When two or three (or even 7) are gathered...

I had the privilege of joining 6 other colleagues this morning for a conversation about being clergy, staying grounded and learning from one another. It was an answer to prayer - another way to learn and ripen in this new land - what's more the convener is someone I met about 7 years ago who helped me work on strategic planning in Tucson.

There is much to say about this emerging group - it felt very safe and authentic - and I think it holds potential for helping me grow in ministry at this stage in my life. Like all "guilds," ordained clergy have unique needs and concerns so it was good to sit and listen and share with those who journey on a similar path. There was also the acknowledgement that as the role of ministry and church shifts in the 21st century, clergy and laity are still trying to sort out what this might mean - and that creates new areas of stress and confusion. Like another colleague (not a part of this group) recently observed there is a whole realm of Christian writing and publishing that bears NO resemblance to our historic tradition. (What many don't grasp - and struggle with - is that OUR tradition has now become the minority and that OTHER Christianity is now normative - but that's for another time.)

This feels like a good step - and I am grateful for the connection with others gathered in Christ's name.