Compare the (ministerial) market - self doubt

I can handle being minister of little churches in rural communities, I like the fact that I can be a significant fish in a limited sized pond. (I remember that image being used for the speech as we left primary school – that we were going from being the big fish in a small pond to be the small fish in a bigger pond).  That is not meant in a pride or power way, but it does open doors of opportunity and a chance to engage even though I am not really a big fish.

Sometimes when I meet with other ministers in different situations, overseeing big church sites with major social projects and employees, I feel inferior. I am so far from the ability to handle and be what they need to be, and yet technically we are considered the same. We receive the same stipend, and at this time of year when a proportion of the Methodist ministers in Britain await the proposed matches from stationing (our sending process linking those due to move with circuits/churches with vacancies) I am aware ministers are essentially considered equal in the process, although as individuals.

Next year it could be me in the stationing merry go round – what if I were asked to do the sort of role some of my colleagues face in those big churches, and community projects?  I couldn't do it, and so when I hear about their experiences and issues I feel a failure as a minister because I couldn't do what would be asked of me in their place. In my head I know that is the voice of insecurity and the aggressive voice of depression – but the emotions are the same even though I know all that.

I am left feeling that I have an easy life with my group of churches, not that rural ministry and mission is a doddle, but compared to colleagues with many more churches, or the big scary project churches, it feels me-sized.  It is just that me-sized feels inadequate.  I am sure that they wouldn't ask me to do and be what I can’t – and not even due for a shuffle yet – but still feel inferior compared to others.

This was typed yesterday, today a chat with a friend also in the job, and also prone to the ‘useless’ voices from depression reminded both of us that we fit where we are.  Doesn't fully quash the doubts but makes them manageable.

All Change (or not)

It has been a busy week or so for job changing and decisions.  The Americans decided who would be president for the next 4 years, the new Archbishop of Canterbury was announced (and pre-announced, and pre- pre-announced!) and across Britian Methodist churches and ministers awaiting the decision of the stationing group. 

Ministers have 5 year appointments and in the last year decisions are made about where they will serve next. It is possible to extend their stay, but if they are moving this is the week when they and the churches get paired up.

Many friends having been waiting for the news about where they will be from next Sept, and families too. What must it be like to hold people's lives in your hand like that? Yet every job interview is like that too, and so many other things we do affect others, maybe not as obviously or dramatically but still significantly.

The words we say, they way we react to people, shapes them.  I can see that looking back at my life and you may be able to too. It means it is a huge responsibility, and yet what a power we have to affirm, encourage and strengthen others.

And as for the big decisions, well maybe the Coptic (Egyptian) Church have a point - last week they appointed a new leader by putting the shortlist of three names into a pot and had a blindfolded child make the final pick - trusting God in that process.