21st Century Pastor
Friday, 9 April 2010
| A(nonymous) Minister
The really fruitful things, yet again, were the surprising things. Like huge random offerings for an overseas mission project, (while the regular tithes remain stagnant).
In any case, despite it all, I began to reflect that, somewhat self-servingly I guess, what we do, as Pastors and Ministers, is actually quite important.
I know the Social Justice guys got all the publicity again last year (and yes that’s vital kingdom stuff), but frankly I've got to say, if you actually led someone to Christ in the last 12 months, then you did the hard yards. And if you were there, all hours of the night, as someone’s life exploded, you’re a rare breed.
Nice work.
As exhausted, striving, insecure mortals, we Pastors need reminding that while ministry is hard and long work, its critically important stuff. There are thousands of ex-pastors in Australia. And if you're still in the game, then you're vital. Stay with us.
It's never going to pay well, but it's a calling - not a job, or a career - a Vocation. God's asked you to do it. He’s thrilled you're participating in His ministry.
But your city isn’t. Our society is never again going to congratulate us on spending our life infusing the gospel amongst it. You are not going to be a hero. You are not Bono.
Our culture will relentlessly try to convince you that anything else is worth doing but this. But our society actually needs people who subvert it, undermine it, who cannot be bought, and will not sell out.
People who live for something more important than money, and who are defined by something different to that most seductive and paralyzing of motives: status.
And yet, we Pastors are often sick to the stomach with status anxiety.
From fashion to congregation size to name-dropping, there exists a desperate desire to be known, to be seen, or to be celebrated. To have carved out a position of unique status, squeaking, “I and my church is doing something bigger, or special or unique!“
A proverbial schoolyard of insecurity. It’s pathetic.
CS Lewis said we are all created to want fame. To be seen, and to receive a pat on the head denoting a special job well done.
The problem is we look for it from the wrong people, such as other pastors, the culture around us, our congregation, when our purpose is to find it in the words of God himself, "Well done good and faithful servant’
I'm frankly reminded of what St Paul told the Corinthians about ministry, "This is how you should regard us, as underlings of Christ, the scum of the earth, fathers of the church and stewards of revelation'.
Scum of the earth and stewards of revelation - that’s ministry, that’s status. Gosh, what a calling.
I once saw a quote on the wall of Rev John Smith's office years ago, by songwriter Bruce Cockburn, which read:
'Kick at the darkness 'till it bleeds daylight'.
Now that’s a mission statement.
It sits rather well alongside St John’s description of the incarnation of Jesus "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it”.
He is the light, and we, my colleagues, believe it or not, must hold a torch.
There are too few of us ready to do it at present, but it’s a true calling, a glorious life, a worthy cause. Thank you for being a Pastor. Don’t give it up for a normal life.
That bloody harvest is always going to be there, but I for one am all for tearing into it.
Ministry. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Jedi Knights wish they were Pastors. It's a whole other level of being misunderstood.
Sincerely,
A(nonymous) Minister