Friday Five:

Friday Five: At RevgalBlogPals, a blog around women clergy issues often challenges us to discuss various topics. Today’s questions are interesting because they force me to think about things that I normally wouldn’t.

1. Personality tests; love them or hate them? I enjoy them. The Myers-Briggs I have referred to for many years as a way to understand myself and others. It allows me to cut folks some slack when I find that their ways are different from mine. I have never done the Enniagram but would like to. It just would give me a few more areas to explore than does the Myers-Briggs.

2. Would you describe yourself as practical, creative, intellectual or a mixture ? I am a mixture. It really depends on the amount of energy I have for things. I like writing, developing different ways to address issues or problems, but if energy is short, I work at trying to be practical, how can I get something done with the least amount of energy.

3. It is said that everyone has their 15 minutes of fame; have you had your yet? If so what was it, if not dream away what would you like it to be? I would like a final chance to be a representative to my judicatory council.

4. If you were given a 2 year sabbatical ( oh the dream of it) to create something would it be music, literature, art.....something completely different...share your dream with us... A two year sabbatical? Way too long! If the sabbatical is there for one to improve one’s skills to do ministry in the original setting, it is far too long to be away from pastoral ministry. I have been on a ‘forced sabbatical’ for the past 3 years and it has been hell. But I have learned that centering on what is basic is an important part of faith life. Being with out income, with out meaningful work has introduced me to centrality on Christ alone for my meaning and it makes all the rest of life clearer.

5. . Describe a talent you would like to develop, but that seems completely beyond you. Cleaning house. But I think at my place in life I will have to accept that I can’t do everything. Tee Hee.

Bonus question: Back to the church- what does every member ministry mean to you? Is it truly possible to encourage/ implement?Every member ministry is where all members of the congregation understands that they are called to ministry the same as the clergy. I want people to understand the joy that comes when they understand this call from God. There is a temptation to just see that every member ministry is to take the pastor off the hook. But it is really helping all the baptized to realize their calling. And I truly believe that when the majority of the parish has an understanding of their own calling, the ministry of the parish becomes enlivening to all.