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PNCs, watch the TLAs! —  Searching for a call or seeking a pastor in the PC(USA)

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I am back in an active search for another position. It has been 20 years since I was in the call process and a lot has changed. One thing that has not changed is Presbyterians’ love of TLAs. It is baffling when a congregational search committee uses acronyms that refer to local programs. The congregation I’m leaving, for example, offers ASAP, the After School Activities Program. It’s a great program and is accurately named, but it is not helpful to refer to it only by its initials. Likewise, local Presbyterians know that “SLAP” stands for Synod of Lakes and Prairies. (Being on the SLAP permanent judicial commission sounds like a position of real authority!) In the search process there are only three TLAs whose meaning can be assumed: PIF (Personal Information Form, what candidates send out to churches), MIF (Ministry Information Form, the congregational equivalent of PIFs) and PNC (Pastoral Nominating Committee). All other sets of initials should be defined. TLA stands for … [Read more...]

A family systems approach to parking lot meetings

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I  recently Googled the term “parking lot meeting” and discovered something surprising. A number of business and communication instructors currently employ this term positively rather than pejoratively. They use the term to describe a listening technique by which the meeting’s leader addresses important sidebar issues that surface in the meeting – but are not on the official agenda – by placing such issues in a “parking space.” The leader assures those who raised these concerns that they will either be addressed later in that meeting or at a later date.  For years, family systems theorists have employed the term “parking lot meetings” in a more pernicious way. I now offer my definition of parking lot meetings from a family systems perspective:  “Parking lot meetings” refer to private conversations that take place either before or after an organization’s official meeting or event where select persons of similar opinions discuss concerns about that organization and/or its leaders … [Read more...]

Tagged With: family systems theory

What’s right about Providence Presbyterian Church?

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Providence Presbyterian Church — Gum Spring, Virginia Our historic, wood-frame structure has been in continuous use as a house of worship since 1747. But the brightly colored playground equipment situated directly behind the old sanctuary perhaps symbolizes what is most “right” about Providence. Our small, multigenerational congregation is dedicated to including children in the church’s life, as well as to serving the children of our neighbors, both near and far. Our “Backpack Blessings” program assists local children who are at risk of hunger when school is not in session. Last year, we offered a blessing as the youth returned to school and collected an offering that will provide over 20 students at La Gonave School in Haiti with lunch for the entire school year. For the last 29 years, Providence has also hosted and supported a vibrant, weekday preschool. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them” (Matthew 19:14a). The good folks of Providence have … [Read more...]

Maria Ikan

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Maria Ikan was a long-time mission partner in the Philippines. She served 60 years. Even after her retirement she was assigned to an outreach ministry in the remote area of Guyong. She had to walk to get there. She was one of eight heroes honored at the quadrennial General Assembly of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in May. She died in April — three days after she learned of her selection. Her children said she was “filled with joy at the news of her selection.” … [Read more...]

The World Council is a fact (70 years ago)

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70 Years Ago — September 13, 1948 The World Council of Churches met for the first time in August 1948. “For ten years, during which the war intervened, the Provisional Committee has been working in preparation for this organizational meeting. It wrought wonders in service and the maintenance of inter-church relationships during the war and in concerting a prodigious amount of preparatory study by church leaders over the world. But at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 23, 1948, when 1,450 representatives of 151 churches from 42 nations voted with spontaneous unanimity and thunderous applause to constitute the World Council, the committee’s labors were crowned and the prayers of thousands answered.” They understood the difficulties “arising from differing points of view among the constituent churches and … that an ecumenical organization is only a means and not an end. Yet the atmosphere of hope and determination now prevailing in Amsterdam … bespeak a will to unity which can surmount all … [Read more...]

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