He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few…” (Luke 10:2a)
By now we’re all well-aware of the acute shortage, for any number of reasons, of available laborers in American businesses. “Workers are in demand,” reports AARP magazine. “Employers are stepping up their hiring “(AARP Bulletin April, 2022) – and research shows the particular values (far beyond academic degrees) that employers are looking for: professionalism, work ethic, leadership, and problem-solving.
Does anyone doubt that we’re looking for the very same qualities among our clergy and key laity in our churches these days? As I leave my position as North District Superintendent after four years, know that I am gratified and excited to be moving into a position which many have testified seems to be a perfect fit for me: a brand new role called Leadership Development Manager in our Eastern PA Conference.
It’s a less-than-fulltime job, mostly because of my insistence on creating a healthier balance in my own life (not because of any lack of commitment from the Annual Conference). After July, I expect to be a resource to congregations choosing to put energy behind the achievement of our five identified markers of Congregational vitality, and also to enhancing our culture here in EPA around raising up new & excellent clergy to serve our churches. And guess what? Within our particular environment of spiritual depth and character, of course, I’ll be looking to recruit and develop some of these same values as the rest of the business world: professionalism, work ethic, leadership, and problem-solving.
The staff position, initially, comes without any budgetary funding aligned with the Leadership Development office, specifically – so as I depart from the North District, I invite your help. If you or your congregation wish(es) to express appreciation for my time as Superintendent and if you are encouraged by the creation of this new Conference staff position, please consider a financial gift to help launch this ministry successfully. Already, three of our North District congregations have made a pledge of $500.00 to this mission:
- Bethlehem: Fritz
- Danielsville: Salem, and
- Allentown: Asbury
And I promise you that Joan and I have made a $500.00 gift, as well.
The shortage of laborers is as old as the first-century early Church, but strategies are in place in attempt to turn that around here in EPA. I thank you, North District, for all the experiences across these recent four years which will further equip me for success in this new appointment. And please know: I leave you from our fulltime partnership, but I remain available to North…just as I am to the other three districts in the EPA conference.
We will see each other again!
The basics have not changed: “The mission you are on is under the eye of the Lord.” (Judges 18:6b). Thanks be to God!
~~~
Contributions may be mailed to our North District office in Valley Forge, or gifted through a special addition to the June or July monthly remittance. Or, alternatively, you could send your check(s) to the Conference Treasurer, made payable to EPAUMC with the notation on the memo line that it is to go towards the Leadership Development Office. The address is EPAUMC, Attn: Conference Treasurer, PO Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482.