I constantly asked myself why I'm doing this. I think, like most "ministers" that leave the traditional religious path in favor of a more personal spirituality, the answer would be that we're dissatisfied with what we've found in religion to fulfill our spiritual goals. We have run into hypocrisy, contradiction, and religion that moves more with the political winds than the spiritual.
Some come for a spiffy "title" or to wear a frock that elevates them to an imaginary station; to make them seem like more than they are. Some are predators, creeping through monasteries for any unsuspecting prey. Many are seriously looking for answers, and others are here to truly try and make a difference. This will be the 318th post on The Path and I suppose the publishing of twenty posts a month is evidence of my determination to try and make a difference.
One thing I have learned after sixty years of life - you can't make a difference sitting on the sidelines and keeping your mouth shut. Many of my fellow ministers are content to sit back and watch, or read the posts of others and comment accordingly. But, this doesn't tell us who they are, other than they are critical without risking criticism. Those most critical seem to content to post blasé articles that expound Christ, peace, and love, which isn't a bad thing, but it takes us nowhere new. It's like reading a predictable novel - why would you want to? There are times when what I post helps someone on their own path and it seems what I do is fulfilling. Then, there are occasional times when I feel like beaten dog pooh as I field grief from people that seem to miss the entire point of the post in favor of hammering me for the language or attitude. There is a positive side to this occasional butt whipping, however, and it lies in the majority of my readers that tune in specifically because I don't sugar coat my posts; I tell you just the way I feel, which is, after all, the point. They say it is refreshing to hear someone not bowing to the hypocrisy of political correctness.
I became associated with one female minister who was very trepidatious about writing for public consumption. She loved reading my posts but had concerns about whether she could do as well. It took several of us to convince her, this is not a competition. Her first attempt was marvelous, and she has been posting ever since. You cannot live behind the scenes. The purest water that doesn't move stagnates. By the same token, water that moves away from the rock will never wear it down. We cannot hide from our chosen path, for better or worse, we are upon it. For someone that takes up the mantle of "minister" the responsibility to "put it out there" and take a risk becomes even more important. I think the responsibility of faith, for the spiritual, eventually bodes the question, "Would you die for them, priest?" Well, would you? Christ did, and can we, in good conscience, do less?
Granted, we purchase our ordination. For some this is a joke. Hell, some Catholic priests have diddled little boys, so what in an ordination? Everyone holds themselves to a certain standard. Some online "ministers" are more qualified, through life experience, to minister than those trained in seminary.
I have been putting quotation marks around "minister" for a reason. Defined in Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a "minister" is "a person whose job involves leading church services, performing religious ceremonies (such as marriages), and providing spiritual or religious guidance to other people." A "pastor" is a minister or priest in charge of a church, or a person having spiritual care over a number of persons. In it's most basic definition, a pastor is simply a shepherd. They can take any other egotistical title they wish, but they are simply shepherds. To be serious about your role in clergy would seem diminished when you take a title of "High Poobah" or "Mistress of the Dark." It is even more difficult to be taken seriously when you elevate your ego to the level of Bishop, or Cardinal, without first working your way up the ladder. Titles are all about stroking the ego. I offer the following guidance for those looking for a lofty title:
Note from the founder, author, and editor:
Some come for a spiffy "title" or to wear a frock that elevates them to an imaginary station; to make them seem like more than they are. Some are predators, creeping through monasteries for any unsuspecting prey. Many are seriously looking for answers, and others are here to truly try and make a difference. This will be the 318th post on The Path and I suppose the publishing of twenty posts a month is evidence of my determination to try and make a difference.
One thing I have learned after sixty years of life - you can't make a difference sitting on the sidelines and keeping your mouth shut. Many of my fellow ministers are content to sit back and watch, or read the posts of others and comment accordingly. But, this doesn't tell us who they are, other than they are critical without risking criticism. Those most critical seem to content to post blasé articles that expound Christ, peace, and love, which isn't a bad thing, but it takes us nowhere new. It's like reading a predictable novel - why would you want to? There are times when what I post helps someone on their own path and it seems what I do is fulfilling. Then, there are occasional times when I feel like beaten dog pooh as I field grief from people that seem to miss the entire point of the post in favor of hammering me for the language or attitude. There is a positive side to this occasional butt whipping, however, and it lies in the majority of my readers that tune in specifically because I don't sugar coat my posts; I tell you just the way I feel, which is, after all, the point. They say it is refreshing to hear someone not bowing to the hypocrisy of political correctness.
I became associated with one female minister who was very trepidatious about writing for public consumption. She loved reading my posts but had concerns about whether she could do as well. It took several of us to convince her, this is not a competition. Her first attempt was marvelous, and she has been posting ever since. You cannot live behind the scenes. The purest water that doesn't move stagnates. By the same token, water that moves away from the rock will never wear it down. We cannot hide from our chosen path, for better or worse, we are upon it. For someone that takes up the mantle of "minister" the responsibility to "put it out there" and take a risk becomes even more important. I think the responsibility of faith, for the spiritual, eventually bodes the question, "Would you die for them, priest?" Well, would you? Christ did, and can we, in good conscience, do less?
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."The other group of "ministers" I've run into are the "we're as bad as the people we're trying to escape from" group. These are people that couldn't wait to get away from the overbearing clergy so they could get ordained and become overbearing clergy. They are people that ran from ridiculous rules and tenets so they could hide behind new ridiculous rules and tenets. They tend to shake in their boots every time someone rocks the boat. They go through their lives walking gently and carrying no stick so as not be any threat, even to the evil in our midst. They talk big and cower behind the anonymity of a website where they can be "most popular" members and risk nothing to get there. This is not just the people. Site managers are just as bad if not worse. It is a hard concept for many to grasp that no one stood up for Christ, but many denied him. We cannot let ourselves be silenced when we know the cause is just.
-- John 15:13
Granted, we purchase our ordination. For some this is a joke. Hell, some Catholic priests have diddled little boys, so what in an ordination? Everyone holds themselves to a certain standard. Some online "ministers" are more qualified, through life experience, to minister than those trained in seminary.
I have been putting quotation marks around "minister" for a reason. Defined in Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a "minister" is "a person whose job involves leading church services, performing religious ceremonies (such as marriages), and providing spiritual or religious guidance to other people." A "pastor" is a minister or priest in charge of a church, or a person having spiritual care over a number of persons. In it's most basic definition, a pastor is simply a shepherd. They can take any other egotistical title they wish, but they are simply shepherds. To be serious about your role in clergy would seem diminished when you take a title of "High Poobah" or "Mistress of the Dark." It is even more difficult to be taken seriously when you elevate your ego to the level of Bishop, or Cardinal, without first working your way up the ladder. Titles are all about stroking the ego. I offer the following guidance for those looking for a lofty title:
"And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." Matthew 23:12
"A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor" Proverbs 29:23
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:3-11
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility..." Colossians 3:12
And, my favorite, this one not of the Bible, bringing the rest of the scripture together in one concise thought:
"Pride must die in you, or nothing in heaven can live in you." Andrew MurraySo, why are we ministers? What drives those of us that feel we have a calling to do something more? What are we looking for, and what set us on this path? I wrote the following summation in a post I did last year called "The Roll of Clergy." I think it pertains, as well, to the question of why.
So what is the role of clergy? Those ministers in my group don't know. We are, all of us, searching for answers. We do know that it isn't the abortion of Christ's words that organized religion says it is. It isn't to bilk the faithful out of their life savings so we can live in luxury while they want. We are, regardless of religious or spiritual affiliation, pastors. We are shepherds for our individual faiths and beliefs. We should hold no higher designation, title, or expectation of respect than that of a guide on a tour bus. We are here to assist people along their path, in getting from point A to point B. The rest is up to them. We can't save them, any more than a pope. They have to save themselves. This is the true role of clergy.And, I have to add, in my humble opinion; this should be why one becomes a minister. Will it me on the ferry and get me to the other side of the river Styx? No, probably not. My boat is filling up with "bad" so fast it would be like bailing with a thimble. There comes a time in life when you just have to do the best you can, rescue the women and children first, and go down with the boat. But, I'm taking my obolos coin back from Charon, if I don't make it across.
Note from the founder, author, and editor:
Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, understand that this is just an opinion and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion in this context is a way to incite others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own if they haven’t already done so. It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning them. It is in the arena we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.
Tony Villari, Pastor
Amen my Brother. Amen!
ReplyDeleteDid you ever go by the name Tony "Hit Man" Villari? You'd be good at it judging by your writing, plus you've got the right paternal ancestry it seems. Anyway, I've read two of your blogs so far and really enjoyed them. My dad was a career Air Force pilot making me an Air Force brat... so we're related, right? We lived in Ocean Springs while dad was stationed at Keesler many moons ago. Great place that! Thanks for your continuing service.
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