I no longer have any interest in defending my calling as an ordained minister.
Rather, I need to focus on grieving for my son who just passed away, while also leading the church I love through this holiday season -- as their pastor.
Thank you, Jane, for your well thought-out, informed, sensitive response. I am just shocked that anyone, let alone a pastor, would think that the sexual assault was okay under any circumstance. It's time we look abusive men directly in the eyes and say, "No more." We will not be intimidated, we will not accept accusations of reporting being gossip, we will not permit an environment for the young women and girls behind us that considers "sexual humor" (whatever that means) to be okay. I am a pastor, and even in my wildest dreams I would not ever touch a male or female in a sexual manner. We are called to live a life beyond reproach.
I am thankful that the guides will not permit any more victim shaming. That in itself is abuse, and you've said enough (in my opinion).
If you think pinching the butt of a parishioner and making a sexual comment is okay, then I'm concerned for any woman under your pastoral care or in your network.
We always have a combined GEMS & Cadets Sunday, with "Lunch on the Lawn" afterwards to attract more of the families who don't normally attend on Sundays. We do this twice a year (November and May). In the past, we have either chosen one of the themes or something generic or more in line with what our church is doing. I don't think it's necessary to preach on the theme verses of either group.
There are some good points in this article. My only question is why "The Network" does not edit articles to be gender-inclusive when referring to pastors? This article uses all male pronouns for pastors, and even includes a subtitle about "Boys doing a Man's Job." The CRC includes around 200 women pastors, so I am requesting that the "Network" editors require gender-inclusive language for pastors. Thank you.
Hi Rob, My comment was addressed to the Network editors. I believe that an official CRC site should use gender-inclusive language for pastors, since the CRC *does* ordain women pastors, and that inclusive language should be the standard for articles that are accepted. The CRC's stance does not exclude women pastors, whereas the language of the article they published (which you happened to write) does that. Thanks again for your article. I would appreciate a response from the editors.
Again, I wish to direct my comments to the editors.
If inclusive language is not required for articles in this forum, unless such articles are clearly marked as opinion pieces rather than labeled as "leadership" pieces, then an entire group of legitimately ordained pastors (leaders) are excluded. Using the pronoun "they" rather than "he" should not necessarily violate one's conscience, if they are part of a denomination that welcomes their women pastors.
Thank you, Sarah, for the clarification regarding the Network's open policy.
Perhaps, then, the Network could consider re-categorizing articles that do not fully reflect the official CRCNA position, in terms of inclusivity. This article, for example, could be labeled "Male Leadership" or "Male Lament" rather than highlighted in an email to all pastors as a leadership article for pastors.
I would like the Network to either consider having editorial guidelines, or putting a disclaimer in the introduction to articles that are exclusive in language and perspective.
I'd rather see "What is lifegiving about pastoral ministry?" or "How Do We See God At Work?" or "The Humble Calling of a Pastor."
Yes, we do face different issues as male and female pastors, but we have the same mission and calling. I believe in turning our swords into plowshares, as we partner together -- male and female -- as seed-planters and harvesters in God's Kingdom.
Rosewood Church has been hosting our "Outrageous Pumpkin Party" every October 31 since 2002, which attracts 3,000-4,000 people from the community. Admission is free, but every child must be registered in order to play the games using a "treasure map" that is hole-punched at each game booth. We have about 20-some game booths, each staffed with church members who give prizes or candy. We also have face painting, Bible give-away, a maze crawl, and a photo booth, and at the end children may turn in their treasure map with a minimum of 10 hole punches to receive a treasure sack full of candy as a bonus! The treasure sack includes a brochure highlighting our ministries for/with families. With the registration data, we follow up with invitations to our midweek ministries for children and youth, and of course Sunday worship (but that is not usually the first entry point). Our "OPP" provides a light, bright alternative for children and families on Halloween night, and is our biggest outreach of the year. Many people from the community call Rosewood their church because they come here on Halloween and Easter (Easter-egg hunt and pancake breakfast). The OPP is funded by donations from church members (candy, cupcakes, and money), and our food booth featuring tacos, nachos, hot dogs, and drinks for purchase.
Posted in: A Christian Discussion on Women in Office
I no longer have any interest in defending my calling as an ordained minister.
Rather, I need to focus on grieving for my son who just passed away, while also leading the church I love through this holiday season -- as their pastor.
Posted in: S.O.S. Sexual Assault at a Retreat by Clergy
Thank you, Jane, for your well thought-out, informed, sensitive response. I am just shocked that anyone, let alone a pastor, would think that the sexual assault was okay under any circumstance. It's time we look abusive men directly in the eyes and say, "No more." We will not be intimidated, we will not accept accusations of reporting being gossip, we will not permit an environment for the young women and girls behind us that considers "sexual humor" (whatever that means) to be okay. I am a pastor, and even in my wildest dreams I would not ever touch a male or female in a sexual manner. We are called to live a life beyond reproach.
Posted in: S.O.S. Sexual Assault at a Retreat by Clergy
I am thankful that the guides will not permit any more victim shaming. That in itself is abuse, and you've said enough (in my opinion).
If you think pinching the butt of a parishioner and making a sexual comment is okay, then I'm concerned for any woman under your pastoral care or in your network.
Posted in: Anybody Combine Gems & Cadets Into One Group?
We always have a combined GEMS & Cadets Sunday, with "Lunch on the Lawn" afterwards to attract more of the families who don't normally attend on Sundays. We do this twice a year (November and May). In the past, we have either chosen one of the themes or something generic or more in line with what our church is doing. I don't think it's necessary to preach on the theme verses of either group.
Posted in: What's So Hard About Being a Pastor?
There are some good points in this article. My only question is why "The Network" does not edit articles to be gender-inclusive when referring to pastors? This article uses all male pronouns for pastors, and even includes a subtitle about "Boys doing a Man's Job." The CRC includes around 200 women pastors, so I am requesting that the "Network" editors require gender-inclusive language for pastors. Thank you.
Posted in: What's So Hard About Being a Pastor?
Hi Rob, My comment was addressed to the Network editors. I believe that an official CRC site should use gender-inclusive language for pastors, since the CRC *does* ordain women pastors, and that inclusive language should be the standard for articles that are accepted. The CRC's stance does not exclude women pastors, whereas the language of the article they published (which you happened to write) does that. Thanks again for your article. I would appreciate a response from the editors.
Posted in: What's So Hard About Being a Pastor?
Again, I wish to direct my comments to the editors.
If inclusive language is not required for articles in this forum, unless such articles are clearly marked as opinion pieces rather than labeled as "leadership" pieces, then an entire group of legitimately ordained pastors (leaders) are excluded. Using the pronoun "they" rather than "he" should not necessarily violate one's conscience, if they are part of a denomination that welcomes their women pastors.
Posted in: What's So Hard About Being a Pastor?
Thank you, Sarah, for the clarification regarding the Network's open policy.
Perhaps, then, the Network could consider re-categorizing articles that do not fully reflect the official CRCNA position, in terms of inclusivity. This article, for example, could be labeled "Male Leadership" or "Male Lament" rather than highlighted in an email to all pastors as a leadership article for pastors.
I would like the Network to either consider having editorial guidelines, or putting a disclaimer in the introduction to articles that are exclusive in language and perspective.
Thank you for the work that you do.
Posted in: What's So Hard About Being a Pastor?
Hi Keith,
I think we already had the male perspective. :)
I'd rather see "What is lifegiving about pastoral ministry?" or "How Do We See God At Work?" or "The Humble Calling of a Pastor."
Yes, we do face different issues as male and female pastors, but we have the same mission and calling. I believe in turning our swords into plowshares, as we partner together -- male and female -- as seed-planters and harvesters in God's Kingdom.
Posted in: Is Your Church Hosting a Trunk or Treat, Harvest Fest, or Other Fall Event?
Rosewood Church has been hosting our "Outrageous Pumpkin Party" every October 31 since 2002, which attracts 3,000-4,000 people from the community. Admission is free, but every child must be registered in order to play the games using a "treasure map" that is hole-punched at each game booth. We have about 20-some game booths, each staffed with church members who give prizes or candy. We also have face painting, Bible give-away, a maze crawl, and a photo booth, and at the end children may turn in their treasure map with a minimum of 10 hole punches to receive a treasure sack full of candy as a bonus! The treasure sack includes a brochure highlighting our ministries for/with families. With the registration data, we follow up with invitations to our midweek ministries for children and youth, and of course Sunday worship (but that is not usually the first entry point).
Our "OPP" provides a light, bright alternative for children and families on Halloween night, and is our biggest outreach of the year. Many people from the community call Rosewood their church because they come here on Halloween and Easter (Easter-egg hunt and pancake breakfast).
The OPP is funded by donations from church members (candy, cupcakes, and money), and our food booth featuring tacos, nachos, hot dogs, and drinks for purchase.
Posted in: Sharing Sidebar [Feature]
I would suggest a category of "Outreach" on this discussion network.