The "called newcomer," an educator brought into a congregation from the outside, has some advantages in learning about a faith community:

• No one expects you to immediately understand the congregation. You start at the beginning—by learning names, hearing people's stories, reading congregational histories, and learning about the congregation from key leaders. A healthy congregation will allow time for this and recognize that you are a newcomer.
  
• You know you need to learn and have no illusions about how well you understand the congregation.
  
• You probably have some previous ministry experience and are not surprised by the challenges of serving in a church. You are a bit more savvy—and no longer romanticize ministry.

Yet you, like the "informed insider," will be learning about the congregation:

• You need to learn all the mechanical issues—budget, scheduling, publicity, and leadership responsibilities.
  
• You will be learning local congregational culture and the relationship between you, your vision, your calling, and your particular community. For the "called newcomer," this process can be highly creative and full of personal and spiritual insights about God and ministry.
  
• Frustrations may arise if miscommunication occurs, if an unhealthy individual or system purposefully provides false information, or if either you or the community discern that the two parties do not "mesh" in ministry.