Beginning on Monday, February 11 at 8 a.m. and each Monday after that through April 8, I want to share portions of a story, The Hypocritial Oath of Pastors. I write and share the story as my gift to all pastors and other lovers of the journey. I hope that it will be an interesting, diverting break as we move through the busy and demanding pace of Lent and Easter. Remember that both eustress (good experiences) and distress (the other kind) draw upon our emotional reserves.
Small sabbatical breaks, even for five minutes, can help replenish your reserves. My hope is that this short story of a pastor unexpectedly finding himself on the roof of a campus bell tower with a suicidal sniper will be a brief diversion each Monday morning. Aspects of it may cause you to reflect on your own ministry. If you enjoy the story, I hope that you will share it with others as well. If you are on twitter, maybe you can RT it to your followers. If on facebook you can pass the word to other followers.
In our skeptical age, you may wonder why I am doing this. I can be quite honest about that. First, I’ve spent over 40 years in the ministry and know the stress of ministry in the best of times. If I can offer some support to others who continue this work, then I find satisfaction in that. Second, I have been blogging on the care of clergy for over six years. If some of you who read the story on my blog are encouraged to explore other entries on how clergy, congregations, and judicatories can do a better job of caring for our clergy, then that is a double satisfaction for me. All of that is for free and without obligation. If the other resources such as my books and CDs interest you, that does cost a little but hopefully can assist you in your ministry.
This is a new venture and I would like to hear your response. If a lot of people like #Mondayfiction, then maybe we can continue it with a Pentecost story. If it really goes well, maybe others who have short stories about pastors and their ministry might be shared in the future.
Whatever happens, may your lenten journey and your Easter celebration be a blessing. What you are doing in this crazy world is really important.
