Conference Minister's Corner 9.9.26

Conference Minister

Rev. Gordon Rankin 9.9.26

“Sculpting every move you compose a symphony. You plead to everyone, ‘see the art in me’”. These are lyrics from the chorus of the song Art in Me by the Christian Contemporary Musicians, Jars of Clay.

For eleven years now, I have been part of a Community of Practice with other Conference Minister colleagues. It has been the same Community of Practice though some folks have gone and others have come. There are so many things this Community of Practice group has offered to me over these eleven years. They have offered me comradery, vision for the future of the church, comfort when I’ve experienced losses, and laughter at the absurdities of this thing called ministry. They are a huge part of who I am and what I do as a Conference Minister. 

Perhaps what I value most about my Community of Practice colleagues is that they see and name and call forth those God-created parts of me that I may not see or see how they may be applicable in a certain situation. They help me celebrate parts of me that I’d be content to let languish in obscurity. There are days when they literally plead with me to see the art in me. And I do, because they have first dared to recognize and declare as beautiful what I’d be content to keep hidden.

I don’t think my ministry would be nearly as successful or impactful without them.

Here in the New Hampshire Conference, what are referred to in other places as Communities of Practice, we call Pastoral Leadership Development Groups. I could not more strongly encourage that all authorized ministers participate in one or a similar type of collegial gathering. In my experience, they are an essential part of remaining grounded, focused and present to meeting the ministry needs of this day. But more so, to have trusted colleagues who can help you see the gifted parts of yourself that you are unable to see is nothing short of embodied grace. 

Gordon