"Supporting Our Interns" - The President's Blog for July 31, 2009
Supporting Our Interns
In June the Executive Committee of our Conference voted to deploy five interns to Family Island districts as of August 1 and an additional to be posted in January, 2010. These servants of God have been exposed to the operation and functioning of our church under the supervision and mentoring of senior pastors and elders. Now they have had this training they are being given the opportunity as licentiate pastors to man a district under the supervision of administration. This act ought to underscore the confidence we have in each of these young pastors.
Considering Each District and Its Needs
It is to be noted that a number of factors are considered in making district changes or appointments. The Conference Administration and the Ministerial Director consult before taking a recommendation to the Executive Committee. In meeting each district is considered in terms of its uniqueness and needs. Likewise, the pastor is considered in terms of his or her strength, personality and gifts. These are matched with a given district to effect what is hoped will result in a united and harmonious team, thus benefiting and enhancing each other. Of course the process is not complete as the Executive Committee may wish to change or adjust some of the recommendations, as they may perceive certain facts that the administration and ministerial may have overlooked. So at the end of the process hopefully we would have the right mix.
Tenure or Stay
It is necessary to note that an assignment can be from 3 to 5 years or more or less depending on circumstances. However, it is not the intention of Administration to effect rapid changes as both worker and district are likely to be affected. Under normal conditions it is advantageous to keep one in a district for a reasonable period of time. Some of you will recall a study by Dr. Wendell McMillan whose research favors a longer assignment to a district. However, there was a difference in the expectation of members and pastors. While pastors preferred a longer period the members when questioned preferred a shorter period for example three years. It is possible since that research was done a change in expectation may have taken place. Unfortunately in small conference like ours when a session takes place it is likely that some changes may result as once a person is moved from a given district it is likely to create a domino effect. However, that is not
say that we should not change or elect persons instead it is just acknowledging the reality. There are other factors that may necessitate change.
Perceptions and Misconceptions
Unfortunately, it is perceived that to be placed on a Family Island is tantamount to being abandoned as being in Nassau is considered the choice spot or “I have arrived”. I have heard various concerns of some members, friends and family when it comes to assigning their own outside of Nassau. However, I wish to assure all that there is no need to fear as the Family islands are developed consisting of basic infra structure such as electricity, telephone and internet and cable in some instances. Some of the senior men will tell you that when they lived and served on some of the islands these comforts were still future. However it is important to remember that it is a privilege to serve and the leadership of the Conference will ensure the comfort and safety of each worker. Also we must remember that the Conference is more than Nassau. Wherever there are members we have a responsibility to reach and minister and where there is no Adventist presence we
have an equal responsibility to create a presence.
What an Opportunity!
The last time I recall so many pastoral interns being appointed was during the tenure of Pastor Hugh Roach in the 1980’s. If not mistaken we had a pastoral presence on most of the islands. That augured well for the growth of the work of the church back then. No doubt with resident pastors in most of our districts except for San Salvador and Inagua we can anticipate further expansion of our church penetrating every possible area in the Conference. It should be noted that Eleuthera will be divided into two districts one in the south and another in the north. Also with a female pastor in the person of Anastacia Ferguson it will mark history though notwithstanding the concerns voiced by some of you. Again I wish to assure you that Pastor Ferguson has the blessing of the church. Our appointment of her has not been without consultation. We ask that she be given your full support to all of our pastors.
Thought to Ponder:
The most holy service that we can render to God is to be employed in praising His name.
John Calvin
In June the Executive Committee of our Conference voted to deploy five interns to Family Island districts as of August 1 and an additional to be posted in January, 2010. These servants of God have been exposed to the operation and functioning of our church under the supervision and mentoring of senior pastors and elders. Now they have had this training they are being given the opportunity as licentiate pastors to man a district under the supervision of administration. This act ought to underscore the confidence we have in each of these young pastors.
Considering Each District and Its Needs
It is to be noted that a number of factors are considered in making district changes or appointments. The Conference Administration and the Ministerial Director consult before taking a recommendation to the Executive Committee. In meeting each district is considered in terms of its uniqueness and needs. Likewise, the pastor is considered in terms of his or her strength, personality and gifts. These are matched with a given district to effect what is hoped will result in a united and harmonious team, thus benefiting and enhancing each other. Of course the process is not complete as the Executive Committee may wish to change or adjust some of the recommendations, as they may perceive certain facts that the administration and ministerial may have overlooked. So at the end of the process hopefully we would have the right mix.
Tenure or Stay
It is necessary to note that an assignment can be from 3 to 5 years or more or less depending on circumstances. However, it is not the intention of Administration to effect rapid changes as both worker and district are likely to be affected. Under normal conditions it is advantageous to keep one in a district for a reasonable period of time. Some of you will recall a study by Dr. Wendell McMillan whose research favors a longer assignment to a district. However, there was a difference in the expectation of members and pastors. While pastors preferred a longer period the members when questioned preferred a shorter period for example three years. It is possible since that research was done a change in expectation may have taken place. Unfortunately in small conference like ours when a session takes place it is likely that some changes may result as once a person is moved from a given district it is likely to create a domino effect. However, that is not
say that we should not change or elect persons instead it is just acknowledging the reality. There are other factors that may necessitate change.
Perceptions and Misconceptions
Unfortunately, it is perceived that to be placed on a Family Island is tantamount to being abandoned as being in Nassau is considered the choice spot or “I have arrived”. I have heard various concerns of some members, friends and family when it comes to assigning their own outside of Nassau. However, I wish to assure all that there is no need to fear as the Family islands are developed consisting of basic infra structure such as electricity, telephone and internet and cable in some instances. Some of the senior men will tell you that when they lived and served on some of the islands these comforts were still future. However it is important to remember that it is a privilege to serve and the leadership of the Conference will ensure the comfort and safety of each worker. Also we must remember that the Conference is more than Nassau. Wherever there are members we have a responsibility to reach and minister and where there is no Adventist presence we
have an equal responsibility to create a presence.
What an Opportunity!
The last time I recall so many pastoral interns being appointed was during the tenure of Pastor Hugh Roach in the 1980’s. If not mistaken we had a pastoral presence on most of the islands. That augured well for the growth of the work of the church back then. No doubt with resident pastors in most of our districts except for San Salvador and Inagua we can anticipate further expansion of our church penetrating every possible area in the Conference. It should be noted that Eleuthera will be divided into two districts one in the south and another in the north. Also with a female pastor in the person of Anastacia Ferguson it will mark history though notwithstanding the concerns voiced by some of you. Again I wish to assure you that Pastor Ferguson has the blessing of the church. Our appointment of her has not been without consultation. We ask that she be given your full support to all of our pastors.
Thought to Ponder:
The most holy service that we can render to God is to be employed in praising His name.
John Calvin
Comment
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Comment by Dwight Brown on August 4, 2009 at 10:38pm
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Again I wish to assure you that Pastor Ferguson has the blessing of the church. Our appointment of her has not been without consultation. We ask that she be given your full support to all of our pastors.
I note with much interest your statement about "blessing of the church", :has not been without consultation" ( i guess higher organization) and "be given full support of all of our pastors". I know there are pocket of the church that accepts the "changing times" but there is another pocket that "maintains the status quo". A lot of members believes that Christ is the head of the church and the husband is head of the home. Ellen White said that the Pastor should be head of his home in order to be head of pastoral flock (church) and if he can't control his house then he is unfit to be a pastor. From this angle can we truly said that all of our interns are head of their house. Yes, i've heard the point of women making a contribution in the bible; Ester, Ruth , Mariam, etc. But from my recollection I don't think any was from the tribe of levi. I agree that history is in the making here in the Bahamas Conference and I'm glad to witness it. Let the church roll on.
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