Appointment making: an intense process

As the 2008 Annual Conference closes, I will call for the distribution of the Appointment List (through this Virginia Advocate) and the pastoral appointments will be “fixed” for the 2008-2009 year. This privilege and responsibility rests in the hands of the resident bishop of an Annual Conference. However, the whole process of consultation has been exercised in months of intense preparation and projections before we come to this place.

Paragraph 431 in the 2004 Book of Discipline (BOD) addresses our United Methodist way of appointment-making. Consideration of the gifts of pastors and consideration of the mission and ministry needs of local congregations are taken into account as potential moves are explored.

Our denomination has a deep commitment to Open Itineracy — meaning that “appointments are made without regard to race, ethnic origin, gender, color, disability, marital status, or age, except for the provision of mandatory retirement.” (pg. 307, BOD)

In a defined process every year, the district superintendents and I confer with the pastor and the committee on Pastor-Parish Relations. The volume of information we receive is shared with everyone on the Cabinet. The recommendations of each of these parties is taken seriously. However, the recommendations are advisory only to the work of the Cabinet. Every year, we also have to consider what is best for the needs of the whole conference, and not just any one church or situation.

From January to June every year the Virginia Cabinet is focused on making the best possible matches of congregations with pastors. We do this work with great humility and wrap ourselves and our work in prayer. It is both difficult and rewarding work, all at the same time. We covet your prayers as we make this journey annually.

In July, the jurisdictions in the United States will be having Jurisdictional Conferences, all scheduled at the same time, but in different locations. New bishops will be elected. All active bishops in the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ) will be assigned for four years to an annual conference. That discerning work is done by the SEJ’s Committee on Episcopacy. Our recommendations from the Virginia Conference will be advisory to that committee. Thus, I will be assigned, along with all my colleague bishops, to a place of episcopal ministry for the next four years. Like all other United Methodist pastors, I will be given a place to serve and be part of a system that “sends” its pastors and bishops to a field of mission and service.

This Appointments issue of the Virginia Advocate has its own story to tell. That story involves a connectional church, an episcopal form of ministry, appointment-making and consultation, and covenantal responses by laity, clergy, and local churches, districts, and annual conferences. This is the United Methodist way.

                        Grace and Peace,

                        Charlene Kammerer