I am teaching a class of about 35 Presbyterian pastors at a pastors school. These are pastors from a Mayan heritage and they mainly speak Tsatal with Spanish being their second language. They have come for a two week break from their work and many have brought their families along. As I listen to them talk about their work, I am humbled by their dedication.
Almost all of them have to have a second job just to make ends meet. Even then they are not just a pastor of a single church. Each church will also be responsible for several congregations that in turn have their mission stations. Therefore a pastor can have general responsibility for 10 -15 locations. In some cases they have certified lay pastors who can help them but many do not. In addition to the lay pastors, the elders have a major responsibility. The pastor trains these elders and then each Sunday they spread out among the many groups and conduct worship and visit members. The pastor can make one or two goups each Sunday and then moves to another group for the next Sunday. When I speak to them about pastoral self-care, it takes on a different meaning here.
I am having the pleasure of teaching them about the Old Testament while a colleague of mine is teaching them about the New Testament, and a third colleague will join us next week to teach about hospital visitation.
One of the things that it has made me think alot about is how the Gospel sounds to a person whose life is surrounded by poverty and constant reminders of the fragility of life. In many cases they are much closer to the type of culture in which the Bible was written than I am. What does the Gospel sound like when heard through the eyes of a person constantly facing the spectre of poverty and in many cases violence.
Perhaps that may make a topic for another time.
