Good Time Had by All
The ministry thing is over and the question remains. Do I want to do this full-time?
My cell mate–please don’t take me seriously, it’s just that we shared a very small office, quite a change for both of us I’m sure–was a likable woman named Joni, who at one time was a United Church of Christ pastor, but decided for one reason or another, like myself, to let her credentials lapse.
Joni focused on pastoral care, social ministries and the like, and I gave support to the worship, new member and nurture ministries. More or less anyway. Both of us preached.
What I enjoyed most, of course, was the preaching and the opportunity to develop a progressive year-long Bible study I’ve called “Through the Bible in One Year.” As well as the interaction and support I was able to share about to be retired Senior Pastor, Dick Kroll.
The final product, expected to debut in January, is a lot different than a similar product with the same name published by Virgil Hensley some two decades ago.
So the time is over, but the question remains. Do I want to do this full-time?
Given the experience, I guess I’d have to say “maybe.” But one difficult conversation too many with congregants–I only had one, so you get the point–is enough to keep me out of the ministerial meat grinder. My friends tell me that every job has its drawbacks, but my experience says differently. Only the Church is as sick as it is, with its other-worldly expectations of its clergy and everyone else.
It’s time for the Church to chill–I’m not speaking about our Faithspring gatherings or the folks in Forest Grove, they’re an amazingly healthy bunch, I’m speaking in general. And if the Church won’t or can’t, then I guess I’ll have to, as the counseling wisdom goes, change my expectations.
Beginning in January, I’m back to the business.