Okay...rather than go back to my other posts and update each of them, I thought I'd just summarize them all in one post:
1. Credentialing test - DONE! PRAISE JESUS! It wasn't nearly as difficult as I imagined it would be - just long. But it's done - my application and $75 late fee are on their way to the district office, and now I just wait until my interview in February...
2. Gossipy board member - We had a meeting last night with my DH, myself, the youth pastor and senior pastor, and this woman to hash it all out. She was upset with the youth pastor for "breaking confidences" (huh?) and she said she 'thought' that the youth pastor was our supervisor and that she could go to her with concerns about our ministry. [Uh...if she's on the board and just now figuring out who the pastoral staff reports to, she's got bigger issues.] Anyway, so she actually said, "As a board member, don't I have the authority to be a buffer if people are concerned? They should be able to come to me, right?" At this point, all our jaws dropped, and since she was looking at me, I said, "No." Our senior pastor explained that the proper procedure was: a. If it is just a question about why we are doing something, or a personal problem with us, they need to come to us with it, or b. If it is a matter of sin or a disciplinary issue, she/they need to come to him. She is not really happy with any of us, but all the "right" things were said in the meeting, and at least she knows now that the pastoral staff has each other's backs!!
3. "Secular" song(s) in the Christmas variety show - Yeah, same lady. I told her (and I spoke as a theatre expert) that the opening number and the closing number of a show are what people remember, and that both of those would be about the true meaning of Christmas, as well as plenty of the acts in between. She seemed to accept that. I'm sure she's not happy with it, but since the senior pastor approved it, and he confirmed that I run EVERYTHING I do by him before I do it, there really isn't much she can say.
So, the three issues that have been on the forefront of my brain are now more or less resolved. I feel so stress-free today - I think I need to do some Christmas shopping this evening!!!
Thanks to all of you for being a sounding board for all my venting!! I really appreciate it...
Wow, don't you love it when it happens this way? I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN! I hate when you are dealing with "stuff" unresolved. When it's off your back, you just feel so much better and able to do your thing. I'm so happy for you.
A while back I dealt with a difficult situation with a person that needed to be confronted. We had an important service upcoming that I needed to be at my best for, even probably more than usual. Larry said to me, "don't you want to wait until after the service to deal with this? Won't it cloud your mind?" He wanted to deal with it, but I think his thinking was...after the service is over. I said, "no, I'll never be able to flow in that service like I need to if this is on my back. Let me get it off." He agreed...I went in and dealt with it, resolved the issue, and went out with my "A-game" in the service. Days later the issue was completely resolved, never to come up again. I'm a firm believer in, "the sooner the better."
I'm so happy for you -- go out and have a great time...do your shopping, get a cappuchino, maybe even get your nails done. Just celebrate the fact that this dead weight is off your back!!! Go girl!
