Pity the Poor Pastor

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(Note: Although I believe in politically correct speech, it sometimes makes writing difficult. So please read clergy as referring to the ordained religious of both genders.)

Although often used as a synonym for clergyperson, Pastor is actually a job title, just one of many job titles reflecting the responsibilities incumbent upon a man or woman after their ordination by a Christian denomination. In the office of pastor, the clergy are responsible for offering succor to parishioners with personal problems, comfort to the lonely, encouragement to the sick, and solace to the dying and the bereaved.

The clergy are also priests. They are in charge of administering the Christian sacraments of Baptism, Communion, Marriage, Funeral Rites and Interment, and sometimes Ordination. Depending on the denomination they may also hear confessions and offer Absolution. Preparing for and performing these priestly duties often occupy a significant part of the clergy's time.

Preacher is another role incumbent on the clergy. Preparing and delivering the weekly sermon(s) is the lot of almost all and the bane of many clergy (and not a few parishioners). The sermon must edify, and sometimes castigate, always with the aim of helping its hearers to lead a more fulfilling spiritual life. It has been said that a great sermon comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.

Administrator is an umbrella under which hides a variety of responsibilities that are part of the clergy's daily life. Churches, regardless of size and denomination are businesses and clergy are the CEOs of these. Income and the ways of maintaining and increasing this require a good deal of time and expertise—not all clergy have the ability to raise money effectively, although some are appointed (hired) to do primarily this because they are skilled at it. Because most churches are connectional, they must also insure that the local congregation contributes to the upkeep of the bureaucracy. Sometimes administration also includes overseeing major improvement or building programs. All this can only be done effectively by maintaining an active, committed and contributing membership, so the clergy must have good public relations skills, and not all do. TBC

Silent Pulpits

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In commemoration of Martin Luther Kings "I HAVE A DREAM" speech.

I am a fully ordained minister with a Masters of Divinity degree from a noted theological school who left the pulpit over thirty years ago after serving congregations for ten years. Although no longer affiliated with any denomination or religious body, I am still interested in the effect of religion on American life and I follow news reports, as few as there are, of trends in religious activity. I find no greater example of the divide between church and state than in the apparent silence echoing from the majority of American pulpits about the apparent indifference at best and antipathy at worse, of the Republican dominated House of Representatives and reactionary Republican senators to the plight of the working poor, their elderly, and most egregiously their children. Unfortunately there is a financial reason for this.

The local churches to which many of these wealthy Republican legislators claim membership are member supported and it is an unwise and generally soon replaced clergy who alienate their membership by preaching sermons that afflict the comfortable by reminding them how they are falling short of important tenets of their professed Christianity. To challenge and therefore trouble the wealthy members of any congregation is to prompt financial retribution. I know this first hand.

Right leaning (conservative, evangelical, fundamentalist) ministers, especially those with strong media voices, are long and loud in their condemnation of liberal (progressive) politicians and causes but I have heard not a word of rebuke from them concerning the responsibility of the wealthy to those in need. Or better yet, the responsibility of politicians to respond to the needs of the many, the taxpayers who pay their salaries and for their perks, and not to cater just to the greed of the wealthy few.

There is an old parable about a fire and brimstone preacher addressing the sins of people in general. He railed away at fornicators, adulterators, gamblers, drinkers of spirits, and smokers. Three grand dames seated in the Amen Corner responded to each of these attacks with loud and vigorous 'Amens'. The then pastor attacked the evils of dipping snuff. The old ladies were quiet for several moments after he finished. Then one was heard to whisper to the others, "Now he's quit preaching and gone to meddling!" In my view, it is time for the preachers in America's pulpits to openly criticize and remind politicians at all levels of government who profess to be Christians that their religion teaches that greed and covetousness are evil, as are intolerance, prejudice, and injustice.

The high price of great wealth

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As part of an investigation I was working, I had to interview a retired attorney who had become very wealthy defending big players in organized crime (including Al Capone) and who now lived in one of the most exclusive counties south of Baltimore. His restored antebellum mansion was situated in beautiful rolling countryside at the end of a long, winding drive set between large old oaks. Before I could enter the drive, I had to announce myself at a call box to have the tall iron gate prohibiting casual traffic opened for me. As I parked in front of the house I felt more than just a twinge of envy.

I was admitted to the large ornate foyer by a butler who informed me that the gentleman with whom I had the appointment was waiting for me on the deck at poolside to which he accompanied me. A diminutive old man in a wheelchair greeted me; a lap robe covered his legs even though the day was very warm. His face showed the signs of a lingering illness. His hand shook as he handed me the documents for which I had come.

The pool was very large and obviously well maintained as were the beautifully landscaped grounds within my view. In a paddock at the bottom of the rise upon which sat the house, two thoroughbreds were occupied in a playful, mock battle.

I had just finished my interview when we were joined by a middle-aged woman introduced as his housekeeper who said it was time for his lunch. He appealed to me to join him, saying he so seldom received guests that my company would be most welcomed. At his bidding the housekeeper offered me a choice of several foods including steak and lobster. I settled for a burger and potato chips. In a few moments I was served one of the best steak burgers I can ever remember eating along with a generous portion of delicious potato chips and a superb milkshake. His meal came under a cover on a silver salver. When he lifted the cover I was surprised to see two small bowls of pureed gruel. He looked longingly at my plate and said, "I would give all of this..." he pointed over my shoulder at the house and then in a feeble sweeping motion, at the grounds around him, "...if I could eat what you are having." I left feeling much more satisfied with my own lot in life.