Postkiwi

I spent last night at the Uniting Church’s national Assembly, held at University of Queensland in Brisbane. I was part of a team presenting a report and proposal relating to ’specified ministries’ in the future of the Uniting Church in Australia. We proposed that we simplify the ways in which we appoint people to non-ordained ministries in the Uniting Church. Instead of having lay pastors, community ministers, youth workers, lay assistants, and many other non-recognised positions, we suggested that we have just one category, ‘pastor’, alongside the ordained minister of the Word and deacon.

We’re suggesting that we lower the bar for people entering the ministry of ‘pastor’, rather than requiring a year of discernment before someone can be commissioned. At the same time, we’re suggesting raising the bar on competence so that people grow in character and skill during their time working with the Church.

We began our report with a video role play in which Ennis and I presented the scenarios of Helen and Gary in 2012. Here’s the script…

Helen

Hi. I’m Helen, and it’s the year 2012. I’ve been a pastor with the Uniting Church for four years now.

It all started when I applied for a position working with a regional church, focusing on youth, children and families.

When I was interviewed for the position I was able to demonstrate the skills I brought to the job. I had some experience in the field from my time working as a teacher aid and school chaplain.

In the first month I attended a course on ethics run by the Presbytery. I followed that up in a small group working through Uniting Church ethos and the Basis of Union.

The good thing is the church is helping me with a training program and a budget to match. We’ve put together a performance development plan using competencies designed for my kind of position. Each year we’ve identified skills I can work on, like keeping up to date on family systems, risk management and Biblical studies. This year I trained as a coach so I could support volunteers.

My supervisor’s a deacon working in a community family centre, and she’s helping me explore my sense of long term call to the wider church. In fact this week the Presbytery signed me up to begin a period of discernment, looking at ordination.

It’s been four years of growth for me and the church. I’ve appreciated being recognised and supported by the Presbytery. And it has been good having colleagues with whom I can be accountable for ministry.

Gary

Gidday I’m Gary, in the year 2012. I’ve been a Pastor here at Warambah Uniting Church since I left my job as draughtsman three years ago.

I do a fair bit of preaching, leading of worship, looking after community funerals. I’m supporting local leaders as they carry out their week-to-week ministry. After some training through Coolamon College I was accredited to lead communion and baptism.

A lot of my time is spent connecting the church with the local community. We’ve had conversations with the local mining companies and we’re looking at the possibility of me spending a day a week providing support for mining families.

The good thing about being appointed as a Pastor is the support from the Presbytery. Just last week my supervisor helped me identify the skills I’ll need to develop for working in the mining environment. I’m doing a bit of reading and attending a couple of courses in August.

I’m part of a support group of other people in ministry, though most of our meetings are held on the phone. I keep in touch with the Resource minister for our area. Having a broadband internet connection has opened up new possibilities for coaching.

Being a Pastor has been a positive experience. I’ve appreciated being recognised and supported by the Presbytery. And it has been good having colleagues with whom I can be accountable for ministry.