Infant in Grace

http://www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3852855/k.2207/Itineracy_in_the_United_Methodist_Church.htm

http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=3301

I consider myself a convinced United Methodist. We have our flaws, but I’m very comfortable with how we interpret our faith and how we live it out. I’m not sure that I would fit theologically with another denomination like I do with the UMC. It’s a perfect fit.

That said, I’ve spent a lot of time considering leaving the denomination and going through the ordination process in another denomination. Why? It’s simple. itineracy.

I’m not, and never will be convinced that the UMC itineracy is an effective way to deploy pastors. UMC pastors are known as “circuit riders” because of their short stay at churches. The average length of a pastorate in the UMC is around 5 years. Of course, that’s about the average for other denominations, but at least in other denominations that’s not considered the ideal.

I look at the Church of the Resurrection, Saddleback, Mars Hill, and wonder, why are these churches growing and effective? While they all have gifted leaders, I’m convinced that having consistency in the pastoral office is a big factor.

Some arguments are made in the first article about the benefits of itineracy which I consider weak. Long pastorates aren’t effective because it’s hard to replace a pastor after serving a church for a while? Ummm? So we do away with all of the effective ministry for a long term pastor and settle, only because they are hard to replace. That’s like saying that, even though Coach K is winning championships, we should not renew his contract because it will make it that much harder to replace him.

Now I understand that there are some benefits from short-term pastorates, but they are very minimal compared to lengthy pastorates.