Secret and Discreet

There is a process in calling a pastor that includes being discreet or confidential. That is very different from being secret. As you may recognize, a pastor who is open to getting called by a new church would not tell his present congregation that he is looking to leave them. That would be similar to telling your boss that you are thinking of moving to a different company. But, it would be even more deeply experienced than just that. A church is a community, and it includes an emotional engagement with the future. You can develop an expectation that this is the person who will walk with me as we come to the end of our lives. This is the person who will marry my kids. This is the person in whom I have confided some of the toughest aspects of my life, and I trust that they will continue to be the person to whom I can turn. That kind of engagement creates a different atmosphere than just leaving one job for another. So, if you are looking at the information about the prospective pastor and wondering why you’re not getting the full bio and introduction to this person, it’s not about being secretive. This moment needs to be treated with discretion because the Presbyterian world is a small place. We want to be respectful of this person’s life and their personal concerns. For any anxiousness we may feel about getting a good idea of who this person is and what they bring, we must also weigh the need for confidentiality in how we move through the process. In a little over a week, you’ll get a full picture of this person and a chance to consider them and the attitude they bring into ministry. At the same time, your committee has done a thorough diligence in vetting this person, and you placed your trust in them to represent the best wisdom and insight, as well as humility before God, to be led to the right person. All of that goes into selecting to invite this person into this community as a leader. The person to talk this over with is our Lord, seeking wisdom, openness to the guidance of the Spirit, and a willingness to see the future reflected in the conversation that’s held before the vote is taken. Trust the process. God has his hand on this place. Blessings, Geoff