In Defense of Literacy

Dear Friends,

In worship this coming Sunday, I hope we will all be delighted and enveloped by the Word, or by words, sung and spoken, jumping off the printed page, as we celebrate the art and craft of reading and writing.

Adam, Natalie and I are selecting some of our favorite readings, and I have a list a yard long of possible reflections on the glory of that which is written, held, and read—as opposed to, yes, that which is seen on a screen, or for which there is an ‘app.’

Yet, you are reading this on a screen, thank you, so there must be something to be said for this sort of communication. So I will say something: If you would like to review our ministry together over the past two years, audio recordings of many of my sermons are archived on the church web site, www.firstuu.org.  There you will also find a growing collection of printable texts. I plan to add a few over the next couple of weeks, then to have all my sermons erased from the web by the end of August, making plenty of room for your new minister.

A sermon is a spoken event, best heard in community, and significantly less powerful when read. But there are those times, I know, when a printed text is desired. I’m especially aware that some think my sermon of this past Sunday, “Now What?”, should enjoy a wider audience than the Spring Retreat-depleted occasion on which it was delivered. So, enjoy the listening and reading from the Internet, but know that authentic experience awaits you on Sunday morning.

See you in church.

Best,

David

Why (some) Liberal Churches Decline

Dear Friends,

I understand that a sanctuary-full of you had a grand time this past Sunday, and that enthusiasm is high for your senior minister-elect, Daniel O’Connell. Everything I’ve heard about Candidating Week confirms that this congregation knows your Ministerial Search Committee made the right recommendation. I very much look forward to working with Daniel toward a smooth and satisfying transition.

While you were getting to know your minister-to-be, I was up the road near Navasota at the annual national conference of UUA accredited interim ministers. Several of our sessions were led by Alban Institute consultant and former UUA Settlement Director Dan Hotchkiss, who has emerged as a much sought-after authority on how churches are organized and governed. One of Dan’s observations from his latest book is so important that I want to quote it here at length:

“As an Alban consultant, I have worked with congregations that grew rapidly while streamlining their decision-making process, and with others that tried to maintain scores of committees while their membership declined from thousands to hundreds to scant dozens. In time, I started to suspect that outdated, over-complex and inward-focused structures might be one cause of decline in congregations. As I watched more systematically, I came to believe that trends (of church decline) might have as much to do with governance as with theology. Growing congregations often are the ones that have reformed their structures for governance and ministry…. Even more strikingly, declining congregations across the theological spectrum share specific organizational patterns.”

Thank goodness that First Church is among those “that have reformed their structures for governance and ministry,” and thank goodness as well that your senior-minister-elect is well-versed and experienced in good governance.

In fact, it would be entirely appropriate for you to find opportunity to thank your Board members for their courage and hard work in introducing good governance, and your Ministerial Search Committee for nominating a candidate with such expertise. The result: this church is poised for growth in numbers, spirit, and service.

          Best,
          David
           

Where I’ll Be

Dear Friends,

Away—during Candidating Week, April 9-18. Out of sight, out of mind. Please do give your full attention to the candidate for settled senior minister, the Rev. Dr. Daniel O’Connell. Take advantage of the multitude of opportunities to get to know the candidate, to ask questions, listen intently, and extend hospitality.

And please, please do be present at worship and immediately following on Sunday, April 18, to cast your ballot.

Remember that Candidating Week is a time for you to get to know the candidate and to decide whether you wish to affirm the recommendation of your Search Committee. They have worked very hard, traveled far, sacrificed evenings and weekends, thought carefully and consulted you fully. Now you can reciprocate by participating on April 18.

Remember as well that Candidating Week is a time for the candidate to get to know the congregation. If you vote to call Daniel, he must likewise decide whether or not to accept your call. It’s a little like dating, but far from blind. Much intentionality and planning have gone into this process. I predict the outcome will be stellar.
And, oh yes, during Candidating Week, as it happens, I will be up the road a few miles at Camp Allen near Navasota where the annual national conference of the UUA accredited interim ministry program will take place. About 40 of us will be put through our paces by an Alban Institute expert on church governance. Then we’ll review the applications received from churches needing interim ministers starting in the fall. After vetting the requests, we’ll decide who should apply where, and off we’ll go. I hope to come to agreement with a congregation by mid-May.

If all goes according to plan, my last Sunday and last day of active service here will be May 23. There should be plenty of opportunity for fond farewells. A little bird tells me an event is being planned for Saturday, May 22, and I’ll want to schedule a time for an informal conversation over coffee and tea for reflections and ruminations on our nearly two years together.

It is not easy for me to leave, but it would be far harder had this congregation not given me such wonderful support, and accomplished so much.

Best,
David