Stupid Pastors May Keep Me In Ministry
September 11, 2003
So I’ve been having “what am I going to do with my life?” thoughts the past 2 weeks. I currently am a Youth Pastor at a small Presbyterian church in southern Idaho. I love the kids…most of the time [those of you in ministry/education/etc. can relate...I'm sure]. But sometimes, I just wish I could be more involved with music ministry. I also really love the .bE worship gathering we did at my church last July and are putting on again in October. We’ve had such sweet responses from .bE that some friends and I are thinking of taking it on the road and doing it full-time and sharing with people some new (old, but new to them//[ancient/future]) worship techniques…
Would that be possible? I don’t know. We got invited to do .bE at the Emergent Gathering in Glorieta, NM. I’m hoping that it will work out for a few of us to drive down and share our .bE worship with a group of Emergent friends.
Or maybe the next faithful step would be to continue looking at seminaries (and maybe even apply at a few)…I am looking at Princeton (hey, I’m a Presbyterian…), Mars Hill, Regent, Fuller…any suggestions?
And while sometimes I doubt my call into a ministry-related field, every now and then I’ll hear a story about completely stupid pastors…and then it really makes me want to go into ministry to make sure and try and stop them from being stupid. I recently met a youth pastor from my area and shared with him about .bE - I later heard that he is a complete ass. This youth pastor was attending a meeting at a local restaurant with other youth pastors, and a young waitress asked a question about women in ministry. This youth pastor, being of the very conservative persuasion, began to tell her why women shouldn’t be in positions of leadership, etc. And then really wanted to know if “she had peace with the Lord” and told her that he wouldn’t leave until he could be sure that she accepted Christ, and was going to be in Heaven. He kept after her, asking questions and more questions, until finally the girl began to cry…
Could I be so bold as to say that this guy has chosen the wrong calling/career…
Wow. Stupid pastors may keep me in ministry.
Tags: Calling, Ministry, Seminary, Stupid-Pastors
Posted in 
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
September 13th, 2003 at 11:28 am
Right on, Adam! How can there be ANY hope of reversing the negative stereotypes associated with “Christians” if emerging leaders aren’t willing to hang in there and model something different?
March 7th, 2004 at 12:40 am
Great stuff. Was a youth pastor in Boise for 5 years. 50 years old and now experiencing the Big D. Not a good thing. Involved with youth from age 17 til 40 where I stepped out to work on family issues. Didn’t do well. And no, I did not have an affair with any of my students or staff or anyone. Greatest joy of my life was working with students……..don’t screw it up.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I have been a stupid pastor from time to time on many levels. I had a Presbyterian guy try to get me saved at Starbucks recently who was having coffee with his two adult children. My Bible was out and I was working on my computer for my Sunday talk. He scooted up next to me and asked in an aragant tone, “Can you tell me how to go to Heaven?” I said, “No because you already know.” His adult kids said, “Dad, I told you to leave that guy alone.” He left me alone after that and I was glad to be rid of him. Don’t ever give up on ministry people are extremely weird but Jesus is absolutely wonderful and always will be. Just continue to love God, love others and you’ll change. Really! After 36 years of continued ministry I know it’s true.