Looking Up, Not Looking Out
Presbyterian minister and author, Joel Alvis is working on a webinar for Leadership in Ministry, part of Columbia Seminary’s Lifelong Learning effort, on clergy retirement. In preparation for this webinar, he is asking for retired clergy and religious professionals to consider completing a 25-item questionnaire … read on and consider sharing the link with others.
Theologian Walter Brueggeman suggested that there is an emotional triangle between the preacher, the people, and the text [scripture]. Good reflection can come from that observation. But what happens when the preacher (or any leader) moves into the congregation and becomes part of the people. The text remains. In addition to the text, there is also context. Always context. After years of looking out from (or behind or over) the pulpit, font, and table to a time when you consistently look up through (or around) the pulpit, font, and table makes you aware something changed. The presentation will use several concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory to discuss these changes.
The webinar will be November 13 and is about the changes clergy find as they move from "Looking Out" to the place where "we" Look Up." Joel has developed a 25-item questionnaire about this shift of role and function. If you are retired, please consider completing the questionnaire and sharing with others. Thank you.
We (Synod of South Atlantic) will share the registration link for the webinar when it is published.
Comments