A Good Death

What is a good death? We talk about a good life? We see the optimistic logo of “Life is Good” on a wide variety of apparel and other items. We smile when we see the stick figure man or his stick figure relatives or friends doing or being that which gives them pleasure. But is a “good death” anything similar? As a ministry developer in formation and service, I have been asking myself this very question. My answer? A resounding “No.”

Yet, despite my “no,” I also have a sense of what a “good death” is. I also see one of my fundamental roles as a ministry developer to be a companion to others experiencing a death as we seek to make it a “good death.” Parishes, ministries, and ministers must engage with death—dance with death--when we acknowledge that we no longer should continue that which no longer brings energy for the people involved. In many ways, we “dance” with death when we engage in making changes of any sort—good or bad—for they involve a grief for what was and what may no longer be.

Perhaps one of the most challenging, yet compelling and beautiful, activities in which we ministry developers engage is that of pastoring others through a change that leads to a good death. We are called to demonstrate that we care, that we will be there as a companion each step along the way, and that we join them in grieving that loss. But the other important part of the journey along the path to and through a “good death” is to assist others in seeing the new birth that comes out of a good death. A good death always leads to a new birth of sorts, for we must till the seeds of death back into the soil and nurture them for them to spring forward into that new birth.

We also must be patient. We must nurture, watch, and sometimes just wait for the new birth to sprout. We then must repeat the process once again.

Yes. That is one of the fundamental tasks of being a ministry developer—being the loyal, patient, caring companion to help open eyes and hearts to what is before and grieve with others the good death from which the new birth may emerge.

Theresa+

Reflecting on the 2015 Living Stones Partnership Meeting

            It has been two months since I departed San Antonio, Texas, and the 2015 annual meeting of the Living Stones Partnership meeting. It was a gathering of friends and colleagues involved in ministry development. Many of those gathered identify as ministry developers; others lack that identification. But each of us gathered believe that God calls each of us to different ministries and empowers us with the gifts that we need to live into those ministries and thus live into serving the Missio Dei—the Mission of God. What a beautiful gathering of people filled with the spirit and love for God, God’s Mission, and the ministry of each and all!

            Yet, there also are challenges, and one of those challenges is in informing others about our passion for this “thing” we call “ministry development” and assisting each other in companioning our colleagues in the discernment and nurturing of their gifts in accordance with God’s call and mission. In that vein, I recommend that people read an article on our time together in February 2015, whether at the International Symposium or the annual Living Stones Partnership meeting. Follow this link to read an article by Carole Bell, of the Diocese of Northern Michigan, on both events. And if you wish to engage in conversation and further exploration of your thoughts, please explore further the Living Stones Partnership website and the various resources referenced on that site.

 

Theresa+

Team Ministry on the “Little Screen”

I admit to being an avid fan of a select group of police action television shows. By and large, my “select” list consists of shows in which women are portrayed as competent leaders and colleagues alongside their male counterparts. I am not referring to the shows that portray men as idiots (e.g., King and Maxwell) or those with a male-female team where there is a romantic element (e.g., Hart to Hart). Those dynamics detract from what interests me, and that is: team work. In short, I am attracted to shows that demonstrate the essence of a team across genders, cultures, etc.

Ever watch the TNT show, Major Crimes? Two members of the TV-created Major Crimes Division of Los Angeles are female—the captain and one of the team of detectives. The female supervisor delegates authority to the team members according to their respective strengths. She knows their gifts and skills; she realizes that a team is made stronger through the sharing and growth of members’ individual strengths. She also understands that delegating responsibilities and authority, as well as acknowledging another’s gifts, does not detract from her own. Instead, it makes for a stronger and more effective team. It also avoids burn-out by the leader and fosters trust in all members.

How about Flashpoint? I know! I admit it! One of my early attractions to the show was the fact that the team included a petite woman who more than “carries her own weight” in performing as a member of the Toronto Strategic Response Unit. But with each show I am drawn into the excitement of seeing the team members operate as a team. If a member is unarmed or assuming the role of negotiator in a volatile situation, that member’s life literally depends on the judgment and skills of the other members of the team.

There is no territorial rivalry here. Each knows what he or she is assigned to do, but they are trained to anticipate (and think like) each other and work as a team, which is very different from working as a committee. Further, knowing the emotional toil of being an SRU member, each cares for each other and makes sure that they support each other emotionally so that the work does not unduly impact their personal and family lives.

Team ministry within the Church is much the same. It is not work by committee. It is not a pyramid of bosses with lesser and lesser authority as one works down the strata. It is the coming together of gifted persons who are encouraged to share their gifts (and authority) for the sake of the team. They acknowledge their individual gifts and “growing edges;” the primary concern is achieving the team’s missions—the work of the Church—not the glorification of self. Further, they understand the emotional and physical toil of ministry on the individual ministers and offer needed support to each other the best that they can.

Hmm. Who would have ever expected it?! In this media-dominated world that we live in, we can look to the “little screen” for models of team ministry.

Theresa