I thought long and hard about weather or not I should write this blog. I want to start off by saying that I am in no way trying to call anybody out, or implying that I know anybodies intentions. I am not putting words into anybodies mouth or trying to say that I know what a particular person meant when they made a certain statement. This blog is simply about understanding where others including my husband are coming from.
I recently read a blog from a friend of mine whom I have great respect for. He is a pastor and has been in ministry a long time. The blog was simply a little blurb about a day in his life where he ran into a bunch of people whom I'm assuming are members of his congregation. At the end of the blog he made a statement that since he had run into these people outside of church, some of his "duties" for the week were taken care of.
Like I said previously, I don't know what exactly he meant, and I am not putting words into his mouth. However, as I was reading it, it dawned on me what my husband Joe has felt and expressed to me many times about people in ministry and Christians in general. Joe has always shied away, not from God, but from religion and always says that he is hard pressed to find people who he feels are genuine, or not fake or people he feels truly care about him. I could hear his voice in my head as I read this statement saying, "see Erin, it's his job to care about people, so he makes the rounds like he's supposed to." I am constantly defending "Christians" and saying that of course there are people who are hypocrites in the church, but not everyone is that way and sometimes you just have to have a little bit of faith in people. I for one have found more Christians than not that have a real love for one another. I think that it is important though that people do not have ministry burnout because that is when it becomes just a job, as opposed to genuine caring and concern for others, their lives, and their emotional needs. It's unfortunate when these burnouts give substance to someone who is already a skeptic. I pray for Joe everyday that he may find whatever it is that he is looking for in Godly people. I do understand why he may feel the way that he feels, and I pray that those who are involved in ministry, including myself would remember why exactly they are doing what they are doing.
Monday, May 12, 2008
An unfortunate veiw
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3 comments:
"I recently read a blog from a friend of mine whom I have great respect for." (ahem, cough cough. . .)
The danger of the internet is that you can't see body language on the page. . .that line was meant in whimsy and in jest, a humorous poke at being the "Reverend" in a small community. In reality, I love the fact that I get to see people out and about, to engage with them in their lives, rather than simply seeing them as parishioners who come to church. Sorry if it sounded trite; it was just my little bit of self-deprecating humor.
Now you see, That is why I wasn't sure about writing the blog! I know that you didn't mean it like that, but It was more about the little voice of Joe in my ear. I could just see him making some sort of comment about something like that and making some snide comment about it because that's what he does and who he is. He takes a lot of things out of context as a skeptic. Anyway, it was just thoughts it my head and they came out the way that they came out. I wasn't trying to put emotion behind your statement, that wasn't intended to be there! And I'm sure that being a pastor, is a little like being a star! Everyone adores you and can't get enough of you! LOL!
Anyway, I hope that you understand that the blog was not about you or your blog, really, it was about Joe.
actually, for those of us who spend most of our time "inside" the church, it is very helpful to be reminded how those "outside our walls" hear the things we say. So I appreciate your insight into the matter. And I'm not offended in the slightest.
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