What's In A Word?
In talking to a member of my previous church about my change in jobs, I said that I'm no longer a "pastor" although all Christians are "ministers." They agreed about the second part of the statement but said that I would always be a "pastor." They said I will always bring my "pastoral skills" to whatever I do. I tried to talk about the fact that "pastoral skills" can have many names- compassion, counseling, a good listener, a wise ear, etc. They insisted that it must be "pastoral."
In the wise, old days perhaps the word "pastor" had a different sense than I am giving it. Shepherd of a flock was one of those senses. While I understand where that came from, I am not sure that it is an idea that still makes sense. It has a very perjorative side to it that may not have been there before, but is when you think about it. The "pastor" is the one who knows the way. All others are less knowledgeable and like sheep who will follow anyone who feeds them. There is no interaction. No mentoring. No teaching. That is NOT what I am about- nor have I ever been. So I don't know what makes "pastoral" skills unique to an ordained Christian professional, but I am not sure it is what I bring to my new tasks and calling.
From the Other Side of the Pulpit
A friend and clergy colleague said something interesting though in an email this past week. They said they were interested in seeing what insights I had about life on the other side of the pulpit that those still on the "preacher's" side needed to hear. Now THAT is an intriguing comment. It follows on what I said to someone else about my personal task in the new job. I said that for years I have been saying to the people in the pews (or wherever they would listen to me) that we all have to live our faith 24/7 - in the world outside the Sunday morning worship hour. Now I am going to have to figure out how to do that.
Brrrrr!
Between 4:00 and 5:00 this afternoon, the local temp dropped below 0 F (-18 C). It is not expected to go back above that until sometime Saturday. There went the January thaw! Tell me one more time why I live in Minnesota in the winter time.
22 Down- 2,161 Needed
Kerry wins. Dean second. Edwards and Clark battling for third. Lieberman bringing up the end of the Top Five.
So run the projections at 9:00 est. No surprises again this week. Unless it is that everyone will claim some kind of victory. Will Lieberman stay in the race? Is this Clark's big move? Does Kerry have unbeatable momentum? Is Dean gaining? So many questions. So few answers. But if we had all the answers already, what would happen to all the news reporters and the ratings? (Me? Cynical? Since when?)
Now it's on to
~~ South Carolina ~~ Missouri ~~ Delaware ~~
~~ Oklahoma ~~ Arizona ~~ New Mexico ~~ North Dakota
next week.
Excellent Questions
Thanks to Gary at Country Keepers for finding a song by Casting Crowns. Here's the chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
