Now we turn to the second story in Volume 3 of Clergy Tales—Tails: When God Wags the Tale. A Hypocritical Oath for Pastors amzn.to/15TORlR
A MINISTRY OF PRESENCE
While visiting the seminary campus, Mark’s quiet day is interrupted by a bullet that shatters the window as he leaves the campus book store. He spots the shooter in the bell tower. On impulse, Mark runs to the tower and climbs to the roof where he encounters Ethan, a pastor who Mark had taught in seminary.
“Ethan swung his rifle around to face Mark. ‘What are you doing here, professor?’
“‘I thought I was coming to the campus for a break from church work, but your rather dramatic statement caught my attention, so I thought I’d come up and see what you were trying to say.’ He remembered from watching TV that you were supposed to establish a relationship with the shooter. ‘By the way, you can call me Mark.’ He edged towards Ethan as he spoke. He didn’t know what he was going to do, but that was the way he remembered it from the movies.”
How frequently are pastors caught in situations where, while inadequately prepared, they have no choice but to respond?
Mark’s decision reflects what is often called the “ministry of presence.” What is your understanding of what that means in the exercise of your ministry?
THE SINS OF THE CHURCH
Ethan is a clergyman who has lost his faith.
“‘How long have you been a minister, Mark, twenty years?’
“‘Close to twenty-five now,’ Mark said.
“‘How’d you do it?’ Mark could hear the stress in his voice. ‘Didn’t you ever realize that resurrection is biologically impossible, forgiveness is for wimps who can’t win, and all the church is interested in is sucking the money out of gullible members to protect a failing institution?’
“Ethan continues his indictment of the church. ‘We work for a church that’s collapsing from within because it is so self-serving and full of hypocrisy that no one under thirty will darken its doors…Even the older generation is beginning to abandon it because their beach house offers more comfort on the weekend. They would rather spend their money on pleasure than on sharing with those in need as the Gospel commands.'”
Many pastors have from time to time entertained such doubts themselves. Mark recognizes that in himself. “The irony is, I share some of his anger only I’ve learned to survive. Maybe I’m the crazy one.”
What are the factors that allow some clergy to continue despite the doubts and the church failures they see while others conclude that they need to leave the ministry?
We continue the discussion of the second story in Volume 3 of Clergy Tales—Tails: When God Wags the Tale. A Hypocritical Oath for Pastors amzn.to/15TORlR in the next blog.
