Listening to the sermon as my grandson-in-law, Nate Patnode, was being ordained Saturday in Wollaston, my mind left the fine words from the general superintendent and I thought of John Wesley's charge to his preachers: "Preach Christ, in all his offices!"
I remember how I wondered what to "do" in my first pastorate now more than fifty years ago. What "plan," what "program," what pattern to follow. I recall thinking that I basically was to LIVE with "my people" and SHOW them Jesus as best I could.
It was not until many years later this emerged as a pattern: Jesus as prophet, priest, and king.
But not just TELL them with words!
Incarnate-- LIVE the message! An impossible task! Yes?
As prophet the pastor must tell forth the Good News. Get right with God! He loves YOU!
As priest the pastor has the privilege of re-presenting, or standing between God and his people; in the sdacraments, at the graves, weddings, and intercessory prayer.
As king? NO! That is Jesus alone- BUT the role for the pastor is SHEPHERD! That is where all the thousand nudges and encouragements and committee meetings with grace (ha) and caring-- the love for the easy-to-love anmd the LOVE for those not-so-easy comes in!
Ah-- what was that GS saying? Amen!
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1 comment:
I love you Grandpa.
I wouldn't be who I am today
if it were not for you.
I appreciate your daily prayers,
I love hearing you
and much of who I am from who you are.
You told me before heading off to school to "make my faith my own", that has helped me a lot, help me realize that I cannot belief just because you do, or dad does... I have to know why... I've come to the conclusion that too many people don't know the why that goes to their faith.
anyway... all that just to say I LOVE YOU and I enjoy hearing and reading all of your thoughts.
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