Perspectives on Hope: Why...? Why Not!

It has been five days since my official start as the Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM) of the Detroit Conference of The United Methodist Church.  When news of this new appointment began spreading out across the connection last spring, as well as across my own family network, there was mixed responses sent my way.  Some were the normal congratulatory notes one expects to receive on any knew stage of life.  Some were the expected general agency communications seeking to make sure that I knew of my new relationship and role.  These are expected responses and thus easily moved through and set aside. 

However, there were two other types of responses that captivated my attention more fully.  On one hand were the genuine notes and calls from Detroit Conference leaders letting me know that you were glad to have me as part of our shared ministries.  Perhaps it was my own passionate desire to make a difference that caused me to perceive things in a certain way, but the energy conveyed by many of you was one of yearning, collaboration, expectancy and readiness to build a future of hope as the body of Christ in this time and place.  

 

In marked contrast to this energy were the varied questions people would ask, all seemingly based on a presumption that now was not the time to come to this region of the country.  These questions were even raised from people in the secular environment as my wife, Ruth, and I began preparing a home to live in.  For example:

 

• “Why are you moving to Detroit when the auto industry is in such trouble?”

• “Why are you moving to the East side of the state when everyone else is moving West or out of state?”

• “Why do you want to move to Flint?”

• “Why do you want to leave the West Michigan Conference?”

• “Why leave appointive Cabinet a year early?  Stay and then take a local church.”

 

As people pleaded “Why?” my gut response was to proclaim a resounding “Why not!”.  I have always assumed, and have strived to live out, that when adversity presents itself in our particular life situations, then it is time to face it with clarity and creativity.  It calls upon us to engage our faith in God’s initiative, and then our best selves and our best partnerships to bring forth life.  I am mindful of a couple of scripture verses that give us the divine invitation to consider our perspectives:

 

“… I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendents may live …” Deuteronomy 30:19b

 

“… I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”    John 10:10b

 

It is not that I am an eternal optimist or have an aversion to facing hard and complex issues generated by our current economic challenges and historic membership decline.  Rather, my insistence that this is a good time to be coming to the Detroit Conference is rooted in my deep belief that God is generative—

 

--creating new out of old—creating new beyond the old

—BRINGING FORTH LIFE IN THE MIDST OF DEATH

—shining light in the midst of darkness

—opening new pathways when former doors are closed or closing.

 

Another question that many people have asked is what I am actually supposed to be doing.  The worst job or role to have is one that is not defined or clarified.  When I was interviewed for the Detroit Conference Director of Connectional Ministries position, I asked the interview team what they expected from the DCM, along side of or in addition to what the Job Description and Book of Discipline lay out.  Without giving out confidential information, two paraphrased basic responses remain particularly memorable:

 

--To be the face of the conference.

--To engage with others in responsive listening.

 

To do either of these will require that I find a variety of ways to be in spaces with lay and clergy leaders across the entire conference.  You may find me in your pew on a Sunday morning, not to observe or analyze, but to gain understanding and appreciation for your context for ministry.  You may find me online seeking to engage you in the sharing of life-giving ideas.  [Be watching for new and expanded dimensions of our communications ministry in the months ahead.]  You may find me in a small group dialogue for generating best practices for a new day.

 

The DCM job description is linked to disciplinary priorities toward equipping vision and building linkages and partnerships.  Two aspects that I will invest in quickly, given the new leadership structure and new mission statement approved at our Annual Conference in May 2009:

 

(1) to serve as steward of the vision of the annual conference, including the development, clarification, interpretation, and embodiment of the vision;

(2) to serve as leader of the continuous process of transformation and renewal necessary for the annual conference to be faithful to our Christian identity in a changing world;

 

But to what end?  The 2008 General Conference affirmed that “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  At our 2009 Detroit Annual Conference we affirmed a new vision for the future, “To create and nurture dynamic and fruitful congregations who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

 

The connection of the two is intentional.  These now become my lenses as I begin my new relationship with, among, and along side of each of you and your settings of ministry.  I anticipate being engaged by you, and to be engaging you in sharing perspectives on hope.  You will find me most responsive to e-mail and phone contact on a consistent basis.  My contact information is:

 

Rev. Dr. Jerome (Jerry) DeVine

Director of Connectional Ministries

1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., Suite 1

Flint, MI 48504

810-233-5500  or 800-334-0544

e-mail: jdevine@detroitconference.org

 

I look forward to what God will do to and through us in the year ahead!

 

In Christ’s circle,

 

Jerome (Jerry) DeVine

By: Rev. Dr. Jerome (Jerry) DeVine On 7/7/2009
Topics: Reflections