Comments for Digging a lot

Comment on 2 thoughts on Preston v Methodist Church:2 by graham

graham — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:57:50 +0000

Thanks very much Andy. I feel it needs more to say ‘the King has no clothes on’ yet.

Much as I would love the USA, there is no cricket, misery or bad weather. I would miss all 3….

Comment on 2 thoughts on Preston v Methodist Church:1 by graham

graham — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:55:20 +0000

Thanks Robert. Yes, I think I would also have also welcomed it would open to view a minister’s competence…which we don’t really do. The system we have has never really been examined- the by product is that a lot of extra meetings/evaluations have been grafted on, almost ‘Heath Robinson’ like- the result is that it is opaque and hard to understand. Nothing can be truly ‘objective’- I fear what we do is far from it and would be jumped on if we were employees.

Comment on 2 thoughts on Preston v Methodist Church:2 by Andy Williams

Andy Williams — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:14:36 +0000

Dear Graham,

This is a very good and thoughtful post. It challenges the present structures. Do you fancy the USA I know lots of churches that would love you.

Bless you Graham for your honesty and prophetic voice.

Andy

Comment on 2 thoughts on Preston v Methodist Church:1 by Robert

Robert — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:57:58 +0000

I followed the Preston case carefully through its various stages and as a trade union member and former Personnel Manager I wanted the judgement to go in Haley Preston’s favour as presented by her legal team. Not for her justice so much, but by granting employment rights the Church has more options when difficult questions arise over a Minister’s competence or motivation. An independent legal view on whether dismissal is fair or not is nothing that any good employer should fear. It certainly did not bother me when I was in Personnel work.

Perversely the judgement works against the Church. We have a number of challenging Ministers who remain entitled to housing and stipend so long as they are in full Connexion. I can think of one character who had pastoral charge of a Church of 10 members and was allowed to preach once a month or so in his final appointment. It was very silly.

The continuing status quo means that ministers have far greater security of tenure than any other professional group in so far as the Church is obliged to house and grant a stipend to us. I will vote for that!

This whole affair was messy and Ms Preston deserved her day in court as a matter of natural justice.

However, I do have an unease for an organisation that will not afford its leadership the same rights as the Church caretaker in employment matters. It is rather puzzling.

Comment on 2 thoughts on Preston v Methodist Church:1 by 2 thoughts on Preston v Methodist Church:1 – Digging a lot - Christian IBD

2 thoughts on Preston v Methodist Church:1 – Digging a lot - Christian IBD — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:16:14 +0000

[...] Last week the Law Lords reached a final judgement on Preston v Methodist Church of Great Britain. (see http://ukscblog.com/case-preview-the-president-of-the-methodist-conference-v-preston-formerly-moore for some background) The … View full post on methodist – Google Blog Search [...]

Comment on Not a holiday part4 by A few more reflections on our wilderness retreat… | this fragile tent

A few more reflections on our wilderness retreat… | this fragile tent — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:55:50 +0000

[...] is a blogger too, and his blog has had a series of reflections on the retreat- the last of which is here. I loved [...]

Comment on Not a holiday part3 by sldawlatly

sldawlatly — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:07:21 +0000

Lovely blog. Hadn’t thought about majority world….

Great picture too. Had I just unleashed a “purple”?

Comment on Time and cricket…. by graham

graham — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:26:45 +0000

Thank you Pramod- that is the nicest ‘selling’ email I have received so I am letting it through. Lovely pictures by the way!

Comment on Time and cricket…. by Pramod

Pramod — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:13:56 +0000

Hi Graham,

Lovely photo and share your thoughts on the times and cricket.
Just thought you’ll enjoy some similar images. Have been collecting these from all over. Please see here.

http://pinterest.com/iamacricketer/boards/

http://pinterest.com/iamacricketer/i-am-a-cricketer/

http://pinterest.com/pin/450571137689946643/

Just maybe, you’d also like to check out http://www.cricketershop.com

Hope you keep posting more on your boys.

Regards,

Comment on Not a holiday pt2 by graham

graham — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:33:05 +0000

Thank you both…. and as a minister, I would plead guilty…