The UM News Service reported on the recent Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches: "The convocation, held Jan. 3-6, was designed to help United Methodist pastors and leaders of African-American congregations be intentional about focusing on healthy options that connect spirit, body and mind." My bishop, Gregory Palmer, who is a great preacher, spoke at the Convocation.
Last year, clergy women met in Chicago to discuss issues relevant to their ministries. There are also regular gatherings for ethic minority pastors.
I'm just wondering when SAM's (Straight, Anglo/Saxon Males) will get the chance to meet to talk about their particular issues? It's not that I opposed to these various groups who share commonality meeting together. In fact, I'm convinced that the participants benefit greatly. I just wonder when my group, SAMs, is going to have the opportunity host an exclusive gathering with the financial support of the Church?
Of course, the answer is never. It would be politically incorrect and exclusive for SAMs to meet as a group. If such a gathering were even talked about, there would be such an uproar that it would never get off the ground.
I'm sure these other groups of clergy face struggles and discrimination that I will never have to deal with. But does that mean, I and those like me should be excluded from receiving support and encouragement that is unique to our situation?
It's kind of like girls playing football. Now, I don't have a problem with girls suiting up. If they enjoy playing the game, let them play. What I don't get is why boys can't play volleyball? Or why can a woman complete on the PGA, but men aren't allowed on the WPGA? Is the answer to discrimination, reverse discrimination? I don't want anything that is superior to what others have. I would like equal opportunities though.
And it's not that I'd really want to see at exclusive gathering of SAM's take place. I value the insights of women and ethnic minorities, I'm just trying to make a point that what's good for the goose, should be good for the gander as well.
Could you send me a membership application?
Posted by: Questing Parson | January 23, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Haven't SAMs had their chance for about the last, oh... couple millennia? :)
Posted by: Alan | January 24, 2007 at 10:31 AM
You may have missed it, being young as you are, but for decades SAMS met with church funds.
Posted by: StCasserole | January 27, 2007 at 12:20 PM
John, I think you're right. The SAM's do need a caucus. Not because we don't get enough "support and encouragement that is unique to our situation" (after all, Western culture is tailored to our needs), but becuase we need to recognize that our perspective should not be normative for the church. By honestly analyzing the ways in which our privelage influences our ministry we can create a space for more open dialogue in our communities.
By the way - I hope to begin serving in Iowa in July, maybe we should get together and work on implementing this plan.
Posted by: Sean McRoberts | January 29, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Sean,
Let me be among the first to welcome you to the great state of Iowa. I've been serving here for 20 years.
Are you a native? Honestly, not many non-Iowan's come to Iowa. I can't imagine why our climate is wonderful, 95 degree with 90% humidity in August & 20 degrees below zero with 30 mph winds in January.
Posted by: John B | January 29, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Thanks, John, in fact I am a native (Iowa City). But I'll be bringing my Coloradan wife with me. We think she'll be fine.
Posted by: Sean McRoberts | January 29, 2007 at 04:29 PM
I'm a little frustrated at the divisions we have built, too. There aren't but so many hours in a day, so when you construct caucuses for certain ethnic minorities to meet with one another, it seems it would take away an opportunity to network with pastors from "non-ethnic" congregations. I'd like to see us put more focus on getting together and tear down these cultural walls rather than to keep propping them up.
Posted by: Ray Reavis | May 03, 2007 at 04:37 PM