Priestess Diane…

Well, fellow goddess, funny you should ask…

Today I am lying in my bed on a much needed Sunday off. Today the Board Chair will read my letter of resignation to the congregation, effective August 31, 2012. I will have been with this congregation for 8 years and 8 months. Some good times in there, and good work done. But my call is over and my effectiveness to lead them is diminishing. So it’s time.

I have been doing some consultant work with other congregations using a model I developed with a colleague that is quite unique and very effective for managing large projects like building, merging, renovating, re-developing church property. Also excellent for conflict resolution, and counseling/coaching one on one.

I don’t have enough work yet for full time, but I have enough to get started, and I’ve saved four months expenses. So I can finished out the year one way or the other. I also want to do some writing.

that’s where I am. I will miss many aspects of my ministry, like leading worship and preaching. But I really can’t stand the endless demand and consumption of religious services and my presence, all taken with a sense of entitlement. I feel ill-treated and badly paid, but not for the sake of the gospel (which I can handle). Sad to say, if I keep at it at the current rate (and I am one of the higher paid ministers in my area), I work full time til I’m 72 just to generate $30,000 a year in retirement. I have three degrees, including two masters degrees and 25 years of experience. And I’m not a slouch at this ministry thing.

Standing up for real discipleship has become untenable, because it is essentially unwanted by most. In spite of many good people and relationships, the ministry model currently produces an abusive structure for me. This is not what Jesus wants, or what Jesus called me to do. After 25 years I’m going to try and do something else.

My colleague and I are trademarking our process name, and we’ll start from there. I expect that I will always be “in ministry” to some extent, but not in this model.

thank you for asking, my fellow goddess.
D.

Diane,

I’m sure you have touched many in your congregation and if you show the wisdom and compassion that you have done here, you will be sorely missed.

Your new adventure sounds fantastic! Please keep us posted on what happens. And you are NEVER allowed to leave SOS (just saying).

In gratitude of you,

Deb

Sounds like a great opportunity Diane. I can see where you might get burned out on the pastoral side of the ministry. My first husband was a minister for 5 yrs. and just being a minister’s wife was very demanding with little or no appreciation.
Good luck with your new endeavor, but as Deb says, you are not allowed to ever leave S.O.S. Think of us as part of your ministry as well.
Love,
Sharron

Wow! How exciting! And wonderful! And God will provide for you wherever you go and whatever you do!

Does this change your European travel plans for the summer? I am booking for Greenbelt but want to be sure I will meet you there before I do. What accomodation arrangements have you made? Do you want to share a tent lol?

Please write Diane. Please write how misogyny continues to oppress women – how the sexualised society we live in normalises the abuse we have suffered and actually encourages it. Please write it and help save our daughters from it. x love you forever x

Okay, dial it back a bit. I’m scared shitless.
But thanks for believing in me.
And Jos, yes I’m still coming to Greenbelt. I’m staying at The Big Sleep.