Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Cluster Meeting

Our UMC Conference has mandated "clusters" where clergy get together toward some goals. I was in one last year, and it was kind of lame. The guys were good guys and all, but they weren't where I was, and it didn't really seem like anyone really cared where the others were. We went through the Natural Church Development book, mostly because we had to (I don't think it made any lasting impact on any of us).

So anyway, our cluster leaders both left to be a part of a new thing the district is trying, leaving us clusterless. Last month at our monthly county clergy meeting, I mentioned that I was without a cluster, and one of the other guys said that theirs was looking to expand, but that it wasn't a "normal" cluster. Instead of meeting monthly, they meet weekly, and it's more of an accountability group.

So last week I got to meet them, and we decided that I could be a good fit, but that it was meeting too far away for me to want to drive every week - so they changed where they were meeting, just for me (cutting nearly 1/2 hour off my drive time). This week was my first cluster meeting, and I rode my bike there so Tara could have the car (which that was a whole 'nother adventure), but when the guys realized why I had ridden my bike, [i]they were willing to change the time and day of the meeting[/i]. They had already changed the location, and now they have changed to a better time for me.

I was really impressed that they'd do that for me, even though this was my first meeting with them.

6 comments:

Rev.Dulce said...

We are doing something similar in my District. Unfortunately, this conflicted with my "real" accountability group. Now there is no sharing, accountability, etc.

We were doing what they wanted without the "Official" rules. Now it has all fallen apart.

Glad to hear that you were able to connect with people that cared enough to re-arrange things. Cool isn't it?

Brian Vinson said...

Our district has been very lenient and flexible about what constitutes a cluster group, and existing accountability groups (like the one I joined up with) can count as one if they add in a couple pieces.

Derek said...

That's pretty neat, BV! Although, I have to admit, another phrase came to mind each time you said "cluster" :-P

muzik said...

I think it's cool. Man people who don't even know you are willing to move mountains and sacrifice of themselves. That's the work of God in their lives.

Brian Vinson said...

That's pretty neat, BV! Although, I have to admit, another phrase came to mind each time you said "cluster" :-P

:-P right back at you, Derek.

Brian Vinson said...

I think it's cool. Man people who don't even know you are willing to move mountains and sacrifice of themselves. That's the work of God in their lives. Yeah, it's cool. And it's real Christian community, something that I've looked for ever since leaving seminary.