For some reason I adore this true story. A small boy of 5 or 6 is staring at a plaque in the church’s fellowship hall. The pastor of that church quietly draws near, and the boy, pointing to the plaque, asks him, “What is this…What does it mean?” The pastor explains, “These are men who died in the service.” After a brief moment of silence, the little boy asks, with all due respect and seriousness, “Which services - the 9 or the 11?”
I’m happy to report that during my watch in three churches where I have been the minister, no one has died in a worship service. But to anyone who has been affected by a severe case of terminal boredom or the strong desire to stretch out on the pew and take a nap, I want you to know how I have longed for “the good ole days” of early Congregationalism when those not paying strict attention to the preacher were tapped on the shoulder by an usher with stern authority and a long wooden stick or pole in his hand. Or anyone not offering proper respect to the clergy would find himself in the stocks out on the front lawn of the church/meetinghouse. No one would dare make fun of a minister who is technologically challenged! (I’m not mentioning any names here.)
Quoting Eugene Peterson: “I’ve loved being a pastor, almost every minute of it. It’s a difficult life because it’s a demanding life. But the rewards are enormous - the rewards of being on the front line of seeing the gospel worked out in people’s lives. I remain convinced that if you are called to it, being a pastor is the best life there is.”
For the most part, through 40 years of ministry, this has been my experience. So this morning, I’m going to give you my list of ten reasons why I have loved being a pastor. Now mind you, beneath these blessings, there have been challenges, things I have not enjoyed about pastoral ministry. But I’m emphasizing the positives here, and they far outweigh the negatives. So here they are, starting with #10 and moving up the list toward (hopefully) the more profound and significant.
#10 - I have been able to walk to work, no commuting traffic to deal with in the mornings and evenings. The biggest danger has been crossing Rt. 62, but this sprint across has been good exercise on my morning walk to the office, then home for lunch. In Durham, NH and Mountain Lakes NJ, we lived next door to the Church (and that had its own challenges); in Danvers, we first lived on —— St., a half-mile from here, then we moved to —— Rd., a mile away, and now on ——- Dr., a mile-and-a-half from the Church. You probably haven’t noticed, but over the years I’ve been moving farther and farther from the Church, but still able to walk and meditate and greet people along the way.
#9 - I’ve been able to buy good books and magazines for theological reflection, sermon ideas and adult education classes. I understand that I am called to be pastor and teacher, and the teaching role has been one I have particularly enjoyed. Continuing education opportunities, especially at Kirkridge, my favorite retreat and study center, have been invaluable, in addition to sabbatical leaves which should be written into the next pastor’s contract. To interpret God’s word in this world (as Karl Barth famously stated) you must hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. I needed to keep learning and studying and growing - it has been a life-long process.
#8 - No two days are ever the same. Ministry is not a 9-5 job. Some days, weeks and seasons of the church year are demanding and exhausting. The minister doesn’t get weekends and holidays off. There have been times when I’ve had a wedding and a funeral on the same day, or two or three funerals in the same week…and always, always, every week, the deadlines of sermons and worship preparation. A blank sheet of paper is an awful sight to behold! However, there are blessings in the daily, weekly scheduling, a flexibility which allows open spaces and even days when there are no meetings or services to lead. But then one telephone call can turn a day or week upside down. There’s been a richness in the diversity of these daily rounds.
#7 - Related to the previous one, ministry requires a variety of gifts and talents. The pastor is, depending on the moment and the task at hand - teacher, worship leader, counselor, administrator, social gadfly, poet, artist, organizer, and even at times the plumber, stopping a leaking toilet, etc., etc., etc. In other words, in pastoral ministry both sides of the brain are needed - aesthetic, analytical, economic, interpersonal, emotional, empathetic, visionary - all kind of thinking, different gifts and talents, heart and soul, one’s entire being.
#6 - (Remember, this is a count-down to #1 on this minister’s hit parade) - I have been allowed to go where others cannot easily go. My ID will get me into hospital rooms, intensive care units and Hospice House, into nursing homes and private homes where a loved one is ill or has just died. Equally, there are happier moments of sitting with a couple as they plan their wedding service, or meeting a newborn, or attending a birthday party, anniversary celebration, community event, or Citizen of the Year dinner. The minister is invited into a sacred trust and confidence…that somehow God will be present through him or her, to speak and affirm and embrace.
#5 - I have watched others grow - in faith, in understanding (again, that duality of heart and mind). New truths, new insights, new epiphanies (those “ah-ha” moments”) do occur, and that’s a wondrous, happy experience. A growth in confidence and courage, the preparation and willingness to begin new chapters in the life/faith journey. It’s always a joy to hear someone affirm - “The Lord is my shepherd…My cup overflows with blessings…Thanks be to God.” And seeing the changes of physical growth as well - watching children I have baptized become young adults, graduating from high school and deciding on a career and where to go to college. Teenagers who were in my confirmation classes years ago, now getting married, and in time, having their own children - God’s ongoing creation at work.
#4 - What I call - entering sacred spaces; in Celtic spirituality “the thin places,” the thin veil separating heaven and earth, the interweaving of the divine and our humanity. I believe that god’s divinity is a human life filled with compassion and love and a yearning for justice and peace. “These three abide - faith, hope and love - and the greatest of these is love.” Leading worship, celebrating the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism, officiating at weddings and funerals and memorial services - these are the thin places where the congregation and I allow ourselves to be open to God’s grace, God’s indwelling, the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit, the “still, small voice,” or the rush of a mighty, empowering wind. In Hebrew, “ru’ach” means wind…breath…spirit - all three interwoven; God still speaking.
#3 - Related to the previous one, I have come to rely more on the Holy Spirit and less on my own frail humanity. I do not speak or understand in any full of complete sense. Only God has a fresh word - only God can provide. Pastoral ministry is a deeply spiritual vocation - it can be no other way. How do I know this? During 40 years… some might say, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness…during all these years, always I was wondering - what more can I say in a sermon? How can I bring a fresh word to the people? Well, I can’t! Only God has a fresh word; only God can provide. Pastoral ministry/pastoral leadership is a life of spiritual growth and wonder and amazing surprises!
#2 - I have not walked the walk alone. In three churches, I have been truly blessed with outstanding, talented colleagues. They have made it possible for me to do what I have been called to do; they have made the journey possible for me every step of the way. Trusted and valued clergy colleagues who have encouraged and inspired me; Christian education directors and youth leaders; organists and choir directors for adults and young persons (all who have made our hearts and spirits soar with the majesty of music); secretaries, administrative assistants and sextons - each one an integral part of a team ministry. And I cannot forget the ecumenical partnership of fellow clergy whom I have known and admired in the towns of Durham, Mountain Lakes and Danvers. I have been richly blessed and am so very grateful for 40 years of wonderful friends and colleagues.
#1 - And the # 1 reason I have loved being a pastor - Well, it is you. All the people in three churches I have known and loved. We have worshiped together, laughed and cried together, learned from and with each other, challenged and exasperated one another…each of us a heady mix of saint and sinner. I thank you - all of you, past and present - thank you for walking this faith journey with me. Ann Svennungsen has written: “It’s within the community that disciples are made. It’s within the church that lives are transformed, broken people made whole. And, it’s within the congregation that individuals find the courage to act as servants for the common good, as advocates for the oppressed and forgotten. Yes, congregations matter. Which means that pastors matter. For in the midst of this egalitarian community called a congregation, there are some who are called to be servant leaders - called to tend to the table and the word - to tend to the community’s mission in the gospel.”
This is my top-ten list. I believe Eugene Peterson is right: “It’s difficult and demanding, but if you are called to it, I believe pastoral ministry is the best life there is.” Again, my thanks to you and many, many others who have walked this faith journey with me.
Scripture: Ephesians 4: 1-7, 11-13
Charles N. Gross
August 24, 2008
(With appreciation to Ann Svennungsen and her article, “Reflections on the Ministry on my 50th Birthday.”)
