Hebrews 5:1-4
For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.
I think we are in agreement that the church is having a hard time meeting the needs of the culture that incorporates the parish. The church is not the center of activity in the parish in most cities anymore. People leave their 'hood to travel maybe 15 minutes or more to go to "church." The church is not a part of the parish anymore it is more like a Sears where we go to it, it rarely involves itself in those who don't shop there. It has to attract people to its doors instead of opening its door to the 'hood. This may be the inherit problem.
What expectations do we have of our priests (pastors) today? How do we equip them? (Quick note: this is not about the pastors but the institutional thinking.) When I read the passage in Hebrew 5 it brought to mind that the priest is chosen out of the people, to offer sacrifices for people's incorporated sin, and to beseech on their behalf for God to save them. It is more than just to be saved from eternal damnation but to save them from that which damns them now.
I started thinking about how do we train people today to be our priests. It needs to be more than just liturgical organizing but community organizing, parish planning and advocacy. In some parishes, a friend told me, that the biggest thing needed is getting rid of the trash, garbage, and infestation of rodents and pests. Is that a theology issue? Yes, and a public health issue. Along side the preacher, can we begin to hire associates who are able to "clean up" the neighborhood and provide for the needs of the people. The Priest who deals with the Garbage of Sin? What if we hire those who are in the discipline to guide us and be priest in these areas. Is the priest only a liturgical position or can there be priest in parish development. Can we only give the gospel and not be concerned about hygene? We who are antiAbortion are we not also proLife? Can we hate the sin enough that we will work to clean up its affects on the sinner and the neighborhood. Can the church begin to hire those who help with the effect of sin as well as the defining of sin. There is a grace to that.
Hell is eternal and many are living in it right now. Do we work to stop the abuse of a woman by their husband, while still preaching on the sin of divorce? I had a friend, whose husband was abusive. I got a call one night when he was drunk and pounding outside the door because she locked him out. He was now threatening her and the kids if she didn't let him in. She called me and I called the cops on my way over there. When I arrive he turned his anger on me and threatened to kill me. (Oh, by the way, he was in the praise band with me.) Her parents were pastors and tried to counsel her in keeping this quiet, the shame of divorce was greater than the shame of being beat up. This is not meant to be against marriage but advocating for wisdom and maybe Sanctuary. A place of protection and care.
I think we need to think about hiring people who are trained in Social Work to help the poor in our parishes navigate the system of Relief more effectively. Just as a preacher should be trained in understanding the scriptures and properly articulate it so the simple amongst us can understand and live in it.
Instead of relying on one person who is trained in a single discipline we should be thinking of hiring more who can organize, train, and execute programs in the parishes to make revolutionary changes that are needed today.
1 comment:
Tony,
Thank you for your insights. You speak about the Church from a perspective that many of us who make up the institution no longer have. Thank you also for the fearlessness with which you initiate these discussions; you are helping us all to grow.
I love the suggestion that the “parish” ought to also seek to deliver us “from that which damns [us] now.” We certainly don’t call this big room a “sanctuary” for nothing, right? It’s more than just a shopping club for salvation; it’s a rivulet of the wellspring of life that is our Savior.
But I do take issue with is the perspective that the role of the priest is now taken on by the pastor. As an aside, I’m not sure what you think they teach in seminary or how most pastors come to ministry, but they are rarely one-trick-ponies. Although, Biblical interpretation and proclamation is central to the work of a pastor, it is not all we’re trained for. Frankly, most pastors I know spend a substantial portion of their time dealing with those who are in some sort of need. Although we’re not social workers, it is a hat we wear.
But more than that, who within the Church has not been appointed to stand in the gap between sinners and salvation? Who among us cannot deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since each one of us is lost in our own weakness, but by the grace we have received and now proclaim?
If we pastors can be honest with ourselves, it isn’t the lack of compassion for the communities that surround our churches or even the lack of talents to meet those needs that we’re guilty of omitting from our ministry; it’s not effectively sharing the priesthood. I don’t think the answer is in hiring more people from a greater variety of disciplines because these people are already here! In this Body we are a bilingual educator, a medical professional, a soup-kitchen organizer, a career counselor, a lawyer, a domestic abuse advocate, and yes, even a social worker. Central to this Revolution is the revolutionary idea that the work of Christ that has saved us is now entrusted to us.
Again Tony, thank you for the challenges you bring us.
Post a Comment