Comments on: Chutney’s UU fixes http://www.makingchutney.com/2006/01/21/chutneys-uu-fixes/ One part facial hair. Two parts moxy. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:21:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Patrick Murfin http://www.makingchutney.com/2006/01/21/chutneys-uu-fixes/#comment-2979 Patrick Murfin Sun, 05 Feb 2006 08:56:03 +0000 http://www.makingchutney.com/2006/01/21/chutneys-uu-fixes/#comment-2979 Have you actually been to Boston headquarters? I was only there once for a brief consultation with my publisher at Skinner House Press. But the thing that immediately struck me was how small it was and how few people actually work there. Subtract strictly clerical and support personnel like secretaries, receptionists, bookkeepers, mail clerks, janitors etc., and you will find only a hand full of actual “bureaucrats and functionaries.” I defy anyone to find organizations with similar size, scope, variety of tasks and missions and organizational complexity (our treasured congregational polity is not simpler to manage than denominations in which folks in the pews are direct members) that putter on with a much leaner staff, or for that matter a more cramped, uncomfortable working space. I am not claiming that re-organization or re-prioritizing total use of staff and time would not be valuable, but across the board slash and burn is ludicrous. It’s just another manifestation of the knee jerk, braying finger pointing at THOSE PEOPLE IN BOSTON that has been integral to our movement since one part-time clerk kept up a list of ministers in fellowship. It’s a rich tradition—I’ve done it myself from time to time—and one which occasionally results in actual reform—but one which is most frequently heard from the I-didn’t-get-my-way-and-I’m-going-to-hold-my-breath-until-I-turn-blue contingent Have you actually been to Boston headquarters? I was only there once for a brief consultation with my publisher at Skinner House Press. But the thing that immediately struck me was how small it was and how few people actually work there. Subtract strictly clerical and support personnel like secretaries, receptionists, bookkeepers, mail clerks, janitors etc., and you will find only a hand full of actual “bureaucrats and functionaries.” I defy anyone to find organizations with similar size, scope, variety of tasks and missions and organizational complexity (our treasured congregational polity is not simpler to manage than denominations in which folks in the pews are direct members) that putter on with a much leaner staff, or for that matter a more cramped, uncomfortable working space.

I am not claiming that re-organization or re-prioritizing total use of staff and time would not be valuable, but across the board slash and burn is ludicrous. It’s just another manifestation of the knee jerk, braying finger pointing at THOSE PEOPLE IN BOSTON that has been integral to our movement since one part-time clerk kept up a list of ministers in fellowship. It’s a rich tradition—I’ve done it myself from time to time—and one which occasionally results in actual reform—but one which is most frequently heard from the I-didn’t-get-my-way-and-I’m-going-to-hold-my-breath-until-I-turn-blue contingent

]]> By: letimbo http://www.makingchutney.com/2006/01/21/chutneys-uu-fixes/#comment-2952 letimbo Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:28:02 +0000 http://www.makingchutney.com/2006/01/21/chutneys-uu-fixes/#comment-2952 I don't quite know enough about UUA to discuss the merits of those, but the whole no condeming thing defintley makes sense. My Idea? Something like Community Development Block Grants. I posted it on the site and the new blog I mentioned, http://kinsi.wordpress.com I don’t quite know enough about UUA to discuss the merits of those, but the whole no condeming thing defintley makes sense.

My Idea? Something like Community Development Block Grants. I posted it on the site and the new blog I mentioned, http://kinsi.wordpress.com

]]> By: The Emerson Avenger http://www.makingchutney.com/2006/01/21/chutneys-uu-fixes/#comment-2950 The Emerson Avenger Sat, 21 Jan 2006 20:55:20 +0000 http://www.makingchutney.com/2006/01/21/chutneys-uu-fixes/#comment-2950 <a HREF="http://www.mrctemiscouata.qc.ca/Louis.html" rel="nofollow">St. Louis du Ha! Ha!</a>? ;-) St. Louis du Ha! Ha!? ;-)

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