Help or Hindrance?

Here's a question posed by John as he commented on my last post:

Does the pastoral vocational method empower or inhibit an individual from engaging in their calling in the footsteps of Jesus, the greatest "full time" minister ever?

I think that's a fair question and I would even expand it to include church praxis. Do our methods of gathering, programming, and doing church help or hinder our growth and spiritual formation. And do the demands and expectations of pastoral (full-time) ministry fit easily within the context of developing a greater intimacy with the Father?

In response to both of these questions and/or similar questions, I would say that it depends. Perhaps it depends mainly on one's approach to church and spiritual health. If there's a focus on externals, behavior, appearances, rules, etc...then true intimacy with God will be difficult to experience. Those in the body become too dependant upon the "pastoral" leadership and open themselves to manipulation and blind followership.

I believe that a spiritual leader who understands their role in the Body and continually points people to the Father, Son, and Spirit...and who does not see the institution as an end in and of itself...that individual could function as a healthy leader, teacher, and catalyst for spiritual transformation.

Clergy and/or Laity

I'm trying to decide if I'm feeling defensive or just anxious to understand the semantics and praxis of this issue of "calling."

Also having just listened to the God Journey and Wayne's story of starfish and decentralized leadership in community...this topic is consuming my thoughts at the moment.

Certainly we should be in agreement that there's no real distinction within the body between clergy and laity. Unfortunately, I think the abuse of leadership and power has put the role of a pastor/leader in jeopardy or at least in very serious suspicion.

Obviously, not everyone agrees with this biblical concept...because it threatens their ability to manipulate or obligate those in the community to act a certain way. Ministry offers tremendous opportunities for ego-driven, insecure, manipulative, power-hungry individuals to assert themselves. But that doesn't mean there aren't some healthy leadership roles to be played in the spiritual community.

I really believe that God "calls" some to be so committed to the spiritual formation and nurture of others that there will be no choice but to be in some type of full-time pastoral service to the church. But if that "calling" becomes self-serving or an attempt to manipulate people, an obvious deviation from the Kingdom approach Jesus models for us is the unfortunate result.

Tom, perhaps you and I will not be content or 100% engaged unless we're positioned to encourage, equip, and care for the Body in vocational capacity?!

Could the majority of Christians or pre-Christians be discipled and thrive spiritually without a pastor-shepherd in their lives? I'm not so sure. But that indicates a lack of trust in the Holy Spirit or an over-developed sense of clergy importance.

The Calling

So I'm having some good conversations with a friend about our "calling" as pastors or whatever. I'm not sure what to do with the idea at the moment.

I would assume there are several others out there who happen across this blog who would claim to have answered some kind of "call" to ministry.

As I reflect on my own experience of "calling" which culminated during my freshman year of college at Anderson University, I wonder how much of it was a conditioned response to the spiritual culture and environment I was a part of. What I mean by that is just the lingering expectations placed on me for several years prior to that. How many times did someone ask or tell me I'd grow up to be a pastor like my dad or that I'd make a good pastor etc?? A lot!

I'm not trying to cast doubt and suspicion on my calling, I just want to understand it a little better. And in what way is this mysterious "calling" to some type of ministerial vocation different from the calling on every Christian to be a minister? That's a basic expectation for a Christ follower isn't it? especially if you're a protestant one.

And then for those of us who find ourselves outside of that ministerial calling or paid service to a local congregation...does that mean we're not being faithful to the "call?" Has my affair with the coffee shop over the past few years been a distrustful act of self-sufficiency?

I believe that pastors (of any variety beit lead, worship, youth, childrens, chaplains, etc) need a sense of calling to carry them through the very difficult seasons which come in ministry. But does one HAVE to be IN ministry (vocationally) in order to fulfill a calling?

Please weigh in.

Following the Green Siren

A quick biographical blurb: The java journey has brought me back to Cincinnati. I'm helping out at a new store in Florence for a little while. If I decide to continue in management with Starbucks, I'll just hang out here until a better opportunity comes along.

We continue to build relationships at our new church (Lifespring Nazarene) and I'm helping as the interim worship pastor there. With my background and experience in the church, my calling, and my education...the question of vocational ministry looms large in my mind. I can't seem to settle in with Starbucks and find a level of contentment there. Of course, contentment has been quite an allusive concept for me for several years.

We're hoping to have some level of clarity on our path in the next few months so that we can find a more permanant housing situation and get the girls settled into a new school in the Fall. That's not going to be fun since Jess already argues strongly for another year of homeschooling. She's just scared to be in a new environment again and be forced to make new friends. I completely understand!

I'm watching UK begin to pull away from Villanova. Perhaps Tubby will get to keep his job after all?

By the way, Greg...I don't know about a new store on 5 Mile...but there's definitely a new one opening around Beechmont in May or June (across from the Cherry Grove Kroger). Drop me an email sometime so I can make sure I've got your e-ddress.

Any Rob Bell fans out there? What do you think about his teaching and some of his critics' opinions? I just read a nasty article which basically called him an unorthodox new age heretic. Then I found a good article on Ben Witherington's blog where he kind of dismantled one of Bell's big ideas from a nooma video (and from his book). Just makes me wonder if I've soaked in the Mars Hill teachings without much filtering?

Blogger Defense

Les tours de La Défense et la Grande Arche

Obviously, blogging can often be a lesson in humility. It's a bit like asking for it. However, in my last post, the content I was hoping to get some retort on was mainly ignored. And although I'd like to lay down the mantle of self-defense or convincing...there may be an opportunity to say something helpful here.

First of all, my brother chastised my financial irresponsibility. Since our entire family has known nothing but monetary struggle, debt, and fiscal irresponsibility...it's certainly an area of opportunity for accountability. I received his remarks in a bristling manner but concur with his assessment. A kayak would indeed be a luxury at this time (as would be Chappy's motorcycle dang'it).

I suppose Mr. Durst's assessment was even more prickly under my saddle. Although Greg's comment was a pretty good response on both issues...I want to point out a problem.

Equating working 70-80 hours/week with success or "providing" for the family...that's a problem.

Denying that an engaged, passionate, refreshed, and spiritually healthy father/husband is of great value.

Projecting only an occasional negative voice into someone's life...is a problem.

Now I shouldn't overlook Katrina who focused in on the most relevant and pressing content. And I'm always intrigued when someone drops a comment out of nowhere like that (just meaning I don't know Katrina). But it's so cool to track down a blog or just a little info from the profile/bio and get a glimpse into someone else's story. Blessings on your journey.

I agree at least in part with Katrina's assessment that the church acts as a kind of spiritual triangulating device. Perhaps like the law...which perhaps is more helpful to the transgressor (awakening an awareness of sin) than to the trusting deciple who is guided internally by love rather than with external regulations.

But I wonder that the disconnect between "church" and her current "well being" exists because the church experience is less Kingdom (love) and more institution (law) than it should be? And that comes back to what I'm questioning again in my present context...are we promoting the institution more than we are promoting a transformed life in Christ with others?

As for Greg...thanks for your encouragement to embrace some adventure in a safe manner.

Future Adventure

It was the most beautiful day of the year so far...and I wasn't able to get on the bike. Argh! I left my helmet and pump in Batesville. I'll be there tomorrow to tie up a few loose ends after my morning shift at Starbucks.

Tonight makes 4 nights in a row at home with my girls...priceless!

I went kayak shopping today but didn't find the one I was looking for. The time for adventure and wilderness is coming. Whether it's a section of the Appalachian trail, a bike ride along the coast, or kayaking from Cincinnati to New Orleans...I haven't completely decided. But it's time to stop talking about adventure and embrace it.

My church-y question or thought for today is this? Are we just perpetuating an anemic powerless and helpless bunch of Christians by making church all about the worship event on Sundays? A person can attend church for months or years and never grow spiritually. I know some of that is just totally up to the individual, but by investing more in a one-hour event than into individual relationships...we're not helping are we?

Birthdays & Batesville

This past week presented a couple of coming-of-age experiences. One was turning 36 a few days before my youngest daughter turned 4. We've had several birthday meals and special family gatherings which culminated in a big dinner this evening. Jaquey got a few more cute Strawberry Shortcake outfits and pajamas along with a Strawberry Shortcake scooter! Yeah...lots of excitement and skinned knees and hands to come.

I received several clothing items as gifts which made me reflect a bit. Since joining Deb's family 12+ years ago...I could probably count on 1 or 2 hands the times I've needed to go out and buy myself any clothes. My wonderful mother-in-law has probably purchased 85% of the clothes I own!

The other coming-of-age experience was less pleasant. I suppose it will end up categorized as one of those life lessons which we tend to learn the hard way. Early in January I took on the promotion and assignment of opening a new store for Starbucks in Batesville, Indiana. Over the past 2 months, I got to know dozens of wonderful people and absolutely worked my tail off to get Starbucks off the ground in that little casket-producing town. But the time I was spending away from Deb and the girls just got to be too unbearable. And any financial benefits of taking advantage of this opportunity were eaten up with the overhead of rent, food, and transportation. So we decided to pull the plug and say a quick goodbye to my new Batesville buddies. That was tough...but certainly the right decision.

I've really had enough of this learning the hard way over the past few years!

The Cycling Season

Oh sweet...the cycling season is upon us. That's always the extra motivation I need to jump back on the bike and get some miles underwheel.

I suppose I am a fair-weather cyclist since I haven't been on the bike more than a couple of times this winter, but 8 months out of 12 isn't too bad.

Watching this coming Sunday's coverage of Paris-Nice on Versus will launch me into at least a 20-30 mile ride on Monday! And that will be as spiritually & emotionally beneficial as it is physical.

A New Week

Some weeks begin with a sense of dread and a return-to-the-grind mindset (pun intended).

This week is different.Hope is an amazing thing!

I'm still thinking through the idea of success though. As Phil mentioned in the Out of Ur post I referenced last time, I really believe that success is not what we're conditioned to think it is...even in the church and in ministry.

How is success defined in Scripture? What words of Christ could we say encapsulates an authentically God-honoring concept of success?

James says that pure religion is looking after orphans and widows in their distress. Old Testament prophets would suggest something similar...letting justice roll along like a river...taking care of the poor and oppressed. Obviously, at some level it's about living a life of faith and total dependence/reliance on God (Ruthless Trust--by Brennan Manning is in my head right now).

I become more and more convinced that the Americanization of the gospel and simply being raised in this culture creates some serious handicaps for us spiritually.

Fruit & Vegetables

Out of Ur has an interesting article and some quotes from Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales. I didn't realize the guys with Big Ideas had gone through a Big Bankruptcy. Why do we have to go through such difficult circumstances to learn what's really important?

Here, Phil talks a little about succes:

What is your understanding of success now?

Now I understand God has a unique journey for each of us with unique
measures of success. Now I ask myself, have I done what God has asked me to do?
Am I walking with him daily? Success has very little to do with where I end up.
I don’t know exactly why, but we seem wired to look for numerical results for
affirmation. But success in ministry cannot be about measurable impact.


Wow...those words are succinct, aren't they? "Success has very little to do with where I end up." Reminds me of the successories image with the caption "Success is the journey not a destination."