Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The safe choice
I have spent the last year helping my church find a new minister. It was a big time commitment. The main direction from the congregation was that he must be a man and he can't be gay. No prejudice here.
We got a lot of applications and set up at least 10 interviews. Some were real disasters. One (really great on paper) candidate was obviously gay and had just broken up with her girlfriend. Another seemed to be stalking the other candidates. She didn't leave until someone went out to check on her. Most were just OK, nothing exciting.
Finally, we interviewed a middle-aged fellow. He seemed a little stiff at first, but he was quite proud of his Act of Union souvenir. His grandfather was a signatory to the founding of our denomination. About halfway, he relaxed and showed a self-described droll sense of humour and a passion for his vocation.
He came to his first Ministry & Personnel and congregational council meetings tonight filling in for our current minister. He had us doing a cheer at one point. After the meeting, I asked one of my committee members what her first impression was. She said that he wouldn't offend anyone. I asked if he was a safe choice, and she agreed. I found this response disappointing. I don't think we were going for safe. We could have hired the boring minister from down the road if we wanted safe.
D.
We got a lot of applications and set up at least 10 interviews. Some were real disasters. One (really great on paper) candidate was obviously gay and had just broken up with her girlfriend. Another seemed to be stalking the other candidates. She didn't leave until someone went out to check on her. Most were just OK, nothing exciting.
Finally, we interviewed a middle-aged fellow. He seemed a little stiff at first, but he was quite proud of his Act of Union souvenir. His grandfather was a signatory to the founding of our denomination. About halfway, he relaxed and showed a self-described droll sense of humour and a passion for his vocation.
He came to his first Ministry & Personnel and congregational council meetings tonight filling in for our current minister. He had us doing a cheer at one point. After the meeting, I asked one of my committee members what her first impression was. She said that he wouldn't offend anyone. I asked if he was a safe choice, and she agreed. I found this response disappointing. I don't think we were going for safe. We could have hired the boring minister from down the road if we wanted safe.
D.
Labels: Personal
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Dry spells
The well went dry yesterday. Then it rained overnight.
My kids went back to school today. For my son, it is the first time in three years. I only found out about the program on Friday. I had to run down to his old school and get his records. Luckily, I had taken the afternoon off. He goes to school one day a week and can work. Every 110 hours of work earns a credit.
D.
My kids went back to school today. For my son, it is the first time in three years. I only found out about the program on Friday. I had to run down to his old school and get his records. Luckily, I had taken the afternoon off. He goes to school one day a week and can work. Every 110 hours of work earns a credit.
D.
Labels: Family
