The 2008 District Council is now history.
Looking back at my April the 24th posting, a pre-council promotion, I couldn't have been more wrong - personally speaking. We walked into this year's council meeting with a very prosperous financial picture, AG ministerial expectations were being held to a high standard, a new and successful church plant was going well, our state wide - educational -Leadership Development picture is coming together, and we had pumped thousands of dollars into ministry throughout the state. I was pleased about our current position. But, to my surprise, the health of the district didn't seem to be of any interest. I didn't press what I felt were accomplishments for the year. After all, everyone did have them in writing. So I moved on.
What happened next did come as a surprise. In a flurry of balloting, a new Superintendent was selected. A strong, well orchestrated opposition voting block emerged immediately. Not one of my friends, ministerial colleagues, had mentioned that this was coming and that I might consider stepping aside, or at least let me know someone else wanted the position. Rather, they chose to catch me on the council floor. Following the election, the next morning, I addressed the group stating that being a dismissed CEO was like having an elephant in the room, uncomfortable. People looked at you like you had cancer, or had just been fired. I didn't want my family, or myself, to have to endure that for a prolonged period. I dismissed myself from the proceedings and we drove home. For the first time in my life I watched McGyver's second season DVD during a district council.
I have decided to speak up, in limited and appropriate places, because if I don't, it is tantamount to agreeing with what appears to be a voting statement that I did a poor job, and was fired as a result. If I remain silent, it would only reinforce that I hadn't done business for the district. Positions were garnered for and opportunities were capitalized on. I feel it was far from a simple nomination and balloting process. From those that oppose me - I expected it. Friends and colleagues - I didn't. In the past, when I served on a public school board, I expected that style of politics - in the church!? From friends!?
As a result, this blog is no longer attached to the District's Web site. Like me it is now free to find its own way.
