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Introducing the Reverend Peter Courtney pc@petercourtney.net |
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Ministry Vision & Style
Words of the prophet Joel are a motto for ministry:"I will pour out my spirit on all flesh, your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young people shall see visions and your old ones dream dreams." The Church is spiritually alive for me when she: respects the past and hopes for the future, thirsts for scriptural interpretation of contemporary life, acts as if laity and clergy alike really do share Jesus' ministry, and values competence, integrity, humor and vigor in pastoral leadership.
You can expect me to
Act as if the Gospel demands rigorous honesty--at least from the preacher.
Form a strong, professional staff to support the ministry of the baptized.
Design worship that respects The Book of Common Prayer and occasionally stretches it.
Arrive in jump-start mode and when I leave the last you will see of me is my taillights.
Focus on the interim tasks of coming to terms with history, accepting identity, connecting with the diocese, shaping new leadership, and welcoming the new rector
Vigorously promote the traditional Anglican values of inclusion, theological generosity, and the centrality of common prayer.
Value relationship over being right
Laugh and sing!Ministry Emphases
Worship Leader
Believe less is more. Simplify the shape of worship and enrich its content with musical and liturgical variety. Worship under my leadership is vigorous and focused. Established healing ministry in several congregations. Accustomed to attendance from 250 (summer) 1200 (Easter). Reprint liturgy for ease of use for visitors and children.
Preacher
Preaching styles vary from informal chatting to epic tall tales and always preach with conviction and passion. People quote from my sermons and sometimes remember them longer than I do.
Crisis Minister
Pastoral care begins with a consistent vision of the parish as a safe place. I create safety by being a truth-teller. Maintain excellent rapport with persons in acute stress. They often claim me as model for managing their own pain. People see me as a sensitive, intuitive listener. Good at pretending to be non-anxious. Leaders use my example to persevere in the face of resistance.
Transition Ministry
Create a climate in which people are empowered to state themselves. Successfully redeveloped several demoralized parish staffs. Coordinate and spotlight the talent and leadership of others. Create structure that frees people for ministry rather than shilling for a system that sucks the life out of willing volunteers. Gifted with vision for institutional mission. People like working in ministry with me. Equally at home with people from all stations in life. Often spokesperson for the ignored and silenced.
Administrator
Leadership develops when people receive missions which have clear beginnings and endings. Recruit people for specific tasks with term limits. Competent with computer technology including web site design. Retired, non-stipendiary, and ecumenical clergy choose to make the congregations I serve their parish because their gifts are welcome.
Personal
Debby Perry and I married each other in November of 1986. She and I have four children— all launched with life plans. We have five grandsons and two granddaughters. We enjoy travel, entertaining, music, and life in the mix of any community we call home. I am a happy, energized person who looks forward to each day as it comes. Life has toughened, not hardened me. Have taken up woodworking with specialty in furniture with straight lines. Retirement is about new frontiers and keeping on the move.Feedback on ministry
Transition
We were not sure we needed or wanted an interim rector. We are sure glad you came. It is hard to imagine what our new rector would have walked into.
You may be "only an interim" but the next person will have a tough act to follow.
As Dean of the convocation I certainly appreciated your presence and support of our clericus during the interim. You created a wonderful model for all of us.
You taught us we could be church after our founding rector resigned; we were not sure we could. You also refused to do it for us. This was your greatest gift.
Liturgy
I wanted to send you a brief note to say that I found yesterday's service the most beautiful and meaningful Palm Sunday in my experience. I also heard very favorable comments from other parishioners. (2008)
Thank you for the Celtic chants and gospel music. It changed the way I see worship.
Preaching
Your children's homily last week is still being talked about. It is hard to believe that this is a typical Episcopal Church. It is so lively, and the preaching so personal.
I wish you were going to be here when my children are Confirmation age. They would really enjoy the class you teach. (Feb. 2008)
Pastoral Care
I have been meaning to write you and then I got a thank you note from you. Now it will take several pages for me to tell you how you made God alive for me.
You have taught us to speak the truth in love. It has been a great gift and we are stronger and holier for it.
As far as I can tell you have done exactly what we said we wanted done. Of course it is hard when you get what you want!
Stewardship
After your talk at the stewardship training session I could hardly wait to fill out my pledge card!
Hospitality
It was really wonderful for you and Debby to host the Easter Vigil party. Who thought to have Cornish game hen? How did you get 85 people into your house?
You said “Y’all” (da kine, finest kind) today. It sounded so natural.