Comments on: Ordination Paperwork in the UMC: A Provocative Proposal

By: Ordination in the UMC: Sermon « Thoughts of Resurrection

Ordination in the UMC: Sermon « Thoughts of Resurrection — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:03:30 +0000

[...] 18, 2010 A few weeks ago, I made a proposal to make publicly available the documents produced by candidates for ministry in The United …. To that end, I have published my Sermon for Admission to Full Connection and Ordination as Elder [...]

By: Ordination in the UMC: Doctrinal Papers « Thoughts of Resurrection

Ordination in the UMC: Doctrinal Papers « Thoughts of Resurrection — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:36:34 +0000

[...] 16, 2010 A few weeks ago, I made a proposal to make publicly available the documents produced by candidates for ministry in The United …. To that end, I have published my doctrinal papers in regard to Theology, Vocation and The Practice [...]

By: JDM

JDM — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:29:59 +0000

Lifelong Methodist…forgive me if I’m misreading, but it almost sounds like you’re saying the congregation approves /disapproves the pastor’s theology. In the UMC, a board of ordained ministry approves whether the candidates theology is in keeping with United Methodist theology (there are boundaries, but freedom as well). The congregation doesn’t choose their leader, the pastor is sent by a bishop & cabinet of Elders.

On the topic in general: I think it’s ironic that we hope & pray for collaboration and teamwork for the kingdom ‘in the body of Christ’, yet we form people in ways that are lasting and less than collaborative or community building.(i.e. individual candidates cramming to study, learn and say everything they think the board wants to hear, that they might be accepted and given a shot at ministry) I also feel that there is a level, not of secrecy, but not forthrightness maybe in sharing our theology. It’s one thing to guard the mysteries of the faith from the uninitiated, and another to ‘not cause a fuss’ with challenging ideas. I think the process for candidate approval needs to be more personal and intentional/relational with a body over time…and not a board for a sitting. The board should get a sense of you, and you of them, by working alongside each other in some context, and not putting on a good face for an afternoon. maybe this would be more indicative of fruitfulness for ministry? I think the sharing of papers/information would be excellent in an archival fashion documenting the theology of the day…and collaborative engagement for the candidates, working off & with each other’s ideas/experiences/discipleship.
grace & peace,
JDM

By: Lifelong Methodist

Lifelong Methodist — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:22:29 +0000

Seriously – People are plagiarizing ordination papers, wow I’m speechless – I sure hope they were thrown unceremoniously out on their ears. It makes one long for the days of Ananias and Sapphira.

But seriously – I love Andrew’s idea, I believe congregations should know their pastors basic theological convictions before being forced to take them on as a Pastor. I think many faithful would be shocked by the content of their clergy’s theological positions.

By: AEL

AEL — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:58:01 +0000

Posting them after the paperwork deadline would seem important to me, for self protection. If there is ANY question of plagiarism, how do you prove which was the original author? Better to come to the board with less than perfect paperwork than to be suspected of cheating. You may think I am being overly cautious or cynical but people try to skirt the process in lots of ways…and the Board doesn’t look kindly on it.

I disagree that without a public forum the papers are going to waste. Hopefully the process of writing them was clarifing and growth-inducing for you, and they will be a marker of your theological development in years to come. You didn’t post all your seminary papers on-line did you? Just you and the instructor read them, does that mean they were all a waste?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:24:07 +0000

I think there would be an interesting cross-section of theological understanding as well as a means of support for this sometimes isolating process (especially since we aspire to be a connectional church).

By: Sarah McQueen

Sarah McQueen — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:18:50 +0000

Interesting to know they have a site like that! I know of an instance where two people plagiarized the same answer from a blog which might be why boards are hesitant for people to post their writing? I’d love to be part of this to see how others are being shaped in their ministry settings!

By: UMJeremy

UMJeremy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:48:14 +0000

I’m turning in mine in a week as well. The Board got rather indignant when I asked about posting them on my blog before I turned them in. Seems it should be by own words not the crafted thoughts of a group. That’s not my sentiment but I respected their process.

There’s a great diversity in responses so I’d be supportive of such a project.