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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Doug</span></font><font
face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>I keep thinking about your question, and
feeling like I should have something to say about it, and coming up close to
empty, but my heart aches for your congregation, and I hope that your tension
is peacefully resolved in due time. I also keep thinking that many are wiser
than I am on the subject of your need, but I can tell we’re already
pretty well taken up on another very important subject. I note, though, that a
few have spoken well to your needs. I’d like to try to help, too.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>To the point: I get the sense that your
congregation is really wanting to “get a pastor” and you might be
too worn out from the first go to “do it well” again, and maybe
again. Here are some possibilities:</span></font></p>
<ol start=1 type=1>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Properly understood, of course, stop
trying to “get a pastor”. You believe in the Holy Spirit. You will
have a new pastor if you as a church stick to what it means to you to be
church.</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Open Space</span></font><font
face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'> is about
sharing words. That’s very theological, very good. Goes back to
Genesis 1. So, keep on doing it. Share your words. Share your passions.</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>In this way understand who God has
called you to be as the church-wherever-you-are. Know your passions. Then
keep doing them.</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>From this, you will understand what
you need a pastor to be and to do, and how you will relate to each other. </span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>You might also think about marriages.
It’s kind of what happens when churches and pastors hook up.</span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>By the way, in our circles, 12 to 24
months is the norm between losing a pastor and receiving another.</span></font></li>
</ol>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Finally, we have some very good pastors on
this list, and some very good laity, not all of whom are members of churches,
or even self-identify as </span></font><font face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Christian</span></font><font
face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>, and I hope
that as time allows, more will speak to your need. You are doing well to seek
counsel of people who understand the power of words and the power of freedom. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Best Wishes Always,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'>Jim</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face="Century Gothic"> </font></p>
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