Being Pastoral

So we had a huge, thought-provoking, seemingly helpful dialogue today in our pastors meeting regarding the values and functions of the pastoral role (led by yours truly no less).  As a dozen or so of us that make up the Crossing pastoral staff sat together, we shared the various aspired values that we would like to see play out in both our individual and organization as it pertains to pastors.  Things like a the priority of personal prayer, the reality of truly compassionately helping people, and an overall spiritual environment.

The reality is much of our time is eaten up with the tasks that ministry and church life in this culture seems to demand.  The long lists of to-do’s can so quickly drown out the voice of God.  We wrestled with the freeing up of time and whether a legislated pastoral margin would actually compel us to be more pastoral.  I think NOT.  The call and role of a pastor must begin in the heart of an individual and though the organization/system can provide practical means to enhance that role, the individual must be spirit and heart led to ultimately fulfill it.  To say, “hey, provide me three more hours to be pastoral” is a short-sighted effort to solving the real dilemna.  Spirituality, practicing God’s presence, and ultimately fulfilling the role of pastor is a lifestyle that must be ingrained through healthy habits in order to be vibrant.  Yes the organization can provide structure to enhance or fuel this reality, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the individual.

The final word was, “lead as you desire to be led.”  In other words, model the priorities and the passions that you would desire to see run throughout the organization.

What think you?

~ by Lee Coate on June 3, 2008.