Hello Dear Friends,
Three and a half years ago, I was graduating from seminary without a church job to start. My denomination and I had decided together that there wasn’t a place for non-traditional ministry within my conference, despite my clear call to just that. The resources, the structures, the pathways, the mentors: all the support was geared to traditional parish ministry. I’m called to pastoral work, but I’m not called to a parish.
And when I look around, it seems that the ‘parish’ model for church is crumbling in front of us. Although I think the reasons why are good ones, the reality is that unless we actively imagine and road-test new models, we won’t have anything to replace it with, no matter why or how fast it happens. So how lucky I was that I happened to go out for fried chicken with my friend Carrie Graham. And how lucky it was that she and the board of directors of The Church Lab had just decided they were ready to hire on some part-time help. And how lucky it was that TCL’s goals and offerings aligned with exactly what I thought I needed to learn. Or maybe it wasn’t luck. Maybe it was God’s providence.
Here, three and a half years later, the role I have with TCL is about to make a big shift. I’ve learned, as Carrie says, ‘how the sausage is made’ when it comes to non-traditional ministry. That is to say, I’ve learned about the demand for technology and the need for flexibility and the need to raise enough money each December to keep the doors open starting in January. I’ve learned how to create a healthy, dynamic, reliable culture; one wherein trust is paramount, boundaries are respected, and genuine friendships are built. I’ve learned pastoral care and worship leadership, how to integrate social justice, and how to use what felt like a million online platforms! I was offered the opportunity to grow myself and my leadership capacity as the organization also grew exponentially.
Starting in 2022, I’ll move from being Carrie’s pastoral assistant to being someone she can call on to step in and lead dialogue or write a blog when she needs to. I’ll also move into a consulting role, one I’ve been nurtured and prepared for all along. I’ll use the creativity, flexibility, imagination, road-testing, and knowledge I’ve gained to innovate spiritual growth in those who participate with us and to help the church I love find her future. Hopefully, as the old models deteriorate, something we have yet to imagine will emerge. Something built on true bridge-building; something flexible and stronger for being so. I hope I can be a part of that.
I’ll still be around TCL. TheChurch Lab is in my heart, especially since I know how the sausage is made. I’ll be sharing my resources so that the doors will continue to open each January. I’ll be attending dialogue every other Monday as often as my new job will allow. And I’ll continue to do my best to support all those still deeply inside as they carry TCL to whatever its next level is.
Thank you to Carrie, to this year’s shoulder-to-the-grindstone BOD, to all the people I dialogue with (whom I love), and to all TCL’s financial and prayer supporters. We’re all making it happen. I couldn’t be more grateful for the last three and a half years and to God for making it happen.
Blessings,
Ollie