tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919739073150068939.post8836161028983561118..comments2024-01-15T22:50:33.776-06:00Comments on the patience of trees: Follow the Friendships: A Less Than Cutting-Edge New Proposal for Discernment, Ordination, Mission, Ecumenism, Generous Self-Offering, and Everything Else Followers of Jesus Might Be Tempted To DoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919739073150068939.post-80143332302160331342014-06-08T14:27:14.580-05:002014-06-08T14:27:14.580-05:00Thanks so much for your note and response, Kyle. I...Thanks so much for your note and response, Kyle. I was thinking about your comment that friendship-in-ministry is potentially about (appropriate to Pentecost) the Spirit's winds blowing freely. I think this is both true and unexpected, to the extent that one *might* think of working with friends as potentially more controllable. But the opposite is true, because we are sharing ministries born of friendships in which we feel most free to be ourselves, in all of of our vulnerability - and even weakness. <br /><br />I'm keen to check out the work of ECF toward lay/clergy teams, about which I admittedly know little. Can you say more about it?<br /><br />Part of me hopes that *eventually* the lay/clergy dynamic can be transcended, mostly because that dynamic has traditionally focused the Church so firmly on existing relationships in the church - and not outside it. But certainly the transcending of the categories will include friends from all sides of the conversation. The important thing is the truth the friendships require of us, and how we are shaped - as lay or clergy leaders - by living truthfully. We've all known friendships that act as cliques, thwarting the growth of those around us, but also friendships that serve as can openers for the community. That is, because she/he knows me like *that*, I can't hide in the ways I've been taught I maybe should. And then I discover I don't need to. And the community laughs and takes its cue in turn.<br /><br />Glad for your thoughts and encouragement Kyle. Would love to keep the conversation going!<br />Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09443365190314386219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8919739073150068939.post-52247508402265720982014-06-08T09:26:07.968-05:002014-06-08T09:26:07.968-05:00This is really powerful, Jonathan. I certainly tha...This is really powerful, Jonathan. I certainly thank God as often as I can for the chance to do so much work with so many friends. (Easter People is a great example--the friendships are really what make the show interesting, I think/hope.)<br /><br />What I especially like about the idea of building-in friendships "from the ground up" is that otherwise we seem to be in a church of haves and have-nots in this matter (i.e., powerful rectors of multi-staff churches get to work with friends if they choose; most other clergy don't). <br /><br />I'm certainly aware that the huge amount of freedom I have to make and collaborate with friends in my position is a direct result of VTS's privileged standing with respect to both reputation and resources. I also work for a woman for whom "follow the friendships" is something of a mantra.<br /><br />But to say from the beginning "part of how this new (ad)venture will work is that we've got a pair of ministers who are energized/supported by and work well with each other"--that sounds to me like a fantastic opportunity for the Spirit's winds to blow freely.<br /><br />Can I also commend ECF's work on lay/clergy teams in this discussion? It's been powerful in my own case to live into (and hopefully model) good lay-clergy partnerships. Certainly an important part of that witness is that it's the lay person who's in charge. <br /><br />But again lay-clergy partner-friendships "from the ground up" (let's start and lead this thing together) are a different thing, I think, than the more pastorally messy situations you point out that seminarians are warned of (priest forms vulnerable friendship with someone he or she provides care for, etc.).<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for getting us all thinking, Jonathan (as always).Kyle Matthew Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18199724951809671932noreply@blogger.com