Subject: CLM Homework #6 of 6: The Ministry Orders
My Order for Ministry
In the Harry Potter books, a new student at Hogwarts is “sorted” by the Sorting Hat into one of four “houses” – into the one that is the best fit for them. The Hogwarts School is divided into four houses, each bearing the last name of its founder: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. Houses at Hogwarts are the living and learning communities for its students. (Wikipedia)
It would be nice if United Methodist people with a calling to ministry had a sorting hat!
The best we can do, I think, is to use some Sorting Questions to help us discern the “living and learning communities” that are best for us. Please circle your preference and your calling (if they aren’t the same, make a note of it!) to the following questions – we’ll discuss them Friday evening:
- I would rather serve as a volunteer in the church … or … I would rather serve as an employee of a church.
- In terms of hours would rather serve part-time (less than 40) … or … I would rather serve full time (more than 40 hours per week).
- I would love to take three years to go to Seminary … or … I would rather learn “on the job” through continuing education.
- I would prefer to find and choose my own job … or … have the Bishop send me where needed (itinerate).
- I would rather serve as a specialist in ministry (focused on serving part of a church or part of a community) … or … be a generalist and oversee the whole ministry of a church.
- I like serving as a part of a team … or … I like being independent and doing my own thing my own way.
A few questions for discussion …
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each preference?
We’ll discuss how your preferences can help “sort” you into various types of ministry service in the United Methodist Church.
Note: This post is one in a series of emails to allow discussion as a class via email prior to the first gathering of the class for Module 1 of the Certified Lay Minister program of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference. David Kueker is the instructor and developed these introductory emails.
CLM 0.6, Reviewed: 2-19-22.