.  Hardly enough time to make significant changes in any institution, but certainly enough time to starting building momentum around a great many things.  Obviously one of the things that I hope to do is to figure out new ways to engage with folks in the Web 2.0 world beyond the traditional Official PC(USA) Webpage.  One of the things that I will continue to do is to blog here in my official position as Moderator and over on my other blog for other such nonsense.  This is brand new ground for the denomination, so we will see how it goes.  Baby steps ;-)

Be sure to subscribe to the blog feeds or eMail subscriptions on either blog.  Now off to hang out with 1000 of my newest and closest friends!

[NEW FACEBOOK GROUP]

Some reactions to moi

The best part about blogging and the interactions that are created is that we are given the opportunity to give up the idea that we can - or ever really could - control the flow and sharing of information.   Rather than try to avoid or subdue such interactions, we should embrace and join in on the movement.

While I may not agree with all that is being said, here are some blog reactions to a few of my posts from this blog.

from Bob Davis in response to my post, Can We Agree to Disagree about Homosexuality.

The debates will be much the same as every other previous year, with the calls to Biblical fidelity and the "person-ing" of the issue by those who are excluded. You could almost script them out ahead of time. But, in the end, it will all come down to a vote. And, the vote will be "yes" or "no." And, as along as the vote is "yes" or "no," someone will prevail, someone will not.  We can "agree we disagree," but too much is at stake to leave it at that. READ ON

   

from Deeper In Me Than I in response to How will we be lead?

I read his comments and couldn’t help but recognize myself, and many of my friends, in them. Because the world we live in IS changing, and the church, at is best, is an institution that should be able to respond to and in culture, not against it. The early church molded itself after the culture it was a part of, so that it could work within culture and so that its members could be better witnesses and missionaries to the people amongst whom they lived and worked.  READ ON

from Maria Anderson in response to my post, Can We Agree to Disagree about Homosexuality.

The culture we live in tells us that conflict gets in the way of efficient production, and that efficient production -- good stewardship, if you will -- is what life is all about. If a relationship takes up so much time and energy that you are diverted from your callings, God wants you to be obedient by walking away from that relationship and getting busy with all the things He needs you to DO for Him. We can't sit around arguing our whole lives . . . there are lives to be lived! Right? READ MORE

from Chris Brown, - blog friend and now an in-person one - in response to conversation at The Vault and The Open Door.

I’m not going to summarize everything here, but I will say that I wish him the best in his run for Moderator and pray that God will bless and use him for the good of the Church.  I don’t agree with Bruce about everything - for instance, this issue of homosexuality - but there are a few reasons why I believe the denomination would fair well to have him as Moderator of the GA.  READ ON

from Bob Carlton in response to my post, Can We Agree to Disagree about Homosexuality.

And kudos to bruce reyes chow, for his truthtelling in this post  can we agree to disagree about homosexuality, where he names the reality - that most denoms & assoc of churches just can not even agree on the terms of discussion about ordaining openly gay men & lesbians.  Both "sides" want to scream & yell that this is not the case - all the yelling in the world sounds like  SSSSSShhhhhhhhsshhhhhing to people who see things differently. READ MORE

from itdoesntgetbetterthanthis in reaction to my post, On transparency and leadership.

I decided to blog about it today because I found this post on another blog about transparency and leadership.  He is talking about being honest about his political views, but I think it applies to all bloggin ministers - and believe it or not, there are a lot of them out there. READ MORE

Again, this kind of viral sharing and interaction is at the heart shifting understandings of communication and community.  Surely this way of being does not feel right for everyone, but this is exactly where things are headed, so rather than outright deny or reject the way of being, we should explore ways that this type of communication can enhance the sharing and building up of the faith.

 

 

presbyMEME 5 - Best of

So some of you remember about a month ago I started the PresbyMEME 5 and with surprising aplomb it kind of took off.  So . . . with no other basis other than what I thought was funny, thoughtful or unique here are some of the highlights.

What is your earliest memory of being distinctly Presbyterian?

from Chris Brown
When I was 8, my mom’s next door neighbors were very active Baptists. I had a crush on the girl who lived next door, so I tried to talk her into coming to the Presbyterian church sometime.  She declined.

On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend LESS energy and time?

from More Cows than People
I'm not sure that I think we should spend LESS energy and time on any particular issue or question, but I do think we should spend a different quality of energy or time on most issues and questions. I think we should spend LESS energy and time drawing lines in the sand and fostering distrust among brothers and sisters in Christ. I think we should spend LESS energy and time on tired debates in which no one involved is actually listening because they have their lines rehearsed and have no intention of changing their minds. I think we should spent LESS energy and time pointing fingers and calling names.

On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend MORE energy and time?

from Jessica Patchett
Public witness. Presbyterians have a long history of stepping out and making public confessions of faith and comments into political and social life. I understand that the denomination will continue to be stuck in muck if it tries to come up with a denominational “stance” on every issue in American and global public life. But, the church should spend more time teaching one another about the denomination’s rich history in public life, and equipping one another to make public statements of faith about both the “sacred and the profane”. Ongoing war, increasing class disparity, and a housing crisis, among many other things, are too pressing for us to live in ignorance or in fear of what might happen if we do say something.

If you could have the PC(USA) focus on one passage of scripture for a entire year, what would it be?

from Ruth Everhart
Matthew 6:25-34, “Do not worry about your life,” since anxiety is a number one affliction of our denomination.

If the PC(USA) were an animal what would it be and why?

from Will Jackson
Rather than an animal, I have always thought of the PCUSA being more like an old IROC-Z Camaro I once had (prior to marriage and kids). It was a beautiful piece of machinery that had the capability of working like a marvel, except that it always had something wrong with it. Most of the time, the injection system needed tweeking, or the electrical system had a loose connection somewhere, or the computer was acting up. It took a lot of time and work, but when everything was working together, it could cruise at 90 miles an hour with only the slightest effort. We Presbyterians are sort of like this. We spend a lot time working on ourselves, but every now and then we get in sync. In those times we become a marvel of mission that brings great glory to God.

Extra Credit: Jesus shows up at General Assembly this year, what does he say to the Presbyterian Church (USA)?

from Brian Merritt 
I know that Jesus would say something quite profound and moving. Yet, I am positive that we would all be completely confused and bewildered because he would be speaking in Aramaic. Some of us would call him out of order because he was not on the docket and we were talking about the approval of next years budget.

Well done all.  Thanks for playing!

presbyMEME 5

What do you get when you cross a Presbyterian, a blogger and an extrovert?

You get this dorky post.  Sad, just sad.

If you are a blogger, you are probably on one side or the other on the whole "Meme" thing:

Meme: a list of questions that is passed along from blogger to blogger in order to learn things about people, increase traffic and be annoying to those who never do memes ;-) Think chain letter for blogs, but without any horrible ramifications if you stop it.

Some of us NEVER do them, some will only do them if an actual friend tags us, others never met a meme they didn't like.  I am pretty much in the middle on this one.  I'll do it if it is interesting and/or a friend invites me to do it.

So . . . I thought, what about a Presbyterian Church (USA) specific Meme that would not only draw us into some conversations but also help us learn a little about one another.

[MY ANSWERS]

The rules are pretty basic

• in about 25 words each, answer the following five questions;
• tag five presbyterian bloggers and send them a note to let them know they were tagged;
• be sure to link or send a trackback to this post;

presbyMEME 5

1. What is your earliest memory of being distinctly Presbyterian?
2. On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend LESS energy and time?
3. On what issue/question should the PC(USA) spend MORE energy and time?
4. If you could have the PC(USA) focus on one passage of scripture for a entire year, what would it be?
5. If the PC(USA) were an animal what would it be and why?

Extra Credit: Jesus shows up at General Assembly this year, what does he say to the Presbyterian Church (USA)?

TAGGED: Jim Bonewald, More Cows than People,  Deeper in me than I, BJ Woodworth, Deep Gladness and one bonus: Serendipity.  Also, feel free to self-tag and send me a trackback or a link and I'll add you to the list.

OTHERS: Who have since played:

Mark Smith
Shawn Coons
Akist
Carol Howard Merritt
Tiffany Flaming
Brian Merritt
Jody Harrington
Adam Copeland
Nick Larson
PresbyGal
Landon Winsett
Andrew Tatusko
John Shuck
Holy Vignettes
Ryan Pappan
Neal Locke
Craig
Leslie Veen
Doug Hagler
Will Jackson
Ruth Everhart
Wild and Precious
Steve Chastain
Adam Cleaveland
Lars Rood
Rhett Smith
Mike Gehrling
Brian Wallace
Chris Brown
Matt Bell
Lee Hinson-Hasty
Noelle @ NNPCW
RevDarth
Erin
Jessica Patchett
Viola - Naming His Grace
Greg Bolt

(Please let me know if there are folks I have missed.)

Some good meme blogs/info:

• Google blog search for [presbymeme]
• The Daily Meme
• Quixtar Meme Definition
• Wikipedia on Internet Memes