The United Methodist Church...

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the United Methodist Church. God has placed a call on my life to serve the United Methodist Church (at least at this point in time). However, as I write this, I'm extremely agitated with the UMC. Why? Because I'm currently jumping through the preliminary hoops for ordination as a local pastor. It's ridiculous! It seems like for every form and every committee I have to write out the same thing over and over and over. I wish they could streamline the process and only have you fill out one form that everyone can use (all of the forms are pretty much the same). Then, there are the committee's themselves. They aren't exactly the most helpful. For example, there is one committee that I need approval from in order to attend a local pastor school in June. Well, it took 3 weeks and a couple of complaints to the District Superintendent to even get the head of the committee to respond to any of my phone calls, e-mails, or letters. And, now, I'm waiting to receive a form from the DS that was sent our early last week. I just don't understand what takes so long. Oh, and I have to answer all of these ministry questions for one particular committee. Boy, they don't even know what they're in for...So far, every answer has taken up at least 2 pages in 12pt Times font. The thing is, the committee will probably just thumb through every thing, not really read it, and then ask me to answer the same questions that I wrote out when I interview. Depending on my mood, I might just say, "Well, if you'll refer to page three, paragraph 4 of my answers to the ministry questions, you will see where I stand on that issue. Now, if you'd like to ask me any questions that are not included in the written questions I have already answered, I would welcome them." Boy, if that's my attitude, I probably won't get through this stuff. No, I will. It's just a bigger pain. It seems like the people that should be working with me to help me get through this are sort of slowing me down. Pastor Rusty and I are ready and waiting for our next step in this process. Oh yeah, Rusty is my mentor through the whole process. Pretty exciting! Anyway, I guess I'm just writing this because I'm tired of writing out my responses to the ministry questions.