A bit ago, I sat out in our district office hallway in front of my office and Yolanda sat in front of hers and we talked. We do talk in the office---I like that very much. Yolanda is a first year d.s. and doing a great job of caring for her churches and pastors. She is not only in the midst of charge conferences, but also evaluation/consultations with each pastor in her district. I have not scheduled mine till January. I was in my "old woman of the hill" mode today (me so experienced three years in) and found myself, as I sometimes do with Yolanda, speaking of some deep feelings ... this time, 'twas about the superintendency itself. We were agreeing that there is something that no D.S. training can teach you to anticipate: that this d.s. gig offers you the opportunity to love pastors in a way that no other ministry/position does. You are privy to deep joys and deep hurts of these ones who to a person (nearly) are giving their all for this vocation called licensed or ordained ministry. You hear how they are offering Christ to their people and to their communities. And you realize that you are "handling holy things" when you are trusted by your pastors as they tell you their truths. And it is an awe-filled and joy-filled and sometimes tear-filled blessing and a sacred trust. Yes, there are the problems. But ah, it is a beautiful gift, really, this superintendency thing. I hear and see Christ coming so often through these churches, these pastors. And I am grateful.
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