User’s Guide to the Minister

by Rev. Darrell Berger, Oct.2007

Edmund Robinson is the new minister of the UU congregation in Staten Island. He recently wrote an article with the above title for his newsletter. It seems like such a good idea I have used it myself, with personal changes as needed. Thanks to the Rev. Robinson for his useful idea.

1. Talk to me. I want to get to know you. You can talk to me whether or you have anything specific to talk about or not. I’m sure we will find something. We can talk at coffee hour, at the church office or at your place or at the local Starbucks, whatever. Days, evenings, whenever. I’m trying to confine my church working hours to Tuesday-Thursday, but I’m not chained to this.
2. Call me when you need me, or to arrange a time just to talk. The church phone is 973/674-0010. My email is . I check both often.
3. Don’t assume I know anything. I’d rather have five people tell me someone is in the hospital or got downsized than have no one tell me.
4. Don’t assume I know how things work around here, whether the bathrooms, coffee makers or committees. Help me to learn. If something needs to work better, we can work on it together.
5. If I have been neglectful, or unmindful or unskillful, let me know. I do respond better to these messages when they are delivered with loving kindness, which is how I endeavor to deliver messages to others.
6. I take confidences and boundaries very seriously, and have a fair amount of experience with them. How much you want to share depends on your comfort level with me.