I love being a pastor. Each day is different and I never really know what I may be dealing with moment by moment. I have been surprised on more than a few occasions by what people tell me, ask me to do, or where I find myself.
Recently, I spoke with a delightful older gentlemen that I know who does not go to our church. Since I was a pastor he told me about his wife's medical condition. He was a bit too detailed. I was a bit too uncomfortable!
Several years ago I filled in for a pastor friend who was sick and officiated a wedding with only 30 minutes noticed. It turned out to be the most I was ever paid for doing a wedding. The rate would have been $800 an hour. I am looking for more of these!
I have done a funeral with only 2 hours notice. Very odd.
During hospital visits I have helped people to the bathroom, been shown scars under gowns (yikes!), and emptied bedpans (awkward), and held the hands of people while they died. Most of all, I have been lost in hospitals.
I have received death threats in the mail, been cursed on the phone, and "gifted" many more times than deserved.
I have hung drywall in our onetime new church digs. Problem, the wall that Dave and I built was to angle "bottom to top". We built it well, but it "angled top to bottom". Never asked to build a wall again!
And here is a doozy...
I did an interview onetime for a person who was making a documentary about prostitutes. He wanted to know how the church would respond to a prostitute who showed up looking for help. I gave an answer framed around grace, God's love, and the person of Jesus Christ. Problem - most of my remarks were edited out and what I said came across as canned and typical. Bigger problem - the finished documentary contained nudity, foul language, and other things that I would not want to be associated with. The filmmaker was trying to get the video on HBO. That was 10 years ago, and to the best of my knowledge it has never been released anywhere.
What was I thinking?
The strangest request that I have ever received? I will tell you tomorrow.
you are a great inspiration to all of us... but i know that there are a lot of crazy things that happen because you are a pastor..
as a PK .. i know the flip side of being a pastor .. and how lonely it can be .. trying to keep the pastor facade up while trying to befriend people.. having relationship, but not trying to let it interfer with church life... never letting people get too close...
hopefully and it seems that you have been able to get through some of that with some close friends.
much love for you and your family.. as they are awesome
Posted by: optionalg | March 01, 2007 at 12:02 PM
I'm waiting for the wierdest request to see if I agree....I have a few fond memories of craziness over these years, too...wonder if it's the same request. :-)
Posted by: Carol Ann | March 01, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Thank you for sharing your perspective. Death threats? You must've been doing some good work! I appreciate your leadership, teaching and friendship. Thanks for hanging out at NH.
Posted by: Donna | March 01, 2007 at 10:36 PM