Fare Well?
Last year about this time, I wrote about the yearly transition time in our movement. This year it has hit close to home. My mentor and friend received word that he is on the move. He is doing what our movement calls participating in the "farewell process." This one is hard. It has nothing to do with who is coming to take their place. The successors are smart, gifted and godly. We are glad they are coming!
There has been a relationship, a deep-rooted relationship with he and his wife and our faith community. It has been their vulnerability, and pastoral nature that has encouraged, healed and inspired so many of us. We always are encouraged to finish well. He and his wife never give up on us. In many ways, it seems as if a part of us has been ripped away.
I have lived through this process all of my life. I am not so sure that we fare well all the time in the process. I will love and support the people who come after my mentor. I will encourage others to do the same.
I have been thinking though that this is the way you ought to feel when leaders leave. You ought to rejoice that they are in God's will. You ought celebrate their accomplishments. But you must also grieve. Love does that to you.
Unfortunately, I think all to often, we have hardened ourselves to this process. We have not let people in to influence us or we are cordial, but never really develop love for those with whom we are called to partner in ministry. These guys have made it easy to heal and love.
One of the shortcomings of this system is that people do not attach themselves, because they are afraid of being hurt. They are unwilling to give of themselves or even be themselves. It stings in times like this. Yet, if we are going to really be the community of Christ, we must be vulnerable and trust. That is not easy, but it must be.
I have committed to follow in the path of my mentor. I will be an open book. I will be a people person. I will not mistake authoritarian and autocratic ways for leadership. Leadership comes when you inspire people to love and in so doing follow you as God leads. God needs people like our mentors.
I am praying that those who will be called in the coming days will transition well. I pray that there will be deep bonds of love built because of the transition. I believe that there will be some hurt. I hope that we will not be oblivious to the pain. I hope we will be vulnerable and let people in.
Do we really farewell well? I need to trust that we will. Is this the best system? It is probably not the perfect system, but it is what we have. I am looking for your opinion. What do you think about the system? What has been your experience? What is your feeling about this type of transition?
What do you think?
There has been a relationship, a deep-rooted relationship with he and his wife and our faith community. It has been their vulnerability, and pastoral nature that has encouraged, healed and inspired so many of us. We always are encouraged to finish well. He and his wife never give up on us. In many ways, it seems as if a part of us has been ripped away.
I have lived through this process all of my life. I am not so sure that we fare well all the time in the process. I will love and support the people who come after my mentor. I will encourage others to do the same.
I have been thinking though that this is the way you ought to feel when leaders leave. You ought to rejoice that they are in God's will. You ought celebrate their accomplishments. But you must also grieve. Love does that to you.
Unfortunately, I think all to often, we have hardened ourselves to this process. We have not let people in to influence us or we are cordial, but never really develop love for those with whom we are called to partner in ministry. These guys have made it easy to heal and love.
One of the shortcomings of this system is that people do not attach themselves, because they are afraid of being hurt. They are unwilling to give of themselves or even be themselves. It stings in times like this. Yet, if we are going to really be the community of Christ, we must be vulnerable and trust. That is not easy, but it must be.
I have committed to follow in the path of my mentor. I will be an open book. I will be a people person. I will not mistake authoritarian and autocratic ways for leadership. Leadership comes when you inspire people to love and in so doing follow you as God leads. God needs people like our mentors.
I am praying that those who will be called in the coming days will transition well. I pray that there will be deep bonds of love built because of the transition. I believe that there will be some hurt. I hope that we will not be oblivious to the pain. I hope we will be vulnerable and let people in.
Do we really farewell well? I need to trust that we will. Is this the best system? It is probably not the perfect system, but it is what we have. I am looking for your opinion. What do you think about the system? What has been your experience? What is your feeling about this type of transition?
What do you think?
posted by Larry at 8:30 PM
10 Comments:
It has been a blessed privilege to be able to share a short time of leadership with both - and had it not been for a system which moves around leadership, the opportunity may never have happened.
In such an unusual state of judgment, the weakness of the system can turn around to be a strength.
I have also been inspired by them to continue to seek to be open and irrepressibly encouraging.
St. Benedict in the 6th century, installed an additional standard of evangelical counsel for the monks to which he was abbot. For the monastaries during his time encountered dramatic reform, and to the counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience he added stability.
His words were, "Stay where you are. Physically. Emotionally. Vocationally. Resist the urge and seeking to go 'looking over there' for your own extra fulfillment, glory and spiritual excitement."
The counsel of stability is a necessary componant for a leader, especially when instituted within an organization which shares its leadership with several realms. Be at home - right here - for as long as it can be home. Be at peace here - right here - not looking for the next rung on the ladder or vocational promotion. Be connected here - right here - to the people and circumstances of which you are surrounded.
God's divine work in found within the connection.
The words of St. Benedict reach through the ages and grasps a hold of me, insisting that I be stable where I am. Our divisional leaders brought deep impact in short months because of God-inspired holy stability.
Did you get a chance today to read Commissioner Joe Noland (R)'s most recent post at joenoland.blogspot.com about how he heard about his first appointment change. Amazingly rude treatment - I couldn't quite imagine hearing a change that way, especially knowing how I have initially felt or initially reacted when hearing about a new appointment. I sure wouldn't not have wanted that to have been a public matter.
I saved every one of his "DC's Diary" posts. The inspiration found in his brevity and economy of words is exceptional.
I will always miss them and feel that I am a better leader if I can follow in their example.
Amen Jessie!
So, Jessie, are the "DC's Diary" posts available to share? I'd like the opportunity to read them?
Larry, you said,"Leadership comes when you inspire people to love." So simple and yet so deep. That's a quote I have written down and will aspire to live by.
I'm sorry for your loss in Ohio but can you think of anyone more suited for the Personnel Dept.?
Larry,
I moved a total of 8 times since my commissioning date June 1995 until my resignation date June 2003. I aplogize for listing my "career sheet" of appointments. They were:
Assitant Officer - Ridgewood,NY
Assitatnt Officer - Harlem Temple
Assitant Officer - Manhattan Cit.
Corps Officer, Peekskill, NY
Assitant Officer - Waterbury, CT
Corps Officer - Hartford North End
Corps Officer - Middletown, CT
Assitant Officer - Camden, NJ
As you can see from the list of appointments above, I served within the Tri-state area, New York, Connecticut - my home state -and New Jersey (Jersey was the worst - but I digress). The phone calls from the DC's - Ray Wood, Ivor Rich & Don Hostetler and Norm Wood - to notify me of each move were all similar in nature and tone - like receiving a form letter - not very personal - just business. And as I think back, each time I just happened to answer the office telephone.?
You asked in your post 3 question that stood out to me - "What do you think about the system? - What has been your experience? - What is your feeling about this type of transitioning?
As I think back to these appointments many treasured memories come alive! And I am reminded of how those experiences impacted me then, and how it affects my life today. I get a sense of that early wonder that I experienced so many years ago.
There are 3 officers in particular whose exemlary Christian witness spoke to this then impressionable young, young African-American Officer - I hate being politcally correct! All 3 are scholars and would have been at home in any theological seminary. I took from each of them a lesson in how to model my life.
My job responsibility today is one that requires a great deal of detail and a fair amount of day to day pressure. I'm responsible to process insurance claims in the Pediatric Oncology Department for a major NYC hospital. The practical experience gained at the SFOT, and indeed as an officer, serves to provide me with a semmingly serindipitous work experience. I approach each task with confidence, the result of a strict meditative life, and absolute work ethic. I believe one leads naturally to the next. At the end of the day, and work week, I can honestly say that I've lived up to the demands of my employer, and the expectations of our Lord.
I currently soldier at the Times Square Corps, located steps from the world's busiest corner; many come and go, including those from the street and a few former officers. For me though, it became my new Church "home."
My separation from offiership came as it does for many. In June 2003 I resigned in lieu of filing an immediate divorce. The first year I soldierd at Times Square I kept a low profile, praying simply that God lead me and show me a new path for my life. I wanted to be faceless - take in what God wanted me to receive. When I reminisce upon my officership I often do so by opening up my wallet and looking at my covenant card. I signed it in reverence and complete devotion on June 11, 1995. Although no longer an officer, the words ring true for me today as they did then..."to win souls and to make the salvation of others the first priority of my life." As an active officer that ia all I wanted to do - but somehow/someway all that "other stuff" got in the way.
Larry, my testimony today is that I'm glad I'm a salvation soldier. Moreover, I'm glad I'm a Christian seeking daily to live out the gospel imperative..."Be holy because I an holy."
This may or may not answer your primary question - What do you think? - but i hope it gives you insight as to what this former officer thinks.
What do I think about the system? It would appear to me that the pattern of the book of Acts is one where those who took up new appointments did so by the direction of the Holy Spirit, not by the pronouncement of someone in a hierarchal system (although a farewell or two was hastened due to persecution).
Now how does the Holy Spirit direct? A still, small voice, a nudge, the counsel of a friend, clear scriptural direction, a prophetic dream, a persistent itch that needs scratching, or, as Buechner suggests, a call to where the world's deepest need and our greatest joy intersect.
So my question in response to yours, Larry, is what are the biblical underpinnings of the current system?
It is obvious that most appointments are made based on the needs of the organization, but can there be room for conversation that comes to consensus? Can there be room for a congregation's voice? What if staying was the priority, rather than moving up? imagine a conference with the corps officers, board executive committee, representative staff and soldiers, who would gather around a table and say - first, who are we as a people? Then, how does the current leadership respond to who we are as a people of God in this community?
I would suggest that the current system causes a great deal of pain in the lives of the officers, as well as in the life of the congregation, oftentimes without any warning. I would guess that it is a system that the millenials will not be willing to submit to indefinitely.
The oft-heard phrase - man cannot place me where the Lord cannot use me - is one paradigm. The other side of this is that a person that is mature, knows himself/herself well, and is spiritually open, can have a much better sense of where it is appropriate for them to serve than can an appointment board that has to determine placement for 1000 people.
it is now wednsday so i will share that my wife and i are under farewell orders. The moves haven't been posted so i wont post where i am going (but that is really irrelevant to my post anywat.)
I am a good Weslyan and that effects my understanding of the will of God. i believe that things happen all the time that God has not willed or determined. This means that moves happen that God doesn't agree with.
I also believe that our system stinks in a lot of ways.
but...
I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that i was called to serve God through the instrument of The Salvation Army. That "Call" has been for me a personal affirmation of our movement. (God would not have called and continue to call me to a movement that he doesn't approve of)
At times this system feels a little cold occasionally even broken especially especially when it is effecting us. I will even go as far as saying that we have leaders of have missed the mark in there decision making at times.
but... there's is a task that i do not covet!
If we step outside ourselves and try to look at the larger army mabye just the usa eastern Territory for now. We are spread thin for leadership. People have left the work for one reason or another. the are corps (churches) without officers (pastors) their are people with personal problems and family issues that are requesting moves there are small training sessions graduating there are people retiring and more retiring early.
the system may be broken but it is what we have right now and i don't see any easy solution.
I am moving and i am excited. I Love my current appointment i love the people i feel a great amount of Holy pride abvout the growth and change i have seen but... i recieved the call and after the innitial emotional responce i am excited.
You are right when you say it becomes difficult to attach. Our current system is designed for mobility. It was designed to provide leadership for a rabidly growing movement. that needed flexibility from its leaders. IT was designed at a time when the Army was quickly wrapping its arms around the world.
part of the problem is we have slowed or growth.
But i suspect the a bigger problem is that it is difficult for us to see the big picture and look beyond ourselves (maybe because we miss the mark) There is a reason our leaders feel a person is right for an appointment and they have to look at all the angles.
HS,
I don't believe I "know" you but your last comment that begins, "the oft-heard phrase..." is, in my opinion, Spot On!
Larry, you know that I could go on for days concerning this topic, but I’m actually going to say only one thing:
If we were actually doing the job of discipling our people, raising up leaders, trusting them to also hear the voice of God, and giving them ownership of how local SA ministries were run, the movement of officers wouldn’t matter one iota. In a hierarchical organization that works very hard to elevate officers to the role of Apostle, while insisting on an unspoken “soldiers should be seen and not heard” policy, the current strategy of moving officers so haphazardly has been a major factor in the weakening of and ever growing irrelevance of our local churches. To solve this problem we either need to start raising up strong disciples and trusting them with the “team leadership” of our Corps again, or start doing a better job of preparing officers for ministry, and then leaving them in place for a minimum of ten to fifteen years.
Actually, I’ll add one more thing: I believe that our current “move every five years” system has led to a growing movement of officers who have no “stick-to-it-iveness. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with officers, struggling in their local ministries, whose attitude is basically; “Oh well, another year and I’ll probably be out of here.” No wonder so many of our Corps aren’t going anywhere.
a couple of questions of my own
1. how does our commitment to corporate holiness fit with our own people being blindsided regarding appointment changes
2. why is there so much pain in this?
3. what about appointments that seem as though they will impact the dynamics of a marriage in a negative way?
I'm more and more troubled with the response: God is in control. Of course God is in control, but God is in control in cancer, accidents, and rape as well, isn't He?
I wonder if that is too easy a rationalization for a system that has its flaws?? Don't get me wrong - I understand why we say it, and why we ultimately have to come to the place where we believe it, but it keeps us as an organization from doing the hard work of figuring this out.
I find it ironic that William and Catherine and their heirs created a system that they were not willing to submit to themselves (i.e., Methodist New Connexion), and were willing to sacrifice their family to (Maude and Ballington, etc). The dysfunction was there in the beginning . . .
So why are we OK with the system as it stands?
Good points HS and I too think the “God is in control” answer is based on weak theology. As you’ve pointed out, God is ultimately in control when somebody gets cancer, but is anybody willing to say that it was God who gave it to them? God grants free will and we, as humans, often use that freedom to make some pretty bad decisions.
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