Ten Propositions on Being a Minister

Once again Kim Fabricius has proven to be importantly provocative. This time turning his focus directly on something I'm intimately connected with -- ministry. These 10, even if we might quibble with one or two are to borrow a bit of British -- "spot on!" I am planning to get permission to reprint this list in Sharing the Practice.

As is my custom I'll post a couple of points and encourage your attendance to Faith and Theology, which is my source. I think I'll start with the first three points:

1. Ministers should be able to lead and to organise, but they are not called to be managers – and woe unto the minister who would run the one, holy, catholic, apostolic – and “efficient” McChurch!

2. Ministers should be able to conduct worship winsomely and to preach intelligently – but woe unto the minister who would be an entertainer or cheerleader – or turn prayer into a “resource.”

3. Ministers should be able to listen, empathise, care, advise, and give spiritual direction, but they are not called to be therapists, let alone life-style coaches – and woe unto the minister who would turn out well-balanced citizens who make the system “work”!

I appreciate the first one -- We're not managers, cogs in the machinery or CEO's, no were worship leaders, teachers, carers for those in need, etc. We're not called to make people ready to fit the system or make the church as efficient as McDonalds.

Being trained as a scholar but finding myself in ministry -- I appreciate his fifth and sixth propositions that encourage clergy to recognize that even if they're not called to be scholars, they remain called to teach and inform!

5. Ministers are not called to be scholars, but they need to rediscover their roles as community theologians (as teachers, not just “facilitators”). Breaking “the strange silence of the Bible in the church” (James Smart), they must ensure that the scriptures are at the centre of congregational life, and that their churches are cultures of learning. They must also ensure that the hermeneutical and ethical tasks are one, shaping character as well as transforming minds.

6. Ministers are not called to be scientists or sociologists, but they should be keen observers of, and articulate commentators on, what is happening in the world, to enable their congregations to engage their faith with their life and work, vigilantly discern the signs of the times, and boldly witness to Christ in the polis.

The rest I'll leave for your reading at Faith and Theology!