The Apology...

Sometimes apologies seem hollow and in fact dangerous.
You have to take into consideration that actions speak louder than words.

Getting Over a few Hurdles...

Jumping from the 'pew' into an important and valued role in leadership (vestry)
only requires getting over a few hurdles.

              Hurdle 1. Submit to leaderships' authority without question.          

Hurdle 2. Believe all that is said or implied by leadership.    

        Hurdle 3. No talking about anyone or to anyone...it's all gossip,  
                                  except if you're in leadership and have to discuss everyone.

Hurdle 4. Surrender any rights to ask questions,                    
                                    they will all be seen as provocative and challenging behaviour.

Hurdle (puddle) 5. Look happy,                                              
                              and wherever possible use flowery religious sounding words.
      You'll be sure to get on.                                







                             
                           

Putting Your Head In The Sand...

The problem is when you haven't been part of the flock for ages,
you forget how to play the game.


Sometimes you don't see the negatives in the culture
until you've been away for a while...

Questioning Being Part Of The Flock....

Putting the Ewe back in HTU*




Sometimes dear reader, there is too much control,
 and not enough grace and freedom.
After all we like the stories about the sheep following their master
 because they choose to,not because they are forced to.



(*Holy Trinity Wherever U Are)

The Only Way Is Up...Or Is It?.....

The proof dear reader, is in the pudding...
sometimes it's not what's said as much as what's done, that's important.

THEN IT DAWNED ON ME...IT'S ALL ABOUT CONTROL

When you first see it, you can't believe it.

You may have certain doubts and questions, and usually you think something like..."it must be me, or, I must have misunderstood, or maybe I'm too judgemental."

Then as time goes by, and things continue...you see the same tricks over and over.

Subtle undermining comments and actions, veiled threats, often accompanied by some sort of false flattery,borderline bullying...a certain drawing of the lines of division "your obviously not going to cooperate with everyone else, etc."

Perhaps lectures or talks or reminders of how you should be conducting yourself...being more forgiving, not gossiping, more submissive or more of a team player (team player, meaning doing what your told, not asking questions)

You may withdraw, you may observe, you may draw conclusions.....however you'll be waiting forever to see things spontaneously self correct, or change.