On and Off Pastors Between Little and Big

Here we are just a week away from Big Lent and it seems like we only just finished with little lent ( advent). Was there a sigh of relief as you enjoyed that week between Christmas and New Year's ? Finally, a chance to let down.


How often do you get to let down? Does the twenty four seven of being 'on' just wear the love lights out of you? Hmmmmmm...


Thirty some years ago, I read a piece of research stating most ministers/pastors are in their positions because it affords them the social distance they need between people to be comfortable in their skin. Seems most people in the ministry had been peacemakers as children feeling more affinity with adults than their peers. Hmmmmmmmmm...


That discovery, that research, sent me on a three decade journey to discover what it means to be shepherding rather than leading out of a genuine faith in Jesus Christ rather than a love of church culture.


I've watched the times change. Women have come into the full time paid ministry big time. Megachurchs have populated the lives of ordinary people with lingo and scripture quotes and catchy praise tunes and small groups. But the challenge remains as it has for thousands of years, to surrender one's heart to God in three persons on a daily basis, before we check our dayrunners.


Can it be? Can the run of the mill pastor trained in seminary feeling an urge to serve the church or missions operate out of the heart and still be a 'good' pastor in all ways administrative and didactic. Hmmmmmm.


Between this time of little and big, think of on and off. Staying engaged with God at all times is different than engaging with the people we serve in the buildings in which we live. Lo these many years later, denominational loyalty and particular church culture rides longer and stronger than those moments of complete and utter surrender.


Maybe there's another way. Hmmmmmm.

Love
Deborah