tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post3884523376319473038..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: A 12 Step for ClergyPastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-13672979688872724102011-06-03T15:45:16.583-05:002011-06-03T15:45:16.583-05:00>>the phrase that stabbed me in the heart wa...>>the phrase that stabbed me in the heart was the one about Sunday afternoon, "after the charade is over."<<<br /><br />I'm not a pastor, but I know and work with a few pastors who think of Sundays as the charade. <br /><br />Unfortunately (and perhaps this is why some pastors don't want to be known as one), there are still far too many in congregations who wish to put pastors on a pedestal, who believe that the pastor is better, holier and more Godly than they are. <br /><br />I used to believe it and now that I've figured out that they aren't, I notice when others still do believe it.<br /><br />Some lay people also see Sunday as a day of charades; I know I do. I've spent months away from church at a time because it felt wrong to be there if I couldn't at least fake being happy, nevermind actually feeling happy. When I do go, it can be almost painful to keep the happy face on long enough to get through the service and the visiting on the way out after.cassanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-29514840248087009992011-05-31T08:44:00.989-05:002011-05-31T08:44:00.989-05:00In the first century, most people wore a 'hima...In the first century, most people wore a 'himation' over their tunics. The himation was a rectangular garment that was wrapped around the upper body. The designs on the himation, as well as its color and quality, varied depending on the wearer’s sex, occupation, and social status (hence the fringe of Jesus' himation helped identifiy him as a Rabbi). Because of the relatively precarious way it was worn and the way it hindered movement, people had to remove it when they were engaged in certain physical activities. For example, when blind Bartimaeus ran to Jesus in Mark 10:46-52, he threw off his himation. Matthew 9:20-22 tells about a woman who was healed when she touched the hem of Jesus’ himation. In Revelation 3:5, 3:18, and 4:4 people are given white himatia.<br />Jesus’ tunic would have been sleeveless and ankle length—it was similar to the tunic that the high priest wore when he entered into the Holy of Holies to atone for the sins of the people.Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-22454918199275771202011-05-30T07:46:38.442-05:002011-05-30T07:46:38.442-05:00Wow! Quite the stir. So why not add more fuel to ...Wow! Quite the stir. So why not add more fuel to the fire?<br />The apostles - at least the "apostle to the Gentiles" did wear clerical garb. He was a Pharisee of high order, a leader. Yet not everyone knew his face. How did everyone always know to listen to him and invite him to speak - even places he'd never been before - if not for some way to recognize him according to dress? Maybe his friends that accompanied him ran around saying, "This is Paul, he's going to be great: you gotta listen to him!" Or maybe he sent out "meet and greet" Sunday bulletins a few weeks prior so the local pagan and Jewish leaders knew that they were going to be visited by THE apostle Paul. Or maybe there was something else that everyone could immediately recognize as official - even if they were unsure of the actual meanings - maybe a cloak, a hat, a fringe... you know, a uniform, like the one Jesus wore as a Rabbi; or was the "fringe" of his garment - the one soldiers gambled over, his woven, seemless garment - that the bleeding woman held onto just a tag line meaning "the end of his clothes"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-44227959636850673932011-05-29T21:28:35.674-05:002011-05-29T21:28:35.674-05:00the phrase that stabbed me in the heart was the on...the phrase that stabbed me in the heart was the one about Sunday afternoon, "after the charade is over." (*wince*.) it would appear that Brother Peters has our number...none of us are exempted from what he said. By design.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-73314176824725935262011-05-29T18:03:31.174-05:002011-05-29T18:03:31.174-05:00Did the Jews were the distinctive attire of their ...Did the Jews were the distinctive attire of their faith? Were the apostles Jewish? Were their clothes that were symbolically significant from Jesus? What about the seamless robe of Christ (aka chasubel)?Lurkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-1047551416518522822011-05-29T16:02:08.176-05:002011-05-29T16:02:08.176-05:00Did the Apostles wear clerical garb?Did the Apostles wear clerical garb?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-37897806612567446742011-05-29T13:04:22.130-05:002011-05-29T13:04:22.130-05:00Anonymous #3 is not me but I would certainly agree...Anonymous #3 is not me but I would certainly agree with what he posted. Christians do not flaunt their freedom against the OT but use that as a starting point -- we wear vestments not because we want to or are free to choose what feels good to us but because the Gospel's righteousness is surely NOT less than the requirement of the OT. Though this was not about vestments but about that which outwardly and clearly identifies the Pastor as the Pastor, it makes me wonder if vestments are a bigger deal for those who shun them than they are for those who wear them. Just a thought.Pastor Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-34712852785565890392011-05-29T11:57:02.201-05:002011-05-29T11:57:02.201-05:00If I recall correctly the first Christians actuall...If I recall correctly the first Christians actually tried to worship in their synagogues until they got kicked out and had to worship in their homes. They had vestments in the synagogues...what evidence it there that suggests the early Christians did away with the vestments when they started worshiping in their homes?Dixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08511317203353075644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-78852126956462084522011-05-29T08:06:21.272-05:002011-05-29T08:06:21.272-05:00To Anon #3(aka Pastor Peters)
The Old Testament C...To Anon #3(aka Pastor Peters)<br /><br />The Old Testament Ceremonial Laws<br />for worship/vestments do not apply<br />to New Testament Christians.<br /><br />In the Book of Acts the early church<br />met in homes and the worship leaders<br />were not vested. But then you know<br />that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-65855547474530900152011-05-29T04:58:25.122-05:002011-05-29T04:58:25.122-05:00Ah, anonymous... again you have missed the point.....Ah, anonymous... again you have missed the point... it is not WHAT you wear but the REFUSAL to be identified as a Pastor...<br /><br />Funny how folks think that God looks at outward things for other reasons but surely only looks at the heart...<br /><br />Reconcile that with the restrictions and directions God placed upon worship and the vestments of the priests in the Old Testament!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-85949324305235192052011-05-28T22:46:05.186-05:002011-05-28T22:46:05.186-05:00Step One. We admitted we were powerless over the ...Step One. We admitted we were powerless over the Office of the Holy Ministry, that our lives had become unmanageable.<br /><br />I must be missing the part in the NT where Jesus either tells his Apostles to be sure to adopt a dress where they were recognisable as such, or to be sure to blend in with everyone else.Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-58031164812555747982011-05-28T15:25:06.538-05:002011-05-28T15:25:06.538-05:00Anonymus, who was it who said, "The only thin...Anonymus, who was it who said, "The only thing in my heart is cholesterol and sin?" Nobody's motives (no matter how sincere we think we are) are pure. Maybe the clericals are a good way for a pastor to be reminded of just who he is, and Whom he represents.<br /><br />It's the sheep that all look alike, and are dumb. The undershepherd certainly doesn't look like his flock.Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-81106825164572669822011-05-28T14:04:34.904-05:002011-05-28T14:04:34.904-05:00I'll bring the beer. Hey Larry, did I ever tel...I'll bring the beer. Hey Larry, did I ever tell you about the brother who wore his clericals to judge a cow-chip throwing contest? I was really offended by that until I went to my first Synod convention. One thing about being a pastor, you never have to worry about taking yourself too seriously, there's always someone around who is more than willing to do it for you.Rev. Allen Bergstrazernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-78019403386752366372011-05-28T12:43:02.447-05:002011-05-28T12:43:02.447-05:00Hi, my name is Larry. I am a
poor, miserable sinn...Hi, my name is Larry. I am a<br />poor, miserable sinner. Despite that<br />condition I have been called into<br />the Holy Ministry. As a redeemed child of God I am saint and sinner<br />at the same time. My calling is to<br />preach and teach the Word and <br />administer the Sacraments. The means<br />of grace changed my life and it can<br />change yours. You are invited to<br />join our parish this Sunday to learn<br />about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-22268667878290086092011-05-28T11:47:36.692-05:002011-05-28T11:47:36.692-05:00What does a pastor wear? A clean
suit with shirt a...What does a pastor wear? A clean<br />suit with shirt and tie? A clerical<br />collar with black shirt and sport<br />coat? It does not really matter<br />to our Good Shepherd what the <br />shepherds of HIS flocks wear?<br />Christ looks at the heart to see<br />if our motives are to serve Him or<br />to serve self. 1 Timothy chapter 3<br />is concerned about the character of<br />the pastor not his clothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com