Our culture does not usually associate ministry and anger. Yet many clergy will confess to some strong currents of anger in their lives as they practice ministry. Some of that anger is generated by disappointments. We can be disappointed in our denomination, our congregation, our church governing board, a staff member, a volunteer, or our inability to generate the type of enthusiasm and growth that we would desire. At other times, our anger is generated by a failure of others to appreciate how hard we are trying or a disillusionment with faith to provide the answers to life’s questions.
Some clergy experience a continual feeling of anger that threatens to boil over at any time. Others will have seasons of anger which rise up but then settle down again. Some are caught unaware by an eruption of anger. I had a normally calm and genial colleague who one day after a particularly stressful meeting suddenly released a kick that shattered the glass door in front of him. Everyone, including him, were surprised at the anger that had burst forth from him.
Whether you are thinking about yourself, your relationships, your expectations of the church, or the state of the world, there are just too many failures, disappointments, betrayals, and suffering that cause us to experience anger. Yet society tells us that as a clergy, we shouldn’t express our anger. We need to be understanding, compassionate, and caring. Yet those very qualities are generated by our passions. If we repress our anger, it can easily be at the cost of our other passions as well. We become cold, distant, and disinterested.
Fortunately the psalms provide us with both permission and guidance on how to express our anger. Remember, next week is holy week. It was on the cross that Jesus cried out his lament in the words of Psalm 22. If Jesus can cry out his anger and hurt, then it is appropriate for us to also give expression to our deepest feelings.
