Shocking American statistics from Eugene Cho – pastors are a higher risk for life insurance than munitions workers. (Link via Scot McKnight.) I don’t like singling out ministers like this, but perhaps Cho’s post connects with me due to my recent ministry experiences.
I was back in the saddle today. I preached the same sermon morning and evening. Everything was received wonderfully well in the morning at my LEP church, despite me forgetting at first the prayers of confession, failing to notice that the reader for one of the lessons had arrived and forgetting to choose music to be played during communion. It’s the church I shouldn’t fit in at really: my Anglican colleague is at the opposite end of the theological spectrum and candle from me but she is a kind and compassionate person (sorry, I don’t mean that to sound patronising) and the real beauty of the congregation is that they are wonderfully normal. They laugh and they are honest.
In contrast this evening I re-preached it at the church where I have had the tensions I recently mentioned. No reaction at all. The service (Holy Communion) lasted 1 hour 12 minutes, so that should have been acceptable to those who have grumbled about the length of my services. The sermon was done inside 20. There were, however, six hymns (and two had eight verses) – which has been cause for complaint (you’d never know ‘Methodism was born in song’) and I doggedly kept the modern text for the Lord’s Prayer (which according to one of my critics isn’t inclusive, only the ‘traditional’ version is). I guess I only hear when there’s something to complain about, rather than something worth affirming.
I gather I’m not the first minister to get this treatment there, and that relieves me – not because I wish ill on colleagues but because it highlights the pattern, makes me feel less strange and less like this is a concern for me to get strokes. It raises issues about the place of vulnerable people in this culture – not that there aren’t a good number of kind, caring folk there, because there are. More and more do I understand the preoccupation in recent years for church health ahead of church growth.
Just some gut thoughts before bedtime …
Technorati Tags: ministry, Eugene+Cho, Scot+McKnight, health
Big Circumstance 
Hello David
It’s Sue Cherry from Christ Church. Just read your entry for the 11th. This is just a personal message to you to let you know that I often call into your blog to read your sermons. Too long? Never. Your sermons are always an interesting read and valuable source of learning even if occassionaly controversial. Having been blessed by your ministry in the past I can say that any amount of time listening to you preach is a privilege that should be appreciated however long you’re speaking because you always have something worthwhile, God given and Spirit blessed to impart. Don’t be discouraged by the whingers they’re often the ones who miss the point and are in need of God’s tender touch of mercy which He so freely gives. There is obviously a long term, major grass roots problem which needs to be weeded out and dealt with; often it’s a few minor issues which have become ‘monster’ sized problems.
Sad to hear of your health problems. Do your best to take yourself out for a walk as often as you can just as you did when you had the dog. I’m sure it’s difficult with the little one’s around but I hope and pray you will be able to find a solution that will suit you, the family and your diary. God bless and thank you for your continued ministry in my personal journey with Christ.
LikeLike