On Sunday, April 10 many of us participated in a Congregational Meeting to decide whether to negotiate a contract to lease space at UCG for use by a charter school. This meeting was the culmination of an intense, several-months-long process led by an ad-hoc committee chaired by Beth Hinrichs. This process involved substantial research, meetings with representatives from involved entities, and several informational workshops, listening sessions, and written communications with the UCG congregation. The discussion at the congregational meeting was lengthy, and included impassioned comments on several sides of the issue. Ultimately, the congregation voted to not pursue the arrangement with the charter school.

This process was not the first congregation-wide discernment around an important issue that we have faced. In the past few years, we have gone through similarly involved discussions regarding: deciding the structure of our clergy team; determining whether to keep a Payroll Protection Plan federal disbursement, and then how to spend the residual funds associated with that disbursement; and leasing parking spots to a nearby Publix. It is certain we will continue to face similarly complex and sometimes controversial issues as our church and the world around us changes. As I reflect on these decisions and the discernment processes that precede them, a few important tenets come to mind that I think are important for me to remember. I hope you will consider them, as well:

Assume good faith in my fellow congregants

There were many comments made during the latest congregational meeting, and I disagreed with some of them, in several cases quite strongly. I know every person that spoke; some of them I know quite well. For that reason I know that every one of those folks loves our church, and only wants the best for our congregation and for the world we serve. I think it is safe to assume the same for anybody who cares enough to engage in church discussions and processes. I think this assumption holds doubly true for our congregational leaders who give of themselves to help us discern a path forward. I find that if I start with this assumption of good faith, it helps me to concentrate on the person behind the message, and to perhaps better understand others’ viewpoints.

Trust the process

I have semi-seriously remarked in the past that at UCG, process is a sacrament. We have created processes for how to run congregational meetings; for how to hire new ministers; for how fundraising should be done; for ensuring the safety of our children; and on and on. Sometimes these processes involve the entire congregation, and sometimes decisions are delegated to a representative subset of the whole, like Church Council or a ministerial search committee. Good process is well thought out and is written down ahead of time. This helps to ensure that when we come to important or difficult decisions, we have a way forward that we’ve already agreed on, that is consistent with our values, and with our congregational structure. Understanding that our well-thought-out processes have served us well in the past gives me confidence that we can face each difficult conversation in a way that honors everyone and is consistent with our values.

Be ok with the outcome of congregational process, even when it’s not my preferred result

When we come together to carefully weigh options, talk to each other, and make decisions as a congregation, I realize that something important and meaningful has happened. Some might think of this as the emergent wisdom of the group; others might consider it the work of the Holy Spirit. Regardless, it is something bigger than any one of us. And this realization helps me to accept that regardless of whether I agree with any particular outcome or not, these decisions were made in good faith and for the greater good. To me that is one of the blessings of being part of an engaged and participatory community of faith like UCG.

The Congregation-Ministry Review Board’s mission is to serve as a conduit between the ministers and the congregation. If you ever want to discuss a problem, concern, or something that went great, don’t hesitate to contact former CMRB chair Tim Martin, or any of the CMRB members: Jeremy Archer, RD Bonnaghan, Barbara Beynon, Maureen Cox, Fonda Eyler, Barb Gibbs, Andy Ingram, Helda Montero, Nan Ryan (Chair), Donn Smith-Lopez, Bill Zegel

Tim Martin