Continuing our conversation about questions that were raised at the Michigan Area School for Pastoral Ministry
Question: Who is the pastor to pastors? Will the conference ever consider having someone to confide in that doesn't have connection to (the) appointment process?
Dobbs: When I was serving as a local pastor, I always thought that my “pastor” – the one to whom I looked for spiritual guidance and support – was my District Superintendent. Sometimes that worked out well and sometimes not so well. The “well” or “not so well” component was most often an indicator of the strength of our relationship.
Those superintendents that I could relate to — the ones that were open to having that kind of a relationship with me (and I could always tell, no matter what their lips said) — were the ones who really were my “pastor.”
I called out to them in times of illness or family hardship or church struggles, and they were there – by thought or word or deed.
Words I have heard from others suggest that many of you have had similar experiences with your DS.
And yes, I knew that they were sharing things that were happening in my family with the Bishop, but I always assumed that the Bishop cared for my family and I even if he or she did not always know my name.
At the same time, I know that not all of you have had the same kind of experiences, either with your DS or your Bishop. To you I would tell you that your pastor can be someone you choose who will agree to provide spiritual guidance and support, someone who will listen and offer helpful feedback as you seek to grow as a person and as a pastor.
Many of you may recognize that I have given you an incomplete description of a Spiritual Guide or Advisor, and some of you have already established a relationship with your own Spiritual Guide. That can be a truly helpful thing, and I would encourage you to continue building that relationship.
I cannot speak to what an annual conference might do in the future, but annual conferences can do whatever they wish regarding the employment and job descriptions of personnel, so long as it is not specifically prohibited in the Discipline.
Question: How can Bishop Keaton’s pastors express both their support and affection for him without appearing to simply be currying favor (sucking up)?
Dobbs: As I serve in this office, I see and hear many things that come across my desk or across the screen of my computer. Perhaps you can imagine, but you might be surprised.
I have come to believe that the most important thing clergy and laity can do for their Bishop is to pray for him. Even as I say that I know it sounds like a cliché and I don’t mean it to be so.
I believe in prayer! I believe in the power of prayer!
I believe that Christians cannot be Christians without prayer and I am convinced that Bishops cannot be Bishops without prayer either. If you are praying for Bishop Keaton and God prompts you to send a note about something in your prayer, trust the Holy Spirit and send the note. Be honest. Remember that if it is from God, it will bear the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23) and not the works of the flesh (Galatians 5: 19-21).
Next month, we will discuss whether “there any conversations within the UMC regarding the time between sessions of General Conference and the inability of the church to respond to a rapidly changing culture” and “what I envision for future pastorates trying to deal with the high costs of pensions, health insurance, etc. for congregations.”
If you would like to submit a question, please write me: bdobbs@miareaumc.org.
Thanks for letting me share this time with you.
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