Some of you have asked more about my ordination process, so I want to update you. I am really thrilled about the outpouring of support for my ministry here and I do appreciate that many of you are eager to see the process completed. I love working here and look forward to solidifying a long-term arrangement. However, as we are Presbyterians we operate according to our church’s favorite Bible verse, I Cor. 14:40: “All things should be done decently and in order.” At times our polity may seem slow, onerous or even redundant… but Presbyterian polity provides many important checks and balances to prevent abuse of power.
Amidst the flood of horrific news stories in the past few weeks many of you probably missed the story about the struggle at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, a member of the Acts 29 evangelical church network (note: not Presbyterian!). Various complaints were being filed over the years regarding the head pastor Mark Driscoll’s manipulative and coercive leadership style, including his methods of excommunicating and shunning members who disagreed with him. Finally his deception and coercion (not to mention misogyny and bullying) have caught up with him to the point that last week Acts 29 removed Mars Hill from membership in the network, and publically stated that Driscoll needs to receive help and to be removed from the pulpit.
I would not want to gloat over another church’s misfortune but we certainly can learn from it. In the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) we have many systems of accountability that work against such abuses. Pastors are not bosses here, but are accountable to Session and to the local Presbytery. Even the most “powerful” person in our church – the Moderator of General Assembly – is merely a servant of making things run smoothly at the largest committee meeting we have. And while hiring a non-ordained staff member is an act of the congregation, ordination as Teaching Elder (pastor) is an act of the local Presbytery, and pastors are members of Presbytery rather than the congregation. So the circle of discernment is wider… and so is our accountability.
My ordination process is twofold. Much of it has already taken place under the auspices of the New York City Presbytery, where I discerned God’s call to ministry and was supported through my seminary years, internship, several examinations, and other requirements. From my initial desire to be a mission co-worker in Africa, to wanting in short succession to be a seminary professor, then a rural pastor, then a pediatric hospital chaplain, they helped me sort through God’s call and my many adventures on the way. That committee certified me as a “Candidate ready to receive a call” also known as “all but call” or ABC – meaning that I can be ordained as soon as a church calls me to a Pastor position with the agreement of a local Presbytery. The “call” process is now going into the hands of the San Francisco Presbytery. They will work with MPC to fulfill the requirements for calling a pastor – similar to the PNC that called Ben, with the additional requirement that the members of Presbytery also interview and examine the candidate when a new ordination is involved. By the way, an Associate Pastor’s job duties may not be very different from mine as Coordinator for Children, Youth, and Family Life. The main difference is that an Associate Pastor celebrates the Sacraments (communion and baptism), and has voice and vote privileges in Presbytery.
So I’d like to invite you to see it as a spiritual process along with me. Some of you may feel certain already that you would like me to be an Associate Pastor, but we will not rush ahead until our whole circle of accountability feels ready. This may include an update of our Mission Study, considering other candidates, and meetings with the local Committee on Ministry. Together we can let God’s spirit guide us through the process.
Every Blessing,
Talitha