News for Probationary Clergy
Thursday, September 18, 2008
If you read this blog, you probably know that I am a big believer in Covenant Discipleship. As a contemporary expression of the early Methodist class meeting, Covenant Discipleship offers the church a small group format where we can learn how to 'watch over one another in love' and pursue holiness of both heart & life.
The real force behind Covenant Discipleship now is Steve Manskar, who is the Director of Accountable Discipleship at the GBOD in Nashville. I mention that because Dr. Manskar, along with Dr. Paul Chilcote of Ashland Theological Seminary, will be leading a Wesleyan Pilgrimage Group made up of Probationary clergy in May of 2010. I mention that for two reasons: first, because if you are a probationary elder or deacon (or if you will be one by then), you should really think about going. From my own experiences in England, visiting Christ Church and Lincoln Colleges at Oxford, the Epworth rectory, the New Room in Bristol, and City Road Chapel in London (where Wesley is buried), I can tell you that 'being there' is quite an experience that can connect you to your heritage.
And the second reason to bring this up is because, as this announcement points out, the GBOD and GBHEM are trying to raise money to subsidize the trip for young clergy through a Wesley Pilgrimage Scholarship Fund. It's an expensive proposition, and if you have extra money, donating some could help your poorer brothers and sisters take a pilgrimage that would be formative for their ministry.
Labels: Covenant Discipleship, Steve Manskar
posted by Andrew C. Thompson at 8:32 PM
5 Comments:
If only I were far enough along in the process.
:(
I know that the Western PA conference always did this with their "probationary clergy." It seems like a great idea, especially because the majority of clergy do not come from UMC seminaries and have little contact with Wesleyan tradition. It will be also good for them to see that even in the UK non-ordained "probationary clergy" do not celebrate the sacraments. They can witness true itinerrency, presbyters going from church to church celebrating sacraments and local preachers restricted to preaching duties. The differences between the UMC and British connections are significant. The conceptions of ecclesiology and the ordained ministry say a lot of where the UMC is now and where it once was. On the flip side they can see the utter decline of church attendence and the decline of Christianity in Western Europe. There they will find the new mission field. Jeff
I should have mentioned this in the post. My bishop is leading all the clergy who have been ordained since he became bishop of Arkansas on a trip to the Holy Land this January (the trip is significantly subsidized). I think he is doing it both to provide new elders and deacons with a good continuing ed opportunity as well as showing his commitment to young adult clergy. I think it's a pretty great idea.
So I can't find where to sign up!
I don't think the actual sign-ups have begun yet. I think that website they put up is mostly to get the word out about fundraising purposes. I'll keep an eye out for sign-ups when they do begin and publicize them through the blog.
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