tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8828995682171386134.post5963308943418314409..comments2023-11-02T01:09:44.521-07:00Comments on A Potter's View: UMC Call to Action Report AssessmentA Potter's Viewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17898836204303969886noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8828995682171386134.post-16526030384380114672011-04-05T08:39:55.269-07:002011-04-05T08:39:55.269-07:00Tim, what do you think about the articles in the G...Tim, what do you think about the articles in the Good News Magazine on the Call to Action? Have you seen them? I believe that interest is beginning to stir in these proposals-- and they need to be the main thing people are talking about as we elect delegates. Robert Sparkman<br />Do you mind if I post your blog on my blog list at umcvital.org?umcvitalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420162500927379882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8828995682171386134.post-57713549565973851832010-12-29T05:31:44.517-08:002010-12-29T05:31:44.517-08:00Daniel, the CTA Manifesto does address seminary ac...Daniel, the CTA Manifesto does address seminary accountability. The CTA Steering Team says that, in order to "become as passionately driven by accountability and results as we are by intentionality," they recommend that the UMC:<br /><br />"Establish preferential relationships with seminaries preparing clergy who are<br />equipped and aligned for higher levels of achievement in leadership related to<br />the key drivers of congregational vitality." (27)<br /><br />This means they want the UMC to emphasize healthy congregations and growth and de-emphasize issues of justice and prophetic witness.<br /><br />The ability to control who is admitted to membership and leadership in an organization is called "The Power of the Gate." <br /><br />Generally the gate swings one way -- allowing people in. It's much harder to show people the door if they are unwilling to leave.<br /><br />And a critical element in controlling the gate is the seminary.Ronald Goetzhttp://www.biblethumpingliberal.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8828995682171386134.post-43762360101200752302010-11-01T21:34:36.588-07:002010-11-01T21:34:36.588-07:00I had two questions. #1 Why has the CTA report, ...I had two questions. #1 Why has the CTA report, as far as I can see, failed to apply accountability standards to the UM seminaries for keeping with the vision of the UMC and exempted them from any responsibility for ineffective pastors and loss of membership?<br />#2 What is meant by the concept that bishops of underperforming will be sanctioned? What will that amount to and who will judge and enforce that?preacherdbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13671894474562089355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8828995682171386134.post-27514509794655292912010-10-27T13:25:59.185-07:002010-10-27T13:25:59.185-07:00Thanks for your thoughts on this. I am struck by ...Thanks for your thoughts on this. I am struck by your comment that The United Methodist Church is a movement, not a structure. I suppose by your explanation that is technically true. But I do not think that statement tells the whole story. The UMC began as a movement. But it seems to me that we are nothing if not a structure at the moment. I think we really, desperately want to be a movement, but all too often our structure gets in the way.<br />Having said that, I do think we need to be clear about the trust issues. I do not think it would be wise to do anything that adds to the distrust in our midst. We have enough trouble with that already.Kathy Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8828995682171386134.post-6090153962558346702010-10-27T08:35:19.282-07:002010-10-27T08:35:19.282-07:00I had no idea that the full report said all of thi...I had no idea that the full report said all of this. In reading the article, it only scratches the surface of the plan that this study is asserting. To me for our broader church to see our boards and agencies as relevant and applicable to the lives of their local congregations, we need a wider base to articulate and carry out the mission, not a smaller base of people that are super excited about this one area. It's great to have passionate experts, but if they can't communicate that to the person in the pew, than there is still a grave disconnect. <br /><br />In communicating a vision and a mission, you've got to have a ton of people on the ground pushing it forward and carrying out. It can't be just something at the top with only the Council of Bishops or a committee of 5. This has to be something that all of the church buys into. It is ridiculous the amount of money we spend on studies and committees when our regular church folk have no idea that any of this is taking place. There has to be an accountability with our larger constiutency. Yes, we need vital questions. Duh. We all know that. But, how this gets brought about is going to take much more than the powers that be making this decision, it's going to have to be communicated and embodied on every level of the church.<br /><br />I'm glad people are having this conversation, but it's got to go much farther than a select few people if it's going to become a reality.Narcie Jeterhttp://narciejeter.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com