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Hi Doug-- Thanks for adding your note about the supervision of retired ministers of the word. As you say, retired ministers retain ministerial privileges and remain under the supervision of the councils that hold their credentials. Church order article 18b puts it this way:
"A retired minister shall retain the title of minister of the Word and the authority, conferred by the church, to perform official acts of ministry. Supervision shall remain with the church last served unless transferred to another congregation. The supervising church shall be responsible for providing honorably for the minister’s support and that of qualifying dependents according to synodical regulations."
In addition to all the good things mentioned above, many of us pastors from Classis Grand Rapids North knew Pastor Jerome as a mentor, particularly in prayer, ministry among the marginalized, and discipleship. I met weekly with Pastor Jerome for prayer and his prayers always gave the distinct impression that there was no place or posture he'd rather be than prayer and no person he'd rather be talking with than God. Very practically, Pastor Jerome accompanied me on my first (and second) visits to see parishioners in the county jail, showing me how to navigate an otherwise intimidating and confusing system. And it was Pastor Jerome who most clearly articulated and demonstrated the importance of 1-1 discipleship and leadership development. I've never met a pastor who believed so firmly that the responsibility to raise up leaders for the church was his and could not be given over entirely to formal educational institutions. - Sean Baker
Each classis has a lot of discretion in how they choose delegates to Synod. There are non-negotiable requirements (office-bearers in good standing), but after that, there is much freedom. Some classes have a rotation of churches; some simply take a vote among willing delegates. I'll be interested to see if your post solicits any other approaches.
I can guess at the reason why Classis Wisconsin would have such a rule. (mostly, that Synod is a fairly complex system and the classis may want to make sure their delegates have some experience in the similarly complex classis structure before being delegated to Synod). But you should ask.
It's pretty common for a classis to assume that everyone understands why and how they do things. But often, that is not the case. People who respectfully ask questions are a great gift to classis. If you are wondering about this, I'm sure others are too. If your stated clerk cannot provide an answer, perhaps the interim or executive committee could give you the context.
Posted in: Holding Your Minister's Credentials
Hi Doug-- Thanks for adding your note about the supervision of retired ministers of the word. As you say, retired ministers retain ministerial privileges and remain under the supervision of the councils that hold their credentials. Church order article 18b puts it this way:
"A retired minister shall retain the title of minister of the Word and the authority, conferred by the church, to perform official acts of ministry. Supervision shall remain with the church last served unless transferred to another congregation. The supervising church shall be responsible for providing honorably for the minister’s support and that of qualifying dependents according to synodical regulations."
Posted in: The Gift of Pastor Jerome
In addition to all the good things mentioned above, many of us pastors from Classis Grand Rapids North knew Pastor Jerome as a mentor, particularly in prayer, ministry among the marginalized, and discipleship. I met weekly with Pastor Jerome for prayer and his prayers always gave the distinct impression that there was no place or posture he'd rather be than prayer and no person he'd rather be talking with than God. Very practically, Pastor Jerome accompanied me on my first (and second) visits to see parishioners in the county jail, showing me how to navigate an otherwise intimidating and confusing system. And it was Pastor Jerome who most clearly articulated and demonstrated the importance of 1-1 discipleship and leadership development. I've never met a pastor who believed so firmly that the responsibility to raise up leaders for the church was his and could not be given over entirely to formal educational institutions. - Sean Baker
Posted in: Eligibility of Ministerial Delegates to Synod?
Young-Kwang,
Each classis has a lot of discretion in how they choose delegates to Synod. There are non-negotiable requirements (office-bearers in good standing), but after that, there is much freedom. Some classes have a rotation of churches; some simply take a vote among willing delegates. I'll be interested to see if your post solicits any other approaches.
I can guess at the reason why Classis Wisconsin would have such a rule. (mostly, that Synod is a fairly complex system and the classis may want to make sure their delegates have some experience in the similarly complex classis structure before being delegated to Synod). But you should ask.
It's pretty common for a classis to assume that everyone understands why and how they do things. But often, that is not the case. People who respectfully ask questions are a great gift to classis. If you are wondering about this, I'm sure others are too. If your stated clerk cannot provide an answer, perhaps the interim or executive committee could give you the context.
Sean