Can I be a Pastor?

I spent a good deal of my time in my early adult years asking myself that question. Other people asked the question along with me, and some asked it even of themselves. I had friends who decided they couldn't be a pastor, and they went on to do amazing, generous and helpful things as positive stewards in God's world. I had other decide they could be a pastor, and they have joined me over the years in this vocation. Can I be a pastor?

To be fair, a great many people wondered how I was ever going to be a pastor. Most assumed I was joking. And my lifestyle, to this day, pushes many of the pre-conceived notions people have of pastors. (I must admit the influx of Gen-Xers and Millennials and their lifestyles into professional ministry have lessened the strangeness of my lifestyle choices. I mean, I once had someone evaluate me and one of their critiques was I wore cowboy boots to an interview, even though they knew I was living in Austin, TX. And you wonder why the church was shrinking...)

Being a pastor, much like being a Christian, boils down to about 3 things: being authentic to who God created you; being faithful, yet creative in whenever God calls you; and seeking to help others. Clearly this list is not exhaustive, and there is more to be a pastor than just these qualities; however, without these qualities everything else that might go into being a pastor doesn't really "steward the mysteries" as Paul says.

Let's start with "seeking to help others." Being a pastor is a practical occupation. That is, you are trying to have practical, realistic, pragmatic impact on the lives of people and communities. William James and all the pragmatic philosophers relish the practicality of pastors. Even a pastor who never steps foot out of his or her office is more practical than many others professions "of the mind." That is because, primarily, you are responsible for the practicality of your thought. It is only as people can access, use, and apply your thoughts that one is being a pastor. Let me show you what I mean...

In 451 CE in a town named Chalcedon, the Church declared that Jesus Christ was of 2 natures in 1 person.(Council of Chalcedon) This definition, known commonly as the "Chalcedonian Definition" is pretty important to most Christians of the world. And most Christians of the world use this definition all the time, and you have too, even if this is the first time you've ever heard of it. The Chalcedonian Definition is central to how we worship Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ of God.

Jesus did some pretty human things over the course of his life here on earth. He did things all humans have, and everything about him was completely human. He was so human that he even died. But he is also God. And can do all the things God can do. He's both because the Bible seems to say he's both.

But this is hard to believe. But we do. Every time your pray to Jesus to deliver you from evil, or sin, or death, or the devil, or anything you are making 3 assumptions:
1) Jesus is worthy to pray to. In other words, he's God
2) Jesus understands what you're asking for. In other words, he's human.
3) It's the same Jesus in assumptions 1 and 2.

Christians make these assumptions every time they pray in Jesus' name. And those three assumptions are the Chalcedonian Definition.

This is where being a pastor comes into play. Knowing the Chalcedonian Defintion is not going to do much for you, but using it to help you guide your prayers might. If you're struggling in a situation what do you need from God? Praying to Jesus will ensure that God hears what you need. And all the emotions, feelings, thoughts, and attitudes that are swirling around in you, how can God possibly understand? Jesus does. And Jesus will ensure that God understands your unique situation.

Pastors focus on the prayers and praying part of our spiritual life. There is a huge and deep doctrinal, and in the case of the Chalcedonian Definition, dogmatic tradition that underlies these spiritual practices. Pastors are professionals in these spiritual practices, and have an inkling, at least, of their deeper theological importance. But it's the praying that matters to pastors most.

So for this week, if you ask can I be a pastor? Ask first, if you want to help.

May your tables be full and your conversations be true.