The Vote...almost

Well things didn't go as planned last night. No, no they didn't vote against him...they didn't vote. Why you ask? Well there are eleven Vestry members right now (there is an open position). Six of the eleven members were ready to vote 'yes'. The other 5 did not want to vote 'no' but were not prepared to vote 'yes'. So the compromise was to postpone the vote until next month (April 17th). Also Dan is ordered to call all 11 people to schedule a time to talk to them.

The main problem with this is not the postponement. But the disrespect. Last month at the Vestry meeting they were given the discernment committee's report and told they would be voting next month. They requested Dan's spiritual autobiography (a very personal thing) and his resume to review as well. Dan complied with in a couple days of the meeting. They were asked that if they had any questions or concerns they talk to Dan during the intervening month. The Senior Warden of the Vestry emailed twice last week to remind them to contact Dan with questions and that they would be voting. Not a singled person (on the Vestry) contacted Dan. Not even passing in the hall, did anyone mention it to Dan. However last night they obviously were not all ready to vote. They decided to now instruct Dan to contact them. They can't even bother to contact him themselves. Its very aggravating.

Now I know that some of you have made comments about the Rector not having control of the Vestry. This is somewhat true, but not entirely his fault. He did not want this Vestry to exist. He tried very hard to stop it. But if a candidates for Vestry is presented by themselves or someone else it is very hard to deny them from running. We have not had a vote for the Vestry in at least 4 years! They ask and ask and ask and beg people to volunteer. When you only barely get enough candidates to fill the seats there is no vote. Our empty slot exists because some one "elected" in Jan. already left. Due to these problems there is only so much control Bob can assert with his hands tied by the congregation. Secondly I would rather have Bob let things get postponed for a month then force all the 'uncertain's to become 'No's, thus ending the process. It doesn't mess up the time table for the next stages at all. I would rather the postponement and for them to approve Dan in the end. Plus, as Bob says the one on one meetings were Dan has to sell himself is where he excels. So its a pain. Its aggravating and disrespectful, but there is nothing for us to do about it.

We know that our deacon (who has been on Commission of Ministry many times) said "Dan is one of the most qualified candidates that she has ever met." Other people also spoke up in his defense, but in the end they decided to postpone the vote. So we wait. As I said it doesn't mess up anything so we'll deal with it and move on. Its the only choice. We could stop the process (not going to happen) or deal with it. There isn't anything else to do. Complaining and sayings its 'It's NOT FAIR' will get us no where. And would look immature, bringing up more questions of his suitability.

Dan is calling all 11 members today and we'll see. He is tired of people feeling the right to pick apart his life like it's something objective to be discussed instead of his personal life. But there is nothing to do about that either. So pray for us as we learn the bounds of patience and understanding.