Excellence in Ministry #umbom14 – Reflections from Day 3
Yesterday was Day 3 of the BOM Mid Quad Training Event in Denver. In the morning we heard from two different panels with Val Hastings, Founder and President of Coaching4Clergy as Moderator.
Panel 1: Developing Effective Leaders
Fred Allen, National Director, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century
Ted Campbell, Associate Professor of Church History, Perkins School of Theology
Gail Ford Smith, Director, Center for Clergy Excellence, Texas Annual Conference
Panel 2: The Role of Supervision in Developing Effective Leaders
Bishop Cynthia Harvey, Louisiana Episcopal Area
Rev. Dr. Tom Choi, District Superintendent, California-Pacific Annual Conference
Rev. Dr. Candace Lansberry, District Superintendent, Desert Southwest Annual Conference
In the afternoon we were divided among table groups with a mix of people both geographically and in role (Board Chair, Vice-Chair, DS, etc.). We were given case studies of situations which a Board of Ordained Ministry may face and engage in conversation and reflection about what actions, motivations and next steps. In the evening, we went out to eat as a Great Plains team with one of our Iliff seminary students.
Here are some of my takeaways from the day:
Many early Methodist leaders would likely have faced significant challenges moving through the process with a Board of Ordained Ministry today.
Regarding the divide / friction / boundary between cabinet and Board of Ordained Ministry:
It is common across many annual conferences.
The Judicial Council decisions around this matter center around fair / due process.
Agreement around a common goal can significantly dissolve anxiety and build trust
Systems, processes and strategies are bound by time and place. They are not effective forever.