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Prophetic, preacher, pastor: How to classify a clergy

By The Rev. Alexander Jalso 4 min read

Scripture reading: 2 Tim. 2:1-13. Text: “Share in the troubles we have like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. A soldier wants to please the enlisting officer, so no one serving in the army wastes time with everyday matters. Also an athlete who takes part in a contest must obey all the rules in order to win. The farmer who works hard should be the first person to get some of the food that was grown.” 2 Timothy 2:3-6. We are continuing our series of meditation on church life. As in every given predicament, each party sees the problems and solutions through his or her own eyes. Please think of the politicians and taxpayers, teachers and students, physicians and patients, merchants and customers. Likewise, in the church the clergy and the faithful have different opinions about the roots of the problems and ways of the remedies. We should agree that both, church members and clergy alike should receive appreciation they deserve as well as be aware of their shortcomings and mistakes.

APOSTLE PAUL’S INSTRUCTION AND ADMONITION TO TIMOTHY. Please see our text.

Let us observe how Apostle Paul used the occupations as examples in the ministry that people were familiar with in his time, namely the soldier: “like a good soldier” a sportsman: “an athlete who takes part in a contest” and a farmer: “farmer who works hard.” Following Apostle Paul style, we wish to see how we can characterize the ministry today. We know that generalization is wrong, and people will not fall into given categories. It is the general pattern we wish to pay attention to.

WHAT IS YOUR CLERGY? A PROPHET, PRIEST, PASTOR, PR MAN, FRIEND, COUNSELOR, MANAGER?

A clergy should be a serious, respected, almost a holy person, above the crowd.

As God’s servant he/she should represent the divine, the heavenly, and the spiritual.

The faithful should look up to him/her, and he/she should live an exemplary life. The hardest sermon is not preached but lived. How can someone be serious, respected, and above the crowd and yet not becoming isolated or detached from the realities of life?

For the younger generation the image of the clergy is just the opposite. They wish to have a friend, a buddy, a nice chap, a person with good sense of humor, who is willing to participate in their activities and being involved in their projects.

To present uplifting and interesting sermons the clergy should know the Bible, psychology for counseling, what is going on in the world and have a well-rounded general education. Today so many graduated from college – some with master’s degree – and they expect to hear sermons that are up to par with their knowledge in science.

A good clergy is a reconciler, arbitrator, negotiator, and troubleshooter. Last week we dealt with conflicting interests, various views, and unique personalities people reveal even in the church. An old colleague told me jokingly: Blessed is that congregation where only two factions are pitted against each other. Have you ever tried to solve a controversial issue? Can we remain united after a crucial and divisive vote?

A talented clergy is a good business manager, fund-raiser and financial expert. To keep the budget in balance, support the mission, maintain the buildings, contribute toward local and denominational charity require financial acumen. Special projects like dinners, bake and hoagie sales, bazaars and picnics are often good revenues to build up the treasury. Many have good ideas how to spend but no suggestion how to earn.

Is it easy (or possible) to be simultaneously faithful and successful, spiritual and popular, serving God and satisfying people, not asking for donation all the time but giving whenever requested, being above the world yet being on the same level with the people, maintain freedom as well as perfect harmony in the congregation? Again, an old fellow pastor’s comment: The first year, idolize; second year, criticize; third year, scandalize; and the fourth year, ostracize.

If a clergy is blessed to serve in a peaceful and cooperative congregation, he/she has one of the best positions available, however, if there are bickering, misunderstanding and strife among the church members, then lots of love, patience and prayers are required to survive. Apostle Paul had offered this advice also to Timothy: “Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching, . . .” 2 Timothy 4:2. After he/she has done this, will the faithful still like him/her?

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.

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