ADMIT IT, WE ARE A MIXTURE OF STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
WE KNOW IT’S TRUE
We know that we are not perfect. We accept that we all have sinned and fallen short. When we make mistakes, one of our main defenses is “Nobody is perfect.” Usually, however, we prefer to keep that truth at an intellectual level and not examine it too closely. I have been encouraging you to explore the use of fiction as a way to examine your life more closely. By using fiction, we keep the truth at a little more distance even while we know that it can reveal our own personal story. It is not important that you be an experienced fiction writer to benefit from these exercises. At this point, you are not seeking to be a published author but just seeking to move from sight to insight.
PASTORS ARE DIFFERENT
Begin by imagining two different pastors. Picture the first pastor as someone who seems to thrive in the ministry but in whom you can spot some less than admirable qualities. Don’t overthink this, but note five qualities or talents in that person that you would consider superficial or even false but when used artfully can bring success in the ministry. Make your list of at least five of these qualities and set them aside.
Now make a second list of at least five or more qualities that a clergy can display, which though faithful, can result in opposition, sacrifice, or apparent failure in the ministry. Again just write them down without elaboration.
CONSIDER BOB OR JANE
Pick a gender for your composite pastor and give that person a name. Now write a brief biography of that pastor that combines some of the qualities from both of your lists. Add some personality features, physical conditions, temperament, etc. Reflect on that biography and note how many of those qualities, however well hidden, exist to some degree in your own person.
EXPLORE THE STORY
Here is the context of the story you are about to write. Fantasize for a moment what the perfect call would be for your pastor figure. Assume the ideal nominating committee came knocking at his or her door and asked to interview that person. The very thought of being called to this particular ministry fills your character with energy and any doubts about the ministry fade away. This is the dream call.
Write the story of the interview. Have them ask your person about ten to fifteen questions, some of them really difficult questions, and keep in mind both the strengths and weaknesses that you have identified in the biography as you compose the pastor’s response.
What you are doing is exploring how strong desire brings out the best and worst in us. Because it is fiction, you can explore positive and negative possibilities in the conversation. Maybe some of the questions might be inappropriate. How would your pastor respond? Maybe an honest answer to a question might not be what the committee wants to hear. So how does the pastor shape his or her answer?
You might even want to write the story in a couple of ways and explore the implications of better or worse results. Are there ways in which the pastor would not receive the call but feel good about it? Might that person snow the committee but feel guilty?
