Yesterday I was offered a spot on a leadership team for an upcoming Synod-wide two-year long project that is being underwritten by the Board of Pensions for our denomination. I was very, very surprised to get this particular nod. If I accept, I will be one of three or four clergy to work with two or three Executive Presbyters (non-Presbies:think bishop-level in terms of hierarchy; it's the person who pastors the pastors)to organize and implement this program.

So now, the hard part of clicking through the pros and cons list before I present this idea to the Session (governing board) of my church.

PROS
1. It is an incredible honor to be called out from 100's of clergy to be in this role.

2. It is an opportunity to serve the wider church, there by putting my money where my mouth is in terms of what I try to communicate to my congregation about not being too concentric in our concern.

3. It is a chance to form relationships outside the tiny little community I have here at St. Stoic.

4. Who am I kidding? It would kick a## on a PIF (resume).

5. The target area of concern here is one that I carry a burden for within the church and the Church.

6. It is a chance to stretch my leadership skills.

7. I think it would reflect well on the people of St. Stoic that I was called to do this.

Now,

CONS

1. This is new territory, which comes with a built-in potential for failure.

2. It will involve time away from St. Stoic. Have I been here long enough to do this?

3. It will involve time away from my family. (Although I will admit that it is not as big a CON as it would have been five years ago.)

4. Is this the time to add new responsibility to a full plate? In sixth months I will begin my third year here. I have been told a hundred times that year #3 is the hardest.

QUESTIONS I AM ASKING MYSELF:

1. Am I being groomed for something? If so, what is this thing?

2. Am the 'girl who can't say no?'

3. Is there huge ego involved in this? And, is that a bad thing?


Any wisdom, revgal pals (or others)?