So this is the week that many United Methodist pastors move to begin their new appointments.  Clinging to a hope and a prayer that the system really does match a pastor’s gifts with a congregations needs, pastors and congregations anxiously await to see how the first Sunday will go.  Is this a liberal pastor or a “biblical” one?  Is this a congregation of disciples of Jesus Christ seeking to transform the world, or a bunch of self-absorbed conflict-mongering bigots that would rather split over the carpet color than think about the real needs of other people?

No pastor has it easy, but few would deny that anyone entering a white congregation as a non-white-married-male pastor, is going to face additional trials.  All pastors constantly face the scrutinizing eye of the congregations, but women, minorities, single clergy, all face the additional pressure of living into all sorts of stereotyped assumptions.  And as our denomination continues to propel towards split over the ordination of gay persons, those who wish to pursue God’s call into ministry simply must remain completely silent about their sexual orientation if they want to keep their jobs.

If you belong to a congregation welcoming a new clergy, or you’re the new pastor in a new congregation, pay attention to the expectations you have of one another.  Remember that at the end of the day, we are each called “beloved child” by God.  Remember that whatever you believe about “the system” that itinerates pastors, God truly does qualify the ones God calls.  God truly does put us in each others lives to spur one another on to discipleship, no matter how weird the fit is between pastor and congregation.

So pray together.  Don’t do anything to blow your trust with one another right out the gate.    My Christianity has led me to believe we grow best as disciples when we take the time to understand people least like us.  May you find rich blessing in the unique people of your new community together.

PS – the last panel is one of my earliest Wesley Bros Comics.  It seems fitting to add it to this week’s comics since all these new pastors preach their first sermons on 4th of July weekend.