tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post3810275426564200424..comments2024-03-29T04:31:15.219-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Which job description?Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-5379138538859305102011-11-21T10:55:32.467-06:002011-11-21T10:55:32.467-06:00This is a very valid Concern, I'm glad I saw t...This is a very valid Concern, I'm glad I saw the link on Google+. There are many pastors who believe that the Pastoral ministry is a 9-5 job that as long as I preach, teach, and administer the Sacraments according to right teaching thats all it takes. <br /><br />This is myopic, and I have seen it used to cover up failings, like not going out to visit the sick or to actually tell people about Jesus, because their responsibility is done as long as they are faithful inside the walls of the Church. But the Word of God matters outside the walls of a Building, Theology isn't just Christology, it is ontological reality for all creation and the sooner we can express that, the better equipped we will be to evangelize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-50399819845088647592011-11-20T20:32:25.163-06:002011-11-20T20:32:25.163-06:00I have found in my limited experience that the key...I have found in my limited experience that the key to receiving feedback is the time spent in visitation: be it with shut ins, the sick, the hospitalized, and with members in their homes.<br /><br />While Oratio, Meditatio, and Tentatio rightly take place in the study of the pastor, when this occurs when you are with fellow Christians, it brings a greater depth to the entire pastoral vocation.<br /><br />Even when you hear things which might not be in complete harmony (or even conflict) with what Scripture teaches a pastor is to be doing, the feedback is still helpful as it identifies what people are thinking and opens up opportunities for catechesis.mlorfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03138561905418684851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-58064724013553504932011-11-19T14:44:59.086-06:002011-11-19T14:44:59.086-06:00A pastor who humbly submits his
ministry to the Lo...A pastor who humbly submits his<br />ministry to the Lord and allows<br />himself to be used as the Lord's<br />servant will be blessed.<br /><br />Pastors are tempted to be people-<br />pleasers as well as CEO's. However,<br />the steady and consecrated pastors<br />rely on the Lord to empower their<br />ministry. The laity can spot the<br />phony facade of a man on an ego trip<br />who abuses his God-given authority.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-70544913481927636132011-11-19T10:09:04.246-06:002011-11-19T10:09:04.246-06:00Pastors have an incredibly difficult job, and all ...Pastors have an incredibly difficult job, and all of them deserve our respect for even trying, regardless of how well we may think they are doing.<br /><br />Yes, there's the way it is, and there's the way it is. That happens in other "jobs" too though. I think the problem with the other way it is, is not that it isn't formalised, but that it doesn't happen at all. Kind of like nobody telling you your fly is open.<br /><br />God can have some surprises though. I remember when my wife was in the hospital in her last months, our parish was in the middle of a call and a visiting pastor came by. She thought his manner at services and preaching was too stiff and formal and didn't care for him. When he showed up I though this is the last guy I would pick to help her prepare for death. Later she would say how helpful his visits were and she was ready. Amazing. He didn't even use the prop of a collar; he was just true to his call.<br /><br />The new pastor arrived just before she died. First call, right out of sem. He handled the situation of a wife and mom of small kids dying, and the funeral, like he had fifty years of experience of which he actually had none. Just true to his call.<br /><br />The preaching, teaching, studying and praying are important indeed, but as you say, not the real "job description". Just as evangelism can get messed up when it's handled like a sales campaign, parish life can get messed up when it's handled like a corporate world hierarchy.Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-59924037091210968872011-11-19T06:26:10.421-06:002011-11-19T06:26:10.421-06:00I believe nothing could be better than for congreg...I believe nothing could be better than for congregation members to come up directly and say to the pastor, "Here is our problem, or here is where we think you are lacking". Written evaluations don't come up to that level. A District President should be very<br />wary of any evaluation that comes without the people engaging in conversation with the pastor first.Ted Badjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220879004715648795noreply@blogger.com