Pastoral Care 101: Vol 2
March 1, 2006
"We who are called of God for Christian ministry are called first of all into the sabbath rest that Christ himself completed through the offering up of his own humanity in obedient, faithful service to God. With our backs straight up against the rock of his healed humanity, we reach out to meet human needs, do battle with evil and take the Word of God on our lips to proclaim his salvation. No temptation has ever overtaken us, says the Scripture, that has not already been experienced and healed in Jesus (Heb 4:15). I venture to say that no injury can ever be sustained in the work of God’s ministry for which there is not already healing waiting at home." (Ray S. Anderson, The Shape of Practical Theology, 289)
Posted in Ministry
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
March 1st, 2006 at 8:39 pm
That is great. Amen!
March 3rd, 2006 at 2:36 pm
“offering up of his own humanity in obedient, faithful service to God”
Good stuff.
March 4th, 2006 at 11:00 am
its difficult for me to process this (in my opinion it‚Äôs a false dichotomy) . . . . imagining anyone “called of God for christian ministry . . . i understand that means ‚Äúpaid‚Äù and by implication it also infers ‚Äúbetter‚Äù or more effective somehow . . . . anyway, it seems reasonable to me that we are all “called to relieve the human condition” . . . regardless of how we generate money to support . . . our families . . . the poor around us . . . . and the efforts we attempt at relieving the human condition . . .
for me . . . it is so interesting that when i meet a “licensed or ordained” modern evangelical or mainline “minister/pastor” i feel more affinity with them on a business echelon than i do on a spiritual one . . . (for me that speaks volumes of the systemic issues facing the current model of ministry) . . . they often speak of the attendance, the building expansions and growth models, and the revenue requirements . . . . i feel as though i am meeting an average or below average business person if i am honest . . . (btw, i’m just trying to be honest here, i’m not trying to be hurtful in anyway) . . .
interestingly enough, in my job i am responsible for maintaining long term “C” level relationships (CEO,CIO, CFO, COO, etc.) and as i get to know these individuals over time many of they if not most, yearn for someone to “engage” them on a spiritual echelon . . . and the business stuff comes as second nature as organic to the relationship . . . these individuals are yearning for the healing that your author writes about and oddly enough many of us approach this issue in a “spiritually-counterintuitive” way . . . from the business of the church or with business wisdom . . . and that makes us look . . . well foolish . . . its weird!
March 6th, 2006 at 4:06 pm
In regard to “C” level relationships, it seems those at that “level” have a very competitive drive. But perhaps they feel a bit out of control - unbalanced, or stuck. Consider this from Henri Nouwen:
“There was a man on a horse galloping swiftly along the road. An old farmer standing in the fields, seeing him pass by, called out, ‘Hey, rider, where are you going?’ The rider turned around and shouted back, ‘Don’t ask me, just ask my horse!’”
Without the Sabbath rest described in the original quote, we tend to move toward an unknown destiny. Even those in the “C” level positions will begin to realize that those positions, those stations in life, are temporary. The Sabbath rest is where we find orientation and meaning.
March 6th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
its instructive to me that you chose to speak to the weaknesses that i outlined as admitted weaknesses from several “C” level individuals i have encountered in my professional encounters …
but . . .
you didnt comment on the larger issues i thought i raised . . . and that is that when i meet a ‚Äúlicensed or ordained‚Äù modern evangelical or mainline ‚Äúminister/pastor‚Äù i feel more affinity with them on a business echelon than i do on a spiritual one . . . (for me that speaks volumes of the systemic issues facing the current model of ministry) . . . they often speak of the attendance, the building expansions and growth models, and the revenue requirements . . . . i feel as though i am meeting an average or below average business person if i am honest . . . and for me that is far more significant that honoring “sunday” particualaring in light of col 2:16
March 8th, 2006 at 12:00 am
David -
If you are speaking of “senior” pastors of large congregations, then the comparison to a business professional is one that I would not disagree with - it is reality today - though not what I would want in a pastor.
For many pastors, the approved model is to continue to move to larger churches, much like climbing a corporate ladder.
For some, the sermons are polished with the thoughts of others - little of the information actually owned by the pastor (internally).
But the spiritual pastor spends significant time in prayer, uses Biblical examples frequently to help people with Biblical literacy, gets out among the people, addresses people on their spiritual level, gets real, doesn’t avoid problems and issues - but addresses them. Of this type pastor it won’t be said that s/he doesn’t know the people. This pastor is not in a position, but in a “call”, of which s/he knows that where they are is where God wants them to serve, and that the people there agree that this pastor was sent by God to this place and time.
I would much rather see a pastor build a church spiritually, than physically. This requires depth, and let’s be honest, many don’t have this kind of depth. I would much rather see pastors serve a church from the core of their being, rather than until their material runs out (and they recycle it at the next place).
The spiritual pastor works on relationships, and is more apt to correct out of love - rather than appeal to those who have deep pockets, regardless what they want in return.
Even in small town America, graying congregations seem to think they need a polished, business-like, experienced pastor. But it is the fresh, spiritual pastor who can turn things around, who can move people out of their ruts.
I’ve been a pastor for 8 months now. (”Second career” - since I’m in my 40’s) The custodian has been here 15 years - yet none of the 4 previous pastors bothered to ask him about his faith. He is nearing retirement at the full-time job he’s had for 40+ years, which is more than adequate to support him - especially since he is single. But he has a speech impediment which requires significant time for conversations. The business-like pastor is going to consider it ineffecient to do more than a cursory “see how things are going.” But I think this fellow has been hanging around all these years, just waiting for someone to care about him - for who he is. We are planning his baptism, and he wants to invite all his nieces and nephews who haven’t been baptized, who haven’t been introduced to Christ yet.
So, I’m hoping that you don’t judge all pastors based upon the ones you’ve had contact with. I’m not much of a preacher - at least not the way most would define it. Neither the sermon text, nor the sermon delivery, are even close to being polished. But they come from the heart.
March 8th, 2006 at 12:02 am
I’m out of time at the moment, but would love to discuss the Sabbath in more detail - another day.
March 8th, 2006 at 9:44 am
David - In regard to Col. 2:16, may I share what it means to me?
Literal translation: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you all (plural) in eating and in drinking or in respect to a feast or a new moon or sabbaths.”
I believe the quote (about not knowing where the horse is headed) applies here. The context of the discussion is about Christ, the “substance” - not the “shadow”.
The Sabbath began at sundown on Friday evening, and was very Jewish. Speaking to a mostly non-Jewish context, Col. 2 says not to worry about observing the Sabbath, which others might try to push upon you. Christ is the fulfillment of the OT.
This verse isn’t suggesting that a person can simply go their own way. It points to Jesus, and away from observing an old custom for the conscience of another. This is addressed to an assembly, a Church if you will - not to an individual.
Observance of the Jewish Sabbath celebrations, as well as the need for circumcision, are done away with - they are no longer necessary. If you know Christ, then you know where you are going. If you are simply following customs, then you wonder where this horse is taking you.
March 8th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
i appreciate all the points that you made here . . . thanks for the response . . .