My personal gospel plan
Today I had lunch with someone under 35! And not only that, she’s American, and in seminary, and close by (and probably reading this, so I’ll stop here). Anyways, the direction of our conversation led me again to consider the following quote from Eugene Peterson’s book, “Under the Unpredictable Plant.”
Peterson uses the story of Jonah to discuss his formation as a pastor:
The pastor does not belong in the “religious” ship, the Tarshish-destined ship, and the sooner he or she is thrown overboard, the better off everyone will be. Most religion is not gospel. Most religion is idolatry. Most religion is self-aggrandizement. It is urgently required that pastors distinguish between culture religion and Christian gospel. In the middle of the great storm, John learned the difference (p. 34).
Peterson goes on to write of ways in which the pastor can distinguish between religion and gospel, sharing what practices Peterson finds particularly helpful in his ministry.
At lunch, I found that the conversation with another intern in a similar situation to me, helped me reflect on this distinction between religion and gospel. So often when we are in the midst of something, when our pay checks and personal comfort depends on our support of “religion” rather than “gospel,” we settle, we roll-over and give up the fight.
These experiences suggest how important it is for pastors to setup checks and balances in their lives of service to keep their ministry fresh–gospel driven rather than religion. Too many pastors I know burn out, and after years of ministry, settle for what’s comfortable, for what they’ve always done, for what is easiest rather than taking the gospel risks to which they once aspired.
As I prepare for full-time ordained ministry, here’s a few checks and balances that might help me refuse to settle.
- Study the bible. I don’t mean just reading it for fun, or planning a sermon, but continuing real and difficult study.
- Take vacations…all of them. The phrase is, “work hard, play hard” not “work hard, work hard.
- If I can’t recall the last date night with Megan, plan one immediately.
- Stay up-to-date on the work of other churches, especially those beyond my denomination.
- Enjoy friends outside of the church–yes, they will exist.
- Keep reading fiction for fun. It expands the mind and settles the heart.
- Find a weekly group for frisbee, football, soccer, or golf. I won’t do it on my own.
- Worship God. If leading worship makes it difficult to worship, find a service in another congregation.
- Pray.
- Develop bonds with colleagues.
- Phone friends, not just email.
Will I do all these perfectly? Heck no. Must I do most to become a good pastor? Absolutely.
Image of Reverend Shepherd by Gabrielle Nowicki used by permission.
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I was reading my recent Sojourners magazine yesterday and was reminded how quickly American Christians identify first with America and then second with Jesus. Our national identify is our ‘culture religion’ which we grab onto more readily than the ‘gospel.’
One thing that can help us against that is to establish relationships with Christians around the Globe (which I persume you are doing in Scotland!) as a way to remind ourselves and hear from other voices that American policies may not be congruent with the Christian gospel.
The whole conference was on the theme of mission, and was very challenging – lots of food for thought. Would love to meet for coffee and a chat. Am fairly flexible (apart from Friday when I am in one of the local schools) so please do get in touch. I’ll add you as a friend on Facebook – email details are there and also easier to communicate than via blog.
Great pointers and very insightful checklist. One other thing I got out of our lunch conversation was that all too often we can find ourselves feeling like “the only one” in our own situation, and it is communion with other people that we share this world with where we will find support and encouragement because we are NOT alone in our feelings. Jesus didn’t mean for communion to happen once a month. He wanted us to learn to talk to each other and love each other. Thanks for ‘breaking bread’ wth me!
Powerful reminder of what I need to keep going back to – Gospel, not religion. Thank you for this post!
One thing I wondered, if we aren’t worshipping when we lead worship, what are we doing? I think we get a lot out of being part of something we’re not responsible for, but I find alarm bells going off about ‘leading worship makes it difficult to worship’ – is that not an example of religion triumphing over gospel in our lives?
I write that as someone who is too aware of frequently falling into the trap of ‘doing the job’ instead of drawing near to God.
Thanks again for challenging my heart
Mike
Thanks for the reminder, Mike.
I certainly agree that when leading worship one should try one’s very best to worship God as well, and if we have a wholistic view of worship as more than just the hour of corporate worship on Sunday, then it’s hard not to worship while “in worship.”
However, it’s been my experience that in some worship events outside my control but for which I am also taking a leadership role, true meaningful life-giving worship becomes very difficult for me. Sometimes one needs just to say the response to the prayers rather than worrying how each petition is intimated.
So yes, I agree with you. But in our broken world, I’m trying to anticipate difficulties as well.