Student Liaison Report from September 2004 MFC Meeting
by Rev. Rosemary Lloyd
In December 2003, I met with the MFC in Berkeley, California. Like you, I had
spent many, many weeks compiling my packet, completing the reading list, and,
frankly, worrying about how I would do at my interview.
I confess to several restless nights, heart palpitations and sweaty palms as
the big day approached. On the day of the interview I scheduled some diverting
activities in the morning, lunch with my husband and a good friend, and half
an hour of quiet meditation just before going in. In that quiet I acknowledged
to myself that everything I had done until that moment was preparation for the
interview I was about to have. Indeed, all my life was preparation for my vocation.
I was already a minister. Now, I told myself, I’m going to meet my colleagues
and engage with them about the ideas, history and questions that are central
to my work and life now. (My palms were still quite damp.)
After the interview I reflected on how truly valuable the entire candidating
process had been. It had been an opportunity for me to delve deeply into my
personal history, spiritual development, theology, call, and hope for my ministry
and my chosen faith. All this work had been my privilege. If only I had had
such a positive attitude during all that reading and writing! I share this wisdom-in-retrospect
in the hope that you may begin reminding yourself—now—that you are
engaged in the process of your formation, and to embrace it as such with
gratitude.
Enough preaching. Allow me to share some reflections that may be of help as
you prepare for your important interview with the MFC.
- You’ve heard it before: know your self—and be your self.
The members of the committee are prepared to welcome committed, knowledgeable,
self-aware, mature ministers into the ranks of fellowship. This does not mean
perfect people. It means men and women who have insight into their gifts and
strengths and growing edges. Let the minister in you shine through.
The committee is not looking for cookie cutter ministers. Their gold standard
is authenticity and integrity in your unique ministerial presence.
- Know your packet. The materials you submit are a reflection of your
preparation, performance and potential. The members of the committee know
you only through this material. If there seem to be gaps in your preparation,
evaluations that highlight your growing edges, or suggestions from the RSCC
on how you might address your personal or ministerial development, know it
and own it, and be prepared to answer questions about how you have responded
to recommendations. The committee is interested in hearing how you have grown
over the years it has taken you to prepare for your ministry.
- Know history and the UUA. You are seeking membership in an organization
that has a distinct and distinguished history. Read what is required and integrate
it as best you can into your knowledge base. Strive to understand how the
UUA is organized and to what it is committed. In particular, grasp the importance
of our commitment to the work and ideals of anti-racism and anti-oppression
and be prepared to speak to your understanding, practice and commitment.
- The sermon. This is a fine opportunity to share elements of your
personal odyssey towards Unitarian Universalist ministry, to articulate your
passion and compassion, or to inspire and minister to the committee. Ten minutes
is what is asked for, and all that you ought to give. Before your sermon,
a member of the committee will light a chalice; consider demonstrating your
worship skills by having some chalice words prepared to share.
- First question. This one’s for you. It is your chance to set
a tone, to let your personality shine through a natural nervousness. Was there
a problem that cropped up in CPE? This could be a good opportunity to move
the issue off the table. Is there something you felt wasn’t fully expressed
in your packet? Prepare a question that gives you another chance. You might
also formulate a question that allows you to demonstrate your excitement or
knowledge about a specific issue or subject. It’s really up to you.
- Nobody’s perfect. So don’t try to fake it. Study, reflect,
write, prepare. But if a question arises that you simply cannot answer, be
honest and graceful enough to say so, and address how you will enhance your
knowledge as you move forward in your ministry.
- Study group. Months before you appear before the MFC, consider creating
or joining a collegial study group to keep one another on schedule for gathering
and submitting your evaluations, recommendations, essays, and competencies.
Challenge one another in areas of history, UUA organization, anti-racisim/anti-oppression
principles and practices, and world religions. Invite area ministers and knowledgeable
lay people to help you conduct a “mock” MFC process—including
practicing your sermon.
- Trust the process. I was deeply impressed by the compassion, generosity
and integrity of the members of the MFC panel I observed. Having begun each
day with worship, the committee was spiritually grounded and awaited each
candidate with hope. When questions about a candidate’s readiness arose,
the committee wrestled with their concerns about the added time and money
that might have to be invested to fulfill certain requirements. They strove
for and reached consensus after careful discernment, thoughtfully and compassionately
balancing their concerns for the candidates, their ministries, and the UU
movement. Remember that a “3,” however disappointing in the moment,
is a validation that the committee does see a minister in the candidate—a
candidate who is being given the opportunity to develop in ways that will
serve that minister and her future ministry.
May your journey toward ministry be one of self-discovery and joy,
and may you long serve truth and justice in love,
Rosemary Lloyd
Liaison to Students Report, September 2004
Jackie Clement
I know from my own experience of appearing before the Ministerial Fellowship
Committee that it is a process cloaked in myth and mystery, not of their making
but growing out of our own anxiety. Seeing the Committee evaporated many of
the myths for me, but having now sat with them through the preparation, interviews
and discussions I hope I can dispel some of the myths for you, too.
The Committee is truly rooting for the candidates. They are compassionate and
collegial, and will do whatever they can to help you through this important
and nerve-wracking experience. They know that many (most? all?) of us are nervous
to at least some degree, and sincerely try to create an atmosphere that will
ease the tension. They worry about the height and placement of the pulpit and
whether fresh water is available. They provide chalice and flowers and an altar
covering to create a welcoming atmosphere. They do not scowl or sit stone-faced
through the sermon as I had heard so many times during my seminary years. The
members are concerned with your well-being, just as they are tasked with looking
after the well-being of our ministry.
The MFC would like to know that you have a good foundation in the areas of
competence, but are not looking to trip you up on minutiae. If you do not know
the answer to a question, you might simply say so. If you know where you might
find the answer all the better, but repeating memorized data is not the point
of the interview. They are far more interested in your presence, self-awareness
and self-presentation. I therefore offer these words of advice.
Before the interview prepare your packet carefully and know its contents. I
was surprised in my own interview by the number of questions drawn directly
from my packet, my experiences and evaluations. This continued to be true for
the interviews I witnessed. Know the material in your packet, understand why
you wrote what you did and why others wrote what they did, and be able to discuss
it. In your paperwork and during the interview be open and honest. Know yourself.
Be able to acknowledge your gifts and not hide from your challenges. If you
have certain reactions to stress (like forgetting every fact you ever learned!),
you can share that with the Committee. They will not fault you for being nervous,
but will applaud your self-awareness. Monitor how you are feeling during the
interview and if you feel there is something the Committee should know, share
it with them. Acknowledge where you are physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Remember you are there to show them a potential minister. The members of the
MFC work harder than just about anyone I have seen. Whatever you can do to make
them comfortable, as they try to make you comfortable, will reflect well on
your ministerial skills. Remember in writing your sermon that they are people
with their own joys and sorrows and triumphs and struggles. Try to be aware
of the cues they present you about whether your answers are too long, too short
or just right. Remember that this is a team process, not an adversarial one.
I wish you all the best in your interview. It is an important moment in our
ministerial preparation, part of the whole, not an end in itself. May you gain
from it all that you can.
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