As I shared in my last sermon, knowing the Methodist practice of itinerancy was one of my largest struggles with ministry. After getting over the initial shock of the call and putting aside my feelings of inadequacy for the task of shepherding God’s people, I wrestled for a long time with itinerancy. Could I handle moving that much when I’ve never moved before? (College doesn’t count. I still keep a lot of stuff at home.) Could I trust the system with my ministry?
One pastor’s outlook on the system helped me a great deal early on. In today’s economic system, job opportunities can move people across countries, even continents. Methodist pastors never leave home. You just have to expand your definition of home. Hearing from families looking back on the experience has also been enlightening. Most, if not all, admit that moving is hard in the moment. Not everyone was ready to move each time. But many expressed their appreciation for what the system brought them as well. For example, loving friends and extended “family” in several places around the conference.
I still wrestle with itinerancy, albeit differently. It’s my elephant when considering conferences, relationships, and ministry. Would I be comfortable moving around a particular conference or do I feel tied to one specific area? What does this mean for my goals of a spouse and family? How much of a role does the system play in who I date? How on board with itinerancy do they need to be beforehand? What does my ministry look like in this setting? While not entirely up to me, what kinds of appointments might I look for? Do I want to start as an associate, learn the ropes under the tutelage of another? Is preaching so central to my call that I would rather start in a small rural church?
In one sense, I’ve quit worrying about itinerancy. I know I can’t get rid of it and I’m not entirely sure I would want to even if I could. So I’ve accepted it. But the questions remain. Like Jacob, I’ve wrestled with God over this. Now I can only hope and pray that like Israel, God will bless me for it. Hopefully without getting thrown out of joint.
