I use to have a beard.
When I was at Seminary studying to be a Pastor I had a beard and I was told stories of other men with beards, men who went into their first parish with beards... only to be told by their flock to shave.
I guess, everyone has expectations of their Pastor.
Everyone has an idea of how their Pastor could do his job better.
When I was at Seminary studying to be a Pastor I had a beard and I was told stories of other men with beards, men who went into their first parish with beards... only to be told by their flock to shave.
I guess, everyone has expectations of their Pastor.
Everyone has an idea of how their Pastor could do his job better.
Some want him to be young. Some want a more experienced chap. Some prefer their Pastor to be strong suited in children's ministry, or young adult, or couples, or singles, etc. Some desire a Pastor who can adequately fill the pews with inspirational sermons, bring in the new programs and ideas, push the envelope of novelty so as to chart the future, spark interest, and scratch the ears of the people.
Yet, more than all these, the one thing people need from their Pastor also happens to be the one thing their Pastor ceaselessly longs to give: Absolution.
While many have sequestered confession and absolution to the realm of corporate worship and neglected to teach the value of private confession and absolution, still absolving sin remains as the chief joy and blessing of the Pastoral Office, as well as the chief need of God’s people.
At the end of the day, despite your Pastor’s age, his skill, his likability, even his hygiene, despite what we want from our Pastor, what we think he should be doing, what we need is for him to act as God’s ears to hear our confession, and as God’s mouth to forgive our sin. We need him to stand in the place of Christ for us, that he might fill our ears with the sweet words of the Gospel. This is what you ought to expect from your Pastor. This is what you ought to break down his door to hear. The absolution of your sins.
While many have sequestered confession and absolution to the realm of corporate worship and neglected to teach the value of private confession and absolution, still absolving sin remains as the chief joy and blessing of the Pastoral Office, as well as the chief need of God’s people.
At the end of the day, despite your Pastor’s age, his skill, his likability, even his hygiene, despite what we want from our Pastor, what we think he should be doing, what we need is for him to act as God’s ears to hear our confession, and as God’s mouth to forgive our sin. We need him to stand in the place of Christ for us, that he might fill our ears with the sweet words of the Gospel. This is what you ought to expect from your Pastor. This is what you ought to break down his door to hear. The absolution of your sins.
“So if there is a heart that feels its sin and desires comfort, it has here a sure refuge where it finds and hears God’s Word because through a human being God looses and absolves from sin.”
“If you are poor and miserable, then go and make use of the healing medicine. Those who feel their misery and need will no doubt develop such a desire for confession that they will run to it with joy.”
Martin Luther - A Brief Exhortation to Confession, 1529 revised edition of the Large Catechism.
Is there any greater joy for a Pastor than to absolve sin?
Is their any greater pleasure than to deliver Christ's forgiveness to those broken and crushed and despairing?
I know not one.
Thanks for reading
Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing sweeter in the world, I agree.
ReplyDelete