MONDAY MUSINGS

July 28, 2008

Pastor and Teacher

Yesterday Peter Frye was installed as Pastor and Teacher of St. Jacob’s and St. John’s United Churches of Christ in Sunman.  Peter is a recent graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary, newly ordained, and this is his first call to parish ministry.

There are many ways to describe the work and calling of a parish pastor, many aspects to the job description and the expectations of the church members.  Pastor and Teacher may not cover all of what we do, but they do point us in the right direction.

A Pastor is a person who has the ability and the inclination to listen to the many stories and events that make up our lives .Each person has been shaped and molded by family and friends and events, some traumatic and some wonderfully healing.  We often do not share such stories very readily, wanting the stories to be treated with respect and needing a bond of trust.  The privilege of pastoral ministry is being present with folk when they are willing to let you into their lives and tell you important things about the people they have become. 

I believe that the best and most fruitful time in the relationship between a pastor and a congregation are years 4, 5, 6 and 7.  It takes that long to develop trust and relationship.  It takes that investment of time to open ourselves to each other.

A Teacher is a person who can draw out the wisdom of others, the insights and learnings that have enriched our lives.  The pastor is the resident theologian in many respects, the one who has devoted time and effort to studying the Bible, learning the history of the church, and keeping up with the great theologians, past and present.  However, the pastor is certainly not the only theologian, for each of us has formed opinions and beliefs, influenced by our own life experiences.  We need to create forums in which adults can talk with each other about important things, faith questions, life dilemmas, discussions about values and principles.  Each of us is a saint in the process of becoming better saint so that together we may build up the Body of Christ.

It was good to be present to celebrate this connection of pastor and people.  I trust Peter will grow into this work of ministry, this calling to be the pastor and the teacher of these congregations.  This seems to be a gracious and forgiving place for him to make his first mistakes in ministry, a blessing I experienced in my first place of ministry.  May God bless him as God blesses the good folk of these churches.  Peace.  John Krueger