District superintendent has unique ‘congregation’

Thank you to the people
of the Austin District

As most of you may know, Bishop Joel N. Martinez is planning to appoint me in June to Tarrytown UMC, Austin. I am honored by his decision. I was a reluctant district superintendent to begin with, but my friend Bill Henderson was right when he told me that it would be the hardest job that I’d ever love. I would not take anything for the experience. I hope that I will be a better pastor because of all I have learned on the job. I look forward to returning to parish ministry.
I will miss many things about being a superintendent, however. I will miss the sun coming over the horizon as I drive through Bastrop on my way to the east end of the Austin District for four charge conferences on a Sunday. I will miss the breeze coming in the windows of the Lytton Springs church during their 9 a.m. service. I will miss the wonderful refreshments served by the good members of the St. James Church in LaGrange. I will miss being asked to do the chicken dance during the dedication of the Oak Hill renovation and expansion.
Though it seems odd now to say so, I will also miss presiding at charge conferences, hearing the hopes and dreams of congregations told sometimes in amusing and touching ways. (In seven years, I have presided at more than 750, including the specially called ones.) I will remember with fondness the warm hospitality of the lay leaders in the churches in which I have been an honored guest. It has been a distinct privilege to poke my nose into local churches and be a participant-observer in their life and work.
The heart and soul of the UMC, for me, is local congregations and frontline agencies of the connection. The good news touches the world most intimately in and through the communities of faith we call congregations. I have been humbled by the deep faith of the laity and by their witness, over and over again, to the healing and nourishing sense of community they have found in their churches. Their loyalty to their churches and to the Methodist connection is amazing.
My clergy colleagues in the district have sometimes called me their “boss.” I have never wanted to be considered anyone’s boss, but I admit that I will miss the role of coach, mentor, guide and counselor to friends who have served the Austin District during my watch. It has been quite a trip to be the “go-to” person. (I also know that any deference shown to me is largely due to the office I hold, not me personally.) It has been gratifying to me to be of assistance to my friends in our labors for the kingdom.
The friendship with the other members of the cabinet is unique. I will miss the laughter, the heated discussions and the tears of my comrades on the cabinet. I will miss the gentle and firm leadership of Bishop Martinez. He has a huge pastoral heart, and it has been inspiring to witness this gift up close.
I have been blessed by a wonderful staff. They really are servant leaders. We have grown close as we have tried to respond to the needs of the churches. Thanks, Jill Barre, Melanie Miner, Nancy Thayer, Wendy Cain, Beth Seward, Alice Edgar, Lisa Jackson and Jay Cooper.
The elected leaders of the district labor so diligently, with very little recognition. Three of them have served so long and well that I will always remember and give thanks for them. Ed Chew has kept the financial books of the district and the Board of Missions for more years than I can count. Marvin Morgenroth has chaired the trustees for at least 10 years. Wayne Riddell has chaired the Church Extension Committee of the Board of Missions since its formation. God bless them for keeping me straight and always responding generously with time and advice when needed.
Bishops and superintendents are the only UMC clergy members forbidden to have charge conference relationships. That is a lonely position to be in. But in writing this, I have realized that my “congregation” for the past seven years has been composed of the bishops and cabinet members (current and past), the staff, the elected district leaders, the staff-parish relations committee chairs and other lay leaders in the churches, and the clergy members who do or have served in the churches and agencies of the district. It has been a rich fellowship.
I believe that Jesus Christ has been present among us and that my faith has been buoyed up in the lonely times by the interventions of my friends in this connectional circle.
Thanks for sharing your lives with me.