New DS in Central Cal

[Ryan Scott]

I just saw on Facebook a message from JK Warrick that Rob Songer, pastor of Bakersfield Olive Knolls was elected DS in Central California. I wonder what the record is for new DSs in one summer in the US. It seems like we'll have quite a few this year.

[Wes Smith]

I just saw on Facebook a message from JK Warrick that Rob Songer, pastor of Bakersfield Olive Knolls was elected DS in Central California. I wonder what the record is for new DSs in one summer in the US. It seems like we'll have quite a few this year.

No indication of interim discussion? Just election of Rob as new DS. Hm. Again, an example of taking one of our highly skilled pastors and putting him in an administrative position. Watch the dominoes fall.

[Kevin Rector]

No indication of interim discussion? Just election of Rob as new DS. Hm. Again, an example of taking one of our highly skilled pastors and putting him in an administrative position. Watch the dominoes fall.

Hmm... Wes, have you ever considered the possibility that a DS doesn't have to be "just an administrator"? My DS is an administrator but guess what, his passion is mentoring younger pastors and creating vision for the mission the church on this district. One of the reasons I was so eager to follow him to Arkansas if God opened the door was because my ministry has been deeply enriched by his ministry in my life. Just last night he had a several hour trip to go do some "administrative" work at a church that needs a pastor. He invited me to come along for the ride. He didn't have to do that, but he wanted to spend time with me (and I with him). As as still rather rookie pastor (at it less than five years) this time with the DS, learning from him, getting his observations, is invaluable.

Perhaps we should spend less time decrying moving skilled pastors into the DS slot, and rather come up with a viable theology of superintendency that will give our leaders a vision for how to be less "administrator" and more "missional leader". Having larger districts will make this even less possible for a DS and will cause the DS office to be even more of an administrative role.

[Ryan Scott]

It seems that a lot of districts have a paid staff person who does most of the administration, which allows DSs to be more involved in the ministry of local congregations. I know it takes up a lot of time to keep all the pulpits filled, but it seems like a worthwhile pastoral role to monitor change and walk through transitions with a congregation.

[Wes Smith]

Hmm... Wes, have you ever considered the possibility that a DS doesn't have to be "just an administrator"? My DS is an administrator but guess what, his passion is mentoring younger pastors and creating vision for the mission the church on this district. One of the reasons I was so eager to follow him to Arkansas if God opened the door was because my ministry has been deeply enriched by his ministry in my life. Just last night he had a several hour trip to go do some "administrative" work at a church that needs a pastor. He invited me to come along for the ride. He didn't have to do that, but he wanted to spend time with me (and I with him). As as still rather rookie pastor (at it less than five years) this time with the DS, learning from him, getting his observations, is invaluable.

Perhaps we should spend less time decrying moving skilled pastors into the DS slot, and rather come up with a viable theology of superintendency that will give our leaders a vision for how to be less "administrator" and more "missional leader". Having larger districts will make this even less possible for a DS and will cause the DS office to be even more of an administrative role.

One of the obvious benefits of larger districts, in my opinion, would be...fewer DS's needed. Also, larger district or regions could have more locall administration and the DS or Regional Supt. would be free to declare and share vision. Not sure what to say about the value of spending time with the DS. I'm pretty sure that same scenario could be played out with another pastor.

Friend,

Wes

[Craig Laughlin]

Hmm... Wes, have you ever considered the possibility that a DS doesn't have to be "just an administrator"? My DS is an administrator but guess what, his passion is mentoring younger pastors and creating vision for the mission the church on this district. One of the reasons I was so eager to follow him to Arkansas if God opened the door was because my ministry has been deeply enriched by his ministry in my life. Just last night he had a several hour trip to go do some "administrative" work at a church that needs a pastor. He invited me to come along for the ride. He didn't have to do that, but he wanted to spend time with me (and I with him). As as still rather rookie pastor (at it less than five years) this time with the DS, learning from him, getting his observations, is invaluable.

Perhaps we should spend less time decrying moving skilled pastors into the DS slot, and rather come up with a viable theology of superintendency that will give our leaders a vision for how to be less "administrator" and more "missional leader". Having larger districts will make this even less possible for a DS and will cause the DS office to be even more of an administrative role.

It does seem to me that we are all asking the question "What is the role of a DS?" without actually asking the question out-loud. We then formulate new plans based on our assumptive answer to the question.

Like Rich my first DS was a huge mentor. He was a very strong leader and the district was large enough to hire an administrator and have a pretty good secretarial staff. The outcome was great but I suspect he was exceptional and to be honest there were people that did not like him. However it would be hard to argue with the results of his ministry. I also agree that the Mentor/Coach model for younger pastor's is the best possible model. (Of course I have never sat on a DAB so there are probably some significant things I am missing) The question becomes how do we get there.

My little soapbox is that we need to hire the best and the brightest for ministry and then these young pastor's need to be coached/mentored by strong and effective leaders. It seems we can maybe do that with the traditional system if we elect the right people but I am wondering if the changing financial situation is forcing cuts in support staff and by default forcing DS's to be administrators. Could it be that in creating super districts we can get more support staff and then have DS's that train leaders to train leaders using a cluster system. - I really don't know, just thinking out loud but I agree that mentoring/coaching is our only real hope. Our future will be determined by the investment we make in our children. (Speaking as someone old enough to be most young pastor's dad!)