A number of years ago someone pointed me to David Hayward, a.k.a. Naked Pastor. If my memory serves me correctly, and at my age that is a risk to trust, David began writing about his own wrestling and struggling while pastoring. Now, David teaches English as a second language and is a cartoonist. You should consider picking up his book. Here is a recent post I really liked, “Fidelity or Zealotry.”
People, especially church-y people, find it difficult when pastors show a human side. Pastors and church-y people often suffer from the same malady – idealism. Pastors look for the perfect church and become disillusioned with it all when one cannot be found. Church-y people look for the perfect pastor and become disillusioned with it all when one cannot be found. The “Elephant” in the room is the reality we are all on our way to transformation. Sadly, the elephant rarely gets talked about and worse crowds both pastors and church-y people out of the room.
I am not sure of the long story behind Wandering Shepherd. The truth is there are hundreds who could write something similar. So, here is another voice from the “pulpit” side of the exchange. Those of you who pastor will likely resonate with some of what you read. Those of you who have a pastor will read someone willing to talk about the inner life of the pastor and how he or she deals with the normal parish relationships.
Go over and give it a read. Come back and tell me what you think.
Thanks so much for a kind post. I still call myself a pastor, since some people still call me theirs. But it is a journey for sure. Thanks again.
David,
Thanks for stopping by. I have enjoyed your book. And, I am certain you are still a pastor. You likely pastor many you don’t even know.
I like the Wandering Shepherd. The Naked Pastor is like that fried-egg cartoon on his site: he’s done.
I hope the Wandering Shepherd’s congregation doesn’t find his blog, we both know how messy that could get for him. Still, I like what he’s posting and can soooooo resonate with it. Thanks for sharing it.
Bo,
If Wandering’s congregation should fund his writing, maybe they will surprise us all and take the reflections as an occasion to live into a healthier shape the continuing to plod along as though they have reached the “ideal.”
Todd,
I need to apologize to the Naked Pastor because I feel bad for summarizing his blog so unkindly. (As soon as I find his email, I’ll drop him a note.) I should have said something like, “Wow, he sure is miffed at the church, whereas the other blog seems kinder.”
Eeeek. I acted like some of my church folk act to me when they’re upset.
Bo
Todd–
Thanks for the kind review and link to my blog. It has been good to have a place to vent. We will see if it continues in a healthy manner. I hope it can. 🙂
Bo–I am confident if my church found out, E would have me for lunch and his wife would have me move on. 🙂
Thanks for sharing these Todd! I just subscribed to both.
Natalie,
I think you will enjoy. Hope the new job is going well. And, hoping and praying you and Manuel get some good news.
Thank you – we just wish the process would move a little faster. The job is going really well – thanks for asking!
Natalie,
At great risk of painful reminders, I want you to remember there are many “here” and “there” who are quite proud of you.