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Sometimes presence is the ministry

During my first three months with you, I have had the opportunity to be present with several of our congregations, sometimes to preach and sometimes to share significant moments in the life of a church. I have met with search committees and church leaders, both in person and online.

Lorraine Ceniceros, acting conference minister

Each encounter has helped me learn a little more about the Pacific Northwest Conference and the people who call it home.

As I have traveled throughout the conference, I continue to be struck by the welcome I receive. Part of that, I believe, is simply who these people are.

Perhaps there is such a thing as “Northwest nice,” but what I have experienced feels authentic. People have been generous with their time, their tables and their stories. They have made room for me.

I have also noticed the warmth extended to visitors and members alike. I am learning that this kind of welcome is not unusual among our churches. This is church.

I believe the culture of a church is also found in how we treat one another when things are not going well, particularly among those who lead together.

In my short time, leaders from several churches have reached out for support in managing tension among leadership and staff. I find myself encouraged by those requests.

Conflict and tension are part of being in community. We are not always going to agree, and we will not always get it right. What matters is what we do next.

Reaching out and saying, “We could use some help,” tells me that our leaders care about the health of their churches and their relationships with one another.

A healthy church is not one where everyone always gets along. It is one where people can disagree and still remain in relationship. It is also a place where we are willing to look at ourselves as carefully as we look at the person sitting across from us.

I am also discovering something I did not expect. People still honor the office of the conference minister.

This conference has not had a settled conference minister for more than five years. I might have expected that, over time, the office would become less important in the life of our churches. Instead, I have experienced something quite different.

There is an expectation that the conference minister will be present for important moments in the lives of our congregations, and there is genuine appreciation when I am able to be there.

It is more than that. Leaders are also inviting me into places where things are difficult. They are trusting that the conference minister might have something useful to offer when they are trying to find their way through conflict.

I find that both surprising and heartening. It tells me that even through years of transition, the relationship between our churches and the conference has endured.

There may be places where that relationship needs tending, and perhaps even rebuilding, but the foundation is still there.

As I continue to travel, listen and learn, I am increasingly aware that part of my work during this interim season is simply:

To show up.

To be present at the table.

To celebrate new beginnings and honor endings.

To sit with people when things are difficult.

To listen to the stories of our churches and let them know that their conference is present with them.

Sometimes presence is the ministry.

We do not always need to have the answer. Sometimes we need to show up, listen to one another and be willing to stay at the table long enough to find our way forward together.

It continues to be a privilege to witness this ministry and to share in it with you.

 

Pacific Northwest United Church of Christ Conference News © October 2026

 

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