The ClergyNet group list serve was established by the Virginia Conference Board of Communications in January 2001 to help clergy across the Virginia Conference communicate with one another. There are approximately 1,300  members of this group.  

We have received questions about membership in ClergyNet. Laity are currently allowed to join ClergyNet (just as clergy are allowed to join LaityNet). If laity were not allowed to join, that would eliminate many postings from our conference staff and district secretaries who are lay people. Also, many clergy appreciate having their secretaries, administrative staff, etc., being allowed to view and post to Clergy Net. When an e-mail address is sent to ClergyNet asking for membership in the group, it is not a policy to ask if they are clergy or laity.   It has been suggested that it would be helpful if persons posting e-mails identify themselves as clergy or lay, IN ADDITION TO identifying themselves by name and church.  

In order to provide useful service to the greatest number of people, it will be helpful if we each try to keep in mind a few simple principles that were established by the Virginia Conference Board of Communications in 2001:  

1. This is NOT a discussion group. The ClergyNet list serve allows Virginia Conference clergy to share information, news, or questions of general interest to their colleagues in ministry.  
2. PERSONAL information should be limited to unique circumstances, such as births, deaths, or career changes. 
3. Messages should be SHORT. Try to keep the length of your announcements or questions to a minimum, perhaps no more than a single paragraph.  
4. REPLIES to questions should be directed to the individual posting the question, unless the answer might be of general interest to other clergy.  
5. The conference communications office will MONITOR all messages, not to censor but to guide information toward the most appropriate channels. The communications office reserves the right to delete messages that are deemed inappropriate, or considered a personal attack. Some information might be communicated more effectively in other ways.  

I hope these guidelines are helpful. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can answer any questions or concerns you might have about the ClergyNet list serve.  

In Christ’s Service,
Brenda Capen
Moderator, ClergyNet
Virginia United Methodist Communications