In the 15th Century Marsilio Ficino put it this way, "CONVIVIUM is the demonstration of love and splendor, the food of good will, the seasoning of friendship, the leavening of grace and the solace of life." He was the head of the Florentine Academy, which in its day was clearly not simply an institute of learning, but a living community of friends. That is what I hope for this simple space.
When I came to Minnesota to be on staff 12 years ago I found a system that was frozen in fear and distrust. In the fall of 1997 I held listening posts for clergy all across the state. (It's amazing what clergy will do for free food!) Seriously, it felt like it had been a long time since anyone had listened to them. We have had two bishops (the only two I have worked with here) who have been very open to experimentation. Bishop Dyck has said many times "If what you are doing isn't working, do something different. You will not be penalized or punished if the new thing doesn't work!" She has moved us out of our comfort zone time and time again. We are not the most generous annual conference in the connection, but we have committed to forming new faith communities. We are putting more money into these new ventures (ethnic and anglo) and into leadership development than we have in decades. Clergy are learning to trust each other and collaborate in peer learning groups. Earlier this week I heard a clergy person say that the district superintendents are different than they used to be. I smiled and said, "I'll bet you are, too!" Are parts of our system still stuck? You, betcha. Is it getting better? Yes! Will it take a long time? Probably, but that won't stop us.
When I came to Minnesota to be on staff 12 years ago I found a system that was frozen in fear and distrust. In the fall of 1997 I held listening posts for clergy all across the state. (It's amazing what clergy will do for free food!) Seriously, it felt like it had been a long time since anyone had listened to them. We have had two bishops (the only two I have worked with here) who have been very open to experimentation. Bishop Dyck has said many times "If what you are doing isn't working, do something different. You will not be penalized or punished if the new thing doesn't work!" She has moved us out of our comfort zone time and time again. We are not the most generous annual conference in the connection, but we have committed to forming new faith communities. We are putting more money into these new ventures (ethnic and anglo) and into leadership development than we have in decades. Clergy are learning to trust each other and collaborate in peer learning groups. Earlier this week I heard a clergy person say that the district superintendents are different than they used to be. I smiled and said, "I'll bet you are, too!" Are parts of our system still stuck? You, betcha. Is it getting better? Yes! Will it take a long time? Probably, but that won't stop us.