once a pastor always a pastor

Last updated on: June 27, 2012 at 6:21 pm by David Hayward

once a pastor always a pastor 2012-06-27T18:21:43-04:00 David Hayward

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

… those who believed themselves to have a vocation, a call, needed to reach a stage in their development when they knew that the constraint had not been quite of the kind they originally thought, but rather an inevitable outcome of their temperament, upbringing, and the particular problems they had (Monica Furlong, Merton, p. 334).

I’ve appreciated that quote for years. At first I didn’t because it challenged my super-spiritual belief in a supernatural call to the ministry. But after years of hard labour in the church, lots of humiliation and a radical change in my theology, I came closer to agreement with it. Now that I have left the professional ministry, I’m in complete agreement. I see the deep wisdom it contains.

It challenges those in the ministry, especially those who take some sort of assumptive pride in their call. I conclude, conversely, that it can encourage those who’ve left the professional ministry, especially those who feel like failures.

Here’s why:

It means that if your ministry was the “inevitable outcome” of your life, then you were a pastor before you were called one, recognized as one, ordained as one or paid as one. It means that your pastor’s mind, heart and gifts were already brewing long before your were served up to the church. The official sanctioning of your call is only that: a public and authorized recognition of something that pre-existed. You, like so many courageous men and women before you, must walk out and live with a confidence that you are who you are, someone that looks and acts like a pastor, even if you don’t carry the card, wear the uniform or occupy the office.
It means that no matter where you find yourself, you can be who you are… a natural born pastor… in the midst of it. It doesn’t mean you “act like a pastor”. I’ve seen that kind of religious behavior in a secular work place and it’s sickening. But you can really care for people. The church isn’t the only place where people look for compassion, care, understanding, wisdom, unconditional love, a listening ear. The people around you are like you… hurt, confused, lonely, suspicious, unhealthy, sick, dying, and embroiled in the overwhelming complexities of life’s drama. There’s nothing sweeter than someone who will listen without judgment and inject words of care. Believe me, unconditional love with an open mind and heart and ear is a hot commodity because it is extremely rare.
It also means that you can use your pastoral wisdom and knowledge. You have been theologically and spiritually trained. I’ve concluded that this hasn’t been a waste for me. Everyone talks about spirituality. Everyone is interested in mysteries. Almost everyone talks about ghosts, spirits, the afterlife, eastern religions, God, atheism, what’s wrong and what’s right, justice… you name it! It’s endless! As long as you can keep your evangelizing to yourself, your studied opinion of these things will be appreciated. Especially if you are humble about it and offer your thoughts, like most other people do, as just your opinion. Once you claim it is THE truth, you will never be included in those discussions again. Promise.

So there’s just 3 simple ways to be a pastor wherever you are. Maybe your call wasn’t as supernatural as you thought. Maybe the whole notion has been undermined. Maybe you were born a pastor. Now you are, like me, churchless. However, if this is true, then you are still a pastor. But only if you want to be. You might not be getting paid for it. No one calls you “Rev” (unless it becomes a nickname, endearing or otherwise). There’s no official recognition. But you’ll be functioning as a pastor.

The meaning you will find in such encounters may remind you of why you went into this business in the first place. You might be surprised at how much more fulfilling it is.

I provide one on one spiritual coaching. Especially for those going through spiritual transition. Would you like to talk? Click here.

Previous Post

June 27, 2012

teacher of the truth

Next Post

June 28, 2012 what must i do?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category art cartoons cartoons 2 freebie music one minute message podcast Sophia teaching technology thought

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 March 2006 February 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who is considered the ideal wife and mother in Proverbs?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mary Magdalene The Proverbs 31 woman Eve Martha