Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)
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I think
girls/boys considering church employment should be required to read Georges
Bernanos' Diary of a Country
Priest (1936).
Too many young
pastors quit because they should have never started.
It's a tough
business; and only the called
survive.
Bernanos' book is
like a cold shower for prospects who say stupid things like, "I wanna grow
up to be just like Jesus!"
Don't get me
wrong!
That's the goal
for all truly authentic disciples; but when it's said
stupidly/ignorantly/naively by prospects, it's always because they leave out the crucifixion
part.
My favorite quote
from the book explains the responsibility/risk; as an old priest says to a
rookie, "Our Heavenly Father said mankind was the salt of the earth, son,
not the honey. And our poor world's rather like old man Job, stretched
out in all his filth, covered with ulcers and sores. Salt stings on an open wound, but
saves you from gangrene."
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Along with lots
of, uh, others, I
counsel lots of pastors; especially younger ones.
I think it's
because they appreciate me telling them how to learn from my mistakes.
O.K., I live in a
vocational ghetto; yet I'm convinced there are parallels.
Anyway, I came
across an exchange between a fellah and his pastor that I trust is mirrored occasionally.
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A Fellah to His Pastor
"I wanted to
take a moment and ask how you and your family are doing.
I have noticed
you seem to be taking a step back from things.
I can't begin to
imagine what it is like to be in your shoes. You are constantly being
pulled in different directions. People call on you for every little thing
- not to mention church members who can't get along. Now I may be wrong,
as you like to say, but it also seems to me that people are always wanting you
here and there and everywhere for their every need but may not be there for
you.
Just know there
are people you reach that do listen to you and yet there are people that need
more Jesus in their lives instead of 'needing you' all the time.
While I still
have a lot to learn and growing to do in my relationship with Jesus, know that
you helped me start that with your salt and light.
Don't stop doing
what you do.
You are blessed
with the gift to preach HIS message. And like I said, there are people
that you are getting through to.
So I guess I
wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all you give of yourself and do
for others . It doesn't go unnoticed.
Back to what I
originally asked.
How are you?
Is there anything
I can do for you?
I am your friend
and brother in Christ."
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Reply to Fellah from His Pastor
"Thanks,
brother, for your concern.
Because you will
be an elder sooner than later, I will answer directly and concisely; and please
feel free to share this with your wife.
I've often said
the worst time for someone who tries to do what I do is the first Sunday after
Thanksgiving until the first Monday after Easter.
It's not anything
atypical to the last few decades. There's so much excitement about the
season and expectations for the season and people are quickly disappointed by
failed expectations and prone to hysterical drama and transference of that
drama; sooooooo during
this season, I feel more like a referee and cheerleader than undershepherd.
This year has been
especially exacerbated by caring for pastors who are really going through hell
for loving Jesus more than religions about Jesus in our county as well as
country, a denomination that's pathetically and increasingly apostate, a school
district that doesn't know one end from the other, people in the church that
are really, really, really irreconcilable despite..., staff members who talk
too much about retirement and cause me to have to talk to people who, along
with me, don't want them to retire, and...
Actually, it
makes me, as Paul said, feel 'fulfilled' about ministry; and, of course, not
having...
Annnnnnnd I must admit
that ___'s death...
Moretheless, I am more
excited and energized for ministry at ___ than ever before along with...
Since ___ and my
time with ___,...I have felt strangely and consistently and increasingly warmed
in my relationship with Him and His and a passion to live and, if necessary,
literally die for...anyone.
Sooooooo knowing I will
disappoint mean religions like ___, denominational/sectarian jingoists,
non-denominational self-righteous bigots, churches that fence the table, and
people who hate me for taking the church from them and giving it back to Jesus,
I am prepared, sometimes even eager, to exercise a spiritual gift used only
once.
In other words, I
expect to be your friend and pastor until I die or someone assassinates
me. I continue because I know I am called to promote, preserve, and
protect - salt, shine, and leavenate.
I am at more
personal peace than ever before in my life; and it increases as I increase my
intimacy with Jesus.
My constant
challenge is to be guided by Jesus in life and ministry according to Matthew 10
and John 10 with Matthew 10:16 as a punctuation point illustrated by the Lion
of Judah ring that I wear.
For example, I
resigned recently as...from...because I found myself being dragged into
micro-managing administrative things that I'm not gifted nor inclined nor
interested in...
How can you help
me?
Just asking
helps!
Thank you."
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I asked
permission to share this with you.
Blank spots
appear to protect the guilty.
Occasional
encouragement is a blessing...even for people who get Psalm 62.
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While coming from
my vocational ghetto, there are parallels.
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Blessings and Love!
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1 comment:
Praying for you with love every day, dear friend and brother. :)
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