"For all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
Violence creates violence.
We may use violence to try to solve problems or end confrontations. We labor under the mistaken impression that we can control ourselves and the outcomes of our violence (violence of all types--mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.). We think that we will be able to apply "just the right amount" of violence and wield the sword justly.
But, we cannot remove the sword without drawing blood. And the drawing of blood is a terrible thing.
We cannot wield the sword justly and, instead, only end up reproducing violence throughout our lives. It prospers in the confusion and fear inherent to violence.
The true challenge becomes learning to accept suffering and pain, as an act of love, so that the cycle can be broken. In other words, the challenge is to learn to live and respond like Jesus who loved his enemies so much he could not bear to hurt them.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A Closed Door
To the World,
I'm looking for a ministry job. I'll be graduating soon and have grown accustomed to eating three meals every day. I know it's a luxury but it's one that I'm not yet willing to give up.
I've been working at a church as a youth minister while going to school and really been working very hard. The church I'm at, "XBC," is great. They're kind. They're really starting to knit together in a relational and communal way. They like me. I like them. My wife and I are comfortable here and we thought, about a year ago, that they would most definitely offer me a full-time position upon my graduation. I was looking forward to continuing to work with the pastor.
But, I found out today that the long and perilous route to the city of "full-time-employment-at-XBC" is, truly, a narrow road.
The finance, personnel, and deacon committees met and agreed that they really wanted to keep me. I was excited. The congregation had expressed a desire for me to continue on. The Youth wanted me to stay. They tried to come up with some creative ways to deal with the elephant-in-the-room.
Their giving hasn't caught up to their growth.
So, money was going to be an issue. Their compensation package was going to be lower ($5000 to $10000 lower) if they could even afford to offer it. I was still interested in staying for a variety of reasons. But, they made their decision recently:
They can't afford it.
So, they're going to write a nice letter that says that they affirm me in my ministry and really wish that I could stay but that, at this time, they cannot afford to offer me a full-time position.
I'm hurting a little. It's not easy to watch a door close. I'm reminding myself about God's guidance and will but I might need some time to grieve before it will all sink in and be acceptable.
I have other offers and I'm not really worried about getting hired (at least, not much). I wasn't even sure that I was going to be able to stay if they made the offer since I felt pulls and calls in other places. Plus, I've been expecting the shoe to drop for quite a while.
It doesn't make it easier. These are still my brothers, sisters, and family.
So, I'm a little afraid. I'm looking at graduating, moving to another place, and likely beginning the long slow process of relationship and community building. There is one particular location that I would love to be. I've been talking to some churches in that area but I'm not feeling very encouraged by the results. Sometimes I find myself wondering if I have the energy to continue to live far away from home and move without going home.
The life of a minister is, sometimes, a life of a stranger in a strange land. If the response of the Jewish people was: "A wandering Aramean was my father" then perhaps my only response can be: "A crucified and homeless King is my Lord."
Hoping and Despairing,
Rev. Honesty
I'm looking for a ministry job. I'll be graduating soon and have grown accustomed to eating three meals every day. I know it's a luxury but it's one that I'm not yet willing to give up.
I've been working at a church as a youth minister while going to school and really been working very hard. The church I'm at, "XBC," is great. They're kind. They're really starting to knit together in a relational and communal way. They like me. I like them. My wife and I are comfortable here and we thought, about a year ago, that they would most definitely offer me a full-time position upon my graduation. I was looking forward to continuing to work with the pastor.
But, I found out today that the long and perilous route to the city of "full-time-employment-at-XBC" is, truly, a narrow road.
The finance, personnel, and deacon committees met and agreed that they really wanted to keep me. I was excited. The congregation had expressed a desire for me to continue on. The Youth wanted me to stay. They tried to come up with some creative ways to deal with the elephant-in-the-room.
Their giving hasn't caught up to their growth.
So, money was going to be an issue. Their compensation package was going to be lower ($5000 to $10000 lower) if they could even afford to offer it. I was still interested in staying for a variety of reasons. But, they made their decision recently:
They can't afford it.
So, they're going to write a nice letter that says that they affirm me in my ministry and really wish that I could stay but that, at this time, they cannot afford to offer me a full-time position.
I'm hurting a little. It's not easy to watch a door close. I'm reminding myself about God's guidance and will but I might need some time to grieve before it will all sink in and be acceptable.
I have other offers and I'm not really worried about getting hired (at least, not much). I wasn't even sure that I was going to be able to stay if they made the offer since I felt pulls and calls in other places. Plus, I've been expecting the shoe to drop for quite a while.
It doesn't make it easier. These are still my brothers, sisters, and family.
So, I'm a little afraid. I'm looking at graduating, moving to another place, and likely beginning the long slow process of relationship and community building. There is one particular location that I would love to be. I've been talking to some churches in that area but I'm not feeling very encouraged by the results. Sometimes I find myself wondering if I have the energy to continue to live far away from home and move without going home.
The life of a minister is, sometimes, a life of a stranger in a strange land. If the response of the Jewish people was: "A wandering Aramean was my father" then perhaps my only response can be: "A crucified and homeless King is my Lord."
Hoping and Despairing,
Rev. Honesty
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Who Am I?
Like my description points out, I'm an ordained minister. I am male. I am married to a wonderful woman. I am employed as an associate minister at a Baptist congregation. I work, to a large degree, with youth. I have already graduated college. I have my B.A. in Religion. I am getting ready to graduate from school with my Master of Divinity (M.Div). I like to read. I'm complicated but I'm going to try to be honest.
You might know me. You might think you know me. You might not. Regardless, it's okay. I'm not real keen on the idea of being found out because it will take away from my potential for honesty. Over time, I have no doubt that clever people will be able to figure out who I am. You can try to figure it out if you like but it won't be that fun. I'm not going to tell you if you're right and I won't be really surprised or upset. It's your time. Do what you want with it.
I'm searching for a full-time position at a church. Consequently, I'm in the middle of a job search. Many of my early posts will probably deal with that. I've already spoken to multiple churches. I have an suspicion that many non-clergy-church-members (I'm not real fond of the term "layperson" or "laypeople") have no idea what goes into this whole process. It's kinda closed off to people who aren't ministers and aren't going through it. Maybe you can come along for the ride and get an inside look.
Ultimately, that's what I'm hoping to do at this blog: Give you an inside look at the life of a minister and give myself a chance to expose the insides to sunlight.
Transparency is a good thing, right?
Oh yeah, so you know, I'm not a huge fan of the title "Reverend" but am aware that some people are fond of it. Plus, it's pretty easy to pick out as a title for a minister. So, please understand that when I use it to refer to myself I mean it in one of the following ways:
1) Ironically -- I do things that aren't always worth revering... Plus, I'm not all that special and I'm not sure how the title "reverend" works with Matthew 23:8-11:
Peace to you and yours,
+Rev. Honesty
You might know me. You might think you know me. You might not. Regardless, it's okay. I'm not real keen on the idea of being found out because it will take away from my potential for honesty. Over time, I have no doubt that clever people will be able to figure out who I am. You can try to figure it out if you like but it won't be that fun. I'm not going to tell you if you're right and I won't be really surprised or upset. It's your time. Do what you want with it.
I'm searching for a full-time position at a church. Consequently, I'm in the middle of a job search. Many of my early posts will probably deal with that. I've already spoken to multiple churches. I have an suspicion that many non-clergy-church-members (I'm not real fond of the term "layperson" or "laypeople") have no idea what goes into this whole process. It's kinda closed off to people who aren't ministers and aren't going through it. Maybe you can come along for the ride and get an inside look.
Ultimately, that's what I'm hoping to do at this blog: Give you an inside look at the life of a minister and give myself a chance to expose the insides to sunlight.
Transparency is a good thing, right?
Oh yeah, so you know, I'm not a huge fan of the title "Reverend" but am aware that some people are fond of it. Plus, it's pretty easy to pick out as a title for a minister. So, please understand that when I use it to refer to myself I mean it in one of the following ways:
1) Ironically -- I do things that aren't always worth revering... Plus, I'm not all that special and I'm not sure how the title "reverend" works with Matthew 23:8-11:
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant.2) Cryptically -- As you might have noticed, I'm not real keen on revealing who I am. So, I can use the name "Rev. Honesty" to refer to myself. Think of it like a pseudonym ... with a title ... that might be ironic.
Peace to you and yours,
+Rev. Honesty
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