As I typed an email to a younger Colleague who is beginning his first pastoral call, I realized that I was spilling my guts blogstyle... so... from the Interim Ministry Pilgrim, Bob.
Hey Brian - I wanted you to know that you are in my prayers as you begin your ministry in Vineland this weekend. I remember my first call and I think I was mostly afraid that people would discover that i didn't know what I was doing. I discovered that I did, in fact know what I was doing. What I didn't know was what I had gotten myself into! Then,and year after year of this ministry. Ministry is so much bigger than me, so much about the Spirit breezing around with apparent randomness and wonder, that it leaves me breathless and in awe. And sometimes wishing I could control God more so I'd feel better and get better personal "press"!
And thus concludes my Blog for the morning!
God Bless You, my friend!!
Friday, November 12, 2004
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
I just finished reading Margaret Wheatley's book, Turning to One Another. Her premise is basic: Once people start having conversations (not just talk at each other) we develop relationships, then community, then peace. Once we know someone's story it is more difficult to fight with them. Hmmm. I guess even in families that may hold true! Knowing the story certainly does help the family/community begin to define boundaries and values by which we will live, love, and fight.
I think her volume is worth reading for interim ministry practicioners because it gets at a high value for congregational study (from Bob's perspective, anyway) that getting the community into dialogue, conversation, is a critical support for the congregation's transitional dynamics (read: Developmental Tasks). See also the new book by Alice Mann and Gil Rendle, Holy Conversations - a congregational study approach that includes conversation as a key element of "data". Yes, finally someone values narrative approach and the risks and excitement of qualatative data.
So anyway, last night I ate supper at Appleby's and took a cue from the book by talking to the server using a different type of conversation starter - I asked her what dreams she had... she responded for her life, career and then I pushed her to ask what kind of person she wanted to become...
We could also ask: what surprises have you had this week? What goals have you accomplished? Are you any closer to finishing one? What do you like about clouds? so go ahead, make some up...
So, after my brief experiment, I realized that if she (actually two shes - there was a servier in training as well) it could lead to a more extended conversation that could include faith and witness. They were "on the clock" and that isn't fair!
So, what has surprised you this week?
Copyright Bob Anderson May 4, 2004
I think her volume is worth reading for interim ministry practicioners because it gets at a high value for congregational study (from Bob's perspective, anyway) that getting the community into dialogue, conversation, is a critical support for the congregation's transitional dynamics (read: Developmental Tasks). See also the new book by Alice Mann and Gil Rendle, Holy Conversations - a congregational study approach that includes conversation as a key element of "data". Yes, finally someone values narrative approach and the risks and excitement of qualatative data.
So anyway, last night I ate supper at Appleby's and took a cue from the book by talking to the server using a different type of conversation starter - I asked her what dreams she had... she responded for her life, career and then I pushed her to ask what kind of person she wanted to become...
We could also ask: what surprises have you had this week? What goals have you accomplished? Are you any closer to finishing one? What do you like about clouds? so go ahead, make some up...
So, after my brief experiment, I realized that if she (actually two shes - there was a servier in training as well) it could lead to a more extended conversation that could include faith and witness. They were "on the clock" and that isn't fair!
So, what has surprised you this week?
Copyright Bob Anderson May 4, 2004
Sunday, May 02, 2004
Last week at our Pittsburgh Seminary Interim Education Program, I came across a copy of a monograph about the cerlgy spouse called "Shadow Dancing". I didn't read it - I suppose it is about how the minister's spouse must grapple with the problems and opportunities of living in the shadow of the pastor - spouse. The image of shadow dancing did not leave me however.
I'm in between moves right now and my books are stored in boxes in the garage attic. But somewhere is a copy of a book entitled, The Shadow Side. It might be by Jay Congers but I'm not certain. At any rate, he recounts in theory and cases study that effective leaders are often undermined by their "shadow side: - that's the part of myself that I may not see (and you might!); that part of myself that lies quietly under the surface and breaks forth in tumultuous disarray when scratched by stress, criticism, or other combinations of life's underside.
In my classes I make a big deal about the need to be self aware. Only then will we catch the glimses of this shadow as it rears up to undo some, if not all, of the good that I have managed with God's grace.
So shadow boxing is a leadership art of the inner heart. Shadow boxing is not about beating down, it is about knowing where the shadow is, to puch and jab, to keep it at bay. I will never have a knock out punch with my shadow, but if I can get to know my shadow, I can live with it in a way that helps and doesn't hinder.
The more I live in healthy ways in my relationships, inner needs of the ego, sexuality, physical health, the better I am able to live an integrated life. And in that is integrity. At least then the shadows will be short and easier to manage!
Copyright May 2, 2004
I'm in between moves right now and my books are stored in boxes in the garage attic. But somewhere is a copy of a book entitled, The Shadow Side. It might be by Jay Congers but I'm not certain. At any rate, he recounts in theory and cases study that effective leaders are often undermined by their "shadow side: - that's the part of myself that I may not see (and you might!); that part of myself that lies quietly under the surface and breaks forth in tumultuous disarray when scratched by stress, criticism, or other combinations of life's underside.
In my classes I make a big deal about the need to be self aware. Only then will we catch the glimses of this shadow as it rears up to undo some, if not all, of the good that I have managed with God's grace.
So shadow boxing is a leadership art of the inner heart. Shadow boxing is not about beating down, it is about knowing where the shadow is, to puch and jab, to keep it at bay. I will never have a knock out punch with my shadow, but if I can get to know my shadow, I can live with it in a way that helps and doesn't hinder.
The more I live in healthy ways in my relationships, inner needs of the ego, sexuality, physical health, the better I am able to live an integrated life. And in that is integrity. At least then the shadows will be short and easier to manage!
Copyright May 2, 2004
Thursday, April 29, 2004
Digging in God's Garden...
It is said that we live in an age of fast change, rapidly changing technology, quick turnarounds; we live at the speed of change says the title of a management book in my library. That’s true I guess, but those who ride to work each day on SEPTA's rapid transit system tell me otherwise!
We like speed. 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. But despite our penchant for fast, life is not always so. Most of our life and living is one of time stretched long. My first born took nine months of careful formation before he was ready to be born. He’s pushing 30 now. And he is still being formed into a new person every day. Everything in its time, the psalmist says. Maybe I have to learn to respect process. After all it take God six days to create the universe. And even if those six days are literally six 24 hours days, God did it in six days, not one; 144 hours, not one; God created over time, not in an instant. And maybe that is more the point of the creation story. This is not about how fast God created. This is a wise story that tells us that all creative living takes time. Creative, vibrant living is a process.
I don’t always respect process. When I lived in Boston in the 70’s, the church manse had a big yard for a city house. So, I dug myself my first garden since high school. I planted my radishes, carrots, lettuce, Swiss Chard, tomatoes and zucchini. After the seeds were planted, I read the little packages and they informed me that it would take six days to see the first tinge of green that would become lettuce. Carrots would take 28 days. I’m hungry, now - not later!
That’s when I learned my life lesson about process. Each day, I would visit my sleeping garden to see if there were signs of seeds waking up! After a few days of this boring observation, I decided to see what activity there was under the soil. I dug down carefully around some planted area. Aha – a seed! It was moist and cracked! A little sliver of plant tendril had burst through. I did this again and again. When I told my father in law, the consummate gardener, he told me, “You know, if you keep doing that you won’t have any plants. If you mess with the process, you can kill the plant”.
Life is a process. Each relationship and congregation, a tendril of green bursting into a new future every day, each Sunday, fertilized by worship, preaching and the sacraments. Protected by the plowing, etching, weeding – the cultivation of pastors toiling in the Garden of God. No 0-60 in 4.6 here. No 3 minute miles. Only the tender hand of God carefully forming frail garden clay into people after God’s own image.
Given that, the effective interim pastoral leader will always have some dirt under their nails. I think of the parable that Jesus used to help us understand life with God. God's ways are like seeds. Each seed contains a plant, a fruit, a way that sustains life, within it. Some seeds end up on rocky soil and get burned by the hot sun. Other seeds fall on good soil but are choked out by thorns, thisles and entangling weeds. Yet other seeds of life fall on the tilled, fertile soil of a soul ready to nourish this new life. Here's process. Rocks can be cleared and hardpan clay softened with humus. Thorns, thistles, weeds, are difficult but not impossible. Tough work, this Garden of God we call the Church.
But, what about my soul's soil? I'm thinking that maybe effective interim leadership needs to begin with the process of developing fertile soil in my inner life. Effective leadership will be revealed as the fruit of my inner life. I may be able to lead people in a technical way, but to lead people as a pastoral leader means head and heart, technical and pastoral, must be integrated. And that is a process that means diggin in the dirt - soil - of my own life. Weeds, thorns, rocks, clay - these are in me, too. Prepare my heart, O God.
Digging in God's Garden - a faithful calling - for this is truly Holy Ground.
Copyright, Bob Anderson, April 29, 2004
It is said that we live in an age of fast change, rapidly changing technology, quick turnarounds; we live at the speed of change says the title of a management book in my library. That’s true I guess, but those who ride to work each day on SEPTA's rapid transit system tell me otherwise!
We like speed. 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. But despite our penchant for fast, life is not always so. Most of our life and living is one of time stretched long. My first born took nine months of careful formation before he was ready to be born. He’s pushing 30 now. And he is still being formed into a new person every day. Everything in its time, the psalmist says. Maybe I have to learn to respect process. After all it take God six days to create the universe. And even if those six days are literally six 24 hours days, God did it in six days, not one; 144 hours, not one; God created over time, not in an instant. And maybe that is more the point of the creation story. This is not about how fast God created. This is a wise story that tells us that all creative living takes time. Creative, vibrant living is a process.
I don’t always respect process. When I lived in Boston in the 70’s, the church manse had a big yard for a city house. So, I dug myself my first garden since high school. I planted my radishes, carrots, lettuce, Swiss Chard, tomatoes and zucchini. After the seeds were planted, I read the little packages and they informed me that it would take six days to see the first tinge of green that would become lettuce. Carrots would take 28 days. I’m hungry, now - not later!
That’s when I learned my life lesson about process. Each day, I would visit my sleeping garden to see if there were signs of seeds waking up! After a few days of this boring observation, I decided to see what activity there was under the soil. I dug down carefully around some planted area. Aha – a seed! It was moist and cracked! A little sliver of plant tendril had burst through. I did this again and again. When I told my father in law, the consummate gardener, he told me, “You know, if you keep doing that you won’t have any plants. If you mess with the process, you can kill the plant”.
Life is a process. Each relationship and congregation, a tendril of green bursting into a new future every day, each Sunday, fertilized by worship, preaching and the sacraments. Protected by the plowing, etching, weeding – the cultivation of pastors toiling in the Garden of God. No 0-60 in 4.6 here. No 3 minute miles. Only the tender hand of God carefully forming frail garden clay into people after God’s own image.
Given that, the effective interim pastoral leader will always have some dirt under their nails. I think of the parable that Jesus used to help us understand life with God. God's ways are like seeds. Each seed contains a plant, a fruit, a way that sustains life, within it. Some seeds end up on rocky soil and get burned by the hot sun. Other seeds fall on good soil but are choked out by thorns, thisles and entangling weeds. Yet other seeds of life fall on the tilled, fertile soil of a soul ready to nourish this new life. Here's process. Rocks can be cleared and hardpan clay softened with humus. Thorns, thistles, weeds, are difficult but not impossible. Tough work, this Garden of God we call the Church.
But, what about my soul's soil? I'm thinking that maybe effective interim leadership needs to begin with the process of developing fertile soil in my inner life. Effective leadership will be revealed as the fruit of my inner life. I may be able to lead people in a technical way, but to lead people as a pastoral leader means head and heart, technical and pastoral, must be integrated. And that is a process that means diggin in the dirt - soil - of my own life. Weeds, thorns, rocks, clay - these are in me, too. Prepare my heart, O God.
Digging in God's Garden - a faithful calling - for this is truly Holy Ground.
Copyright, Bob Anderson, April 29, 2004
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Part of our house renovation this year is to build a garage and tear down our rotting shed out back. The garage is built. Yesterday I finished my shed destruction.
Underneath the rubble I found an old plastic trash bag filled with leaves - they were leaves, anyway. Now the bag is filled with rich compost of humble humus.
The word "humble" has the same roots as humus... to be close to the ground... maybe it's humility that we are looking for when we say to somebody, "get grounded"... or "earth to Bob, where are you?" ( I hear that when I start thinking too much!). Another version of humility might be the common, "get real!" I never thought of those phrases as connected with humility.
But these phrases do remind us to stay connected, stay close to the ground, to stay located, not lost in oneself in a way that disconnects. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of humility in Philippians 2. He connects the life of Jesus as one that is humble and describes it as a kind of "emptying" of personal power and any divine perogatives.
In interim ministry leadership, my goal is to help a congregation find its own "voice". That will empower them to do mission, be effective in their goals, to be and to do what God is calling them to be and to do. BUt as a transitional leader, if I stay full of myself (if I were your permanent pastor, I would...), if I can't let go my own preferences (why don't they like contemporary worship? They are nuts!), if I focus on my needs (if they don't come to terms with the last pastor's beloved status, I'm out of here) then I'm filling all the creative space with Bob and not the whole people of God.
Parker Palmer, somewhere in his book, The Courage to Teach, writes about this vtopic as a teaching challenge. When a teachersempty themselves of their own agendas, then they are creating space for the student (congregation?) to explore on their own terms, to discover their voice, to learn.
This is risky of course. Letting go of my way of teaching, leading, programming, means I let go of power to empower others. And of course that is exactly what Jesus did. He emptied himself and created new space for a new kind of life and a new kind of people, a new way of being and doing. He let go of the power that was his by "authority" and shared it with the world, with me.
That is humility. Good stuff grows in humus, but it takes the death and decay of nature to share the inner new life with the world.
Bob Anderson April 21, 2004
Underneath the rubble I found an old plastic trash bag filled with leaves - they were leaves, anyway. Now the bag is filled with rich compost of humble humus.
The word "humble" has the same roots as humus... to be close to the ground... maybe it's humility that we are looking for when we say to somebody, "get grounded"... or "earth to Bob, where are you?" ( I hear that when I start thinking too much!). Another version of humility might be the common, "get real!" I never thought of those phrases as connected with humility.
But these phrases do remind us to stay connected, stay close to the ground, to stay located, not lost in oneself in a way that disconnects. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of humility in Philippians 2. He connects the life of Jesus as one that is humble and describes it as a kind of "emptying" of personal power and any divine perogatives.
In interim ministry leadership, my goal is to help a congregation find its own "voice". That will empower them to do mission, be effective in their goals, to be and to do what God is calling them to be and to do. BUt as a transitional leader, if I stay full of myself (if I were your permanent pastor, I would...), if I can't let go my own preferences (why don't they like contemporary worship? They are nuts!), if I focus on my needs (if they don't come to terms with the last pastor's beloved status, I'm out of here) then I'm filling all the creative space with Bob and not the whole people of God.
Parker Palmer, somewhere in his book, The Courage to Teach, writes about this vtopic as a teaching challenge. When a teachersempty themselves of their own agendas, then they are creating space for the student (congregation?) to explore on their own terms, to discover their voice, to learn.
This is risky of course. Letting go of my way of teaching, leading, programming, means I let go of power to empower others. And of course that is exactly what Jesus did. He emptied himself and created new space for a new kind of life and a new kind of people, a new way of being and doing. He let go of the power that was his by "authority" and shared it with the world, with me.
That is humility. Good stuff grows in humus, but it takes the death and decay of nature to share the inner new life with the world.
Bob Anderson April 21, 2004
Friday, January 09, 2004
Can't believe it's been since September since I thought of this. Now I am in exiting mode. A new pastor has been selected and one of the tricky tasks now is to keep the congregation moving toward a welcoming "embrace" of the new pastor while helping them also say goodbye to me. That's usually more wearing on me than them! Staying engaged and energized while interviewing for new positions, packing and moving is very tricky and tiring.
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