posted
The word "briefly" should never be used on a form in conjuction with the words "call to ministry," "theological orientation" or "leadership style."
It will be okay. Get some hot cidar. Arrange all of BpW's monkeys in gymnastics positions around the house. Then go back to the silly forms.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Knowing firsthand how longwinded those of the ministry can be, I suspect that's exactly why the word is there. (Though your sermon that I heard was suprisingly brief in comparison with what I'm normally accustomed to, so it should actually be easier for you!)
posted
Addendum: “indicate your self-perceived proficiency” is a phrase that should never be used. Anywhere. Ever.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Now I'm howling, dkw! You realize that question is designed to ensure humility in generous proportions?
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Banna, yes, I’m pretty sure I want to have my annual professional interview with my district superintendent.
Wait . . . in the spirit of some other thread, I should probably change that to, I’m sure that I don’t want the consequences of ditching my annual professional interview with the district superintendent more than I do want to get out of filling out my profile form.
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AJ, based on the phrases in the first post, I'm betting this form has something to do with her upcoming ordination. So yeah, she probably wants to do it.
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So the same form that wanted you to be brief used the phrase “indicate your self-perceived proficiency”? Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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"Yeah, right, brimstone, don't be talking about no brimstone. I know what I smelt and it wasn't no brimstone and it didn't come off no stone neither."
Posts: 2655 | Registered: Feb 2004
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AJ, I’m commissioned. In the UMC you have to actually serve a church full time for three years before your final ordination. (I’ve got two years at ¾ time, and am in my third year of full time.) And then complete a written and oral exam.
The ordination paper will be much worse. But I get 80 pages or so for that one.
It's got great questions like "For the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world and the most effective witness to the Christian gospel and in consideration of your influence as an ordained minister, are you willing to make a complete dedication of yourself to the highest ideals of the Christian life; and to this end will you agree to exercise responsible self-control by personal habits conducive to physical health, intentional intellectual development, fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, integrity in all personal relationships, social responsibility, and growth in grace and the knowledge and love of God?"
Which really could have a one word answer, but I've been warned not to try it. Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
I'm still considering arranging my paper so that that question is at the top of a page, followed by, "yes" and the remainder of the page blank. Then put the elaboration on the next 3-5 pages. The question is whether the members of the BOM interview team will have a sense of humor about it or not. Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Hey! Maybe A.J., Vána and I can help you with the "preaching style" in brief words. We've heard you -- so that makes us able to evaluate from a listener standpoint.
Hmmmm......let me think about that for a bit. Wow - what would I call your "style"??
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"Which really could have a one word answer, but I've been warned not to try it."
Why not? It seems to me that a one-word answer is really as comprehensive an answer as the question requires.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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Tom, I’d love to. Especially since it’s followed by “What is the meaning and significance of the sacraments?” on which I could write a dissertation. But there is an implied “explain” after the question, that it would be a bad idea to ignore.
Zan, that would have to go under question 1 "How has the practice of ministry affected your experience and understanding of God?"
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Me, I'd just answer the question with "Y." But that's probably why I'm not an ordained minister.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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On the other, I’ll admit that the real reason I’m not going to answer the question with “check!” or “yes” is because I have to get through an oral exam with the people who read the paper. And, while I don’t think they’d refuse to recommend me, our time together will be much more pleasant if I don’t annoy them before it even starts.
Besides, if they get irritated with me they’re likely to assign a 2 page “reflection paper” before they’ll recommend me, and I’ll do anything to avoid 2 page reflection papers. Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Well folks, the interview that the forms were for is today at 10:45 (11:45 Hatrack time). Besides all of the fun self-evaluation stuff, one of the major topics of discussion is whether or not I will be on the move list for next year, and if so, what type of appointment would be a “good fit.” So send happy vibes.
And maybe pray for Bob. He’s marrying into the whole itinerancy gig -- he’d decided he didn’t want to move again for a while, and now he’s likely to be moving three times within 9 months (To Radcliffe, then into the parsonage after the wedding, then wherever the Bishop and cabinet send us next July).
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Under the line Sex--they just want Male or Female, not a dissertation on its role in society, or a critique of pre-marital, extra-marital, homosexual, or pedophical trysts place in the decline of society and religious perceptions. Definately not about any combination of all of the above.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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