A friend of mine is on the pastoral search committee for a “progressive” church in Charlotte, North Carolina. This person and I have been in constant contact throughout the process, mainly because of my incessant begging to be included on what goes on behind the scenes (for my own interests and to gain a better understanding of a process in which I will eventually take part in the hopes of getting a job).
I recently found out that they had interviewed a very strong candidate: out-going, passionate, energized, eager to lead and invigorate an aging congregation…but she/he lacked senior pastoral experience. Her biggest con was whether or not she/he could lead a staff of three and run a church.
So here is my issue. At what point does a progressive church look past business-minded “risk management” and renew its prophetic voice in the local community? When do they take the risk and tell Charlotte and the rest of the state that they will do what it takes to ensure that their community remains a voice of dissent, change, and opposition to cultural norms?
It is a tough situation but it is one worth discussing. CBF National and CBFNC are always talking about “affirming” women and saying, LOOKING AT US!!! WOMEN CAN PREACH!!! ENVY US!!! Yet less than 10% of CBF National and CBFNC pastors are women. At what point does a church rise above the fray and buck the trend? When do they set the bar and dare others to follow?
That my friends is prophecy.
