Why 'Pastor on the Point?'

I've been at Harmony Church only 2 1/2 years.  It feels like longer, since we have been through so much.  We merged two churches in May 2010.  So, some would say we really are a "new" congregation, not two combined old churches (founded in 1908 and 1928 respectively.) When we looked the other day at George Bullard's life cycle chart, most felt we are still between maturity and decline.  Interesting, though: our staff said "Why so pessimistic? No! We are a brand new church!"  

William Ritter shared with his congregation in a sermon, "When a minister stays for a long time, it becomes very tempting (and very easy) to settle into a need-meeting ministry. I'll baptize this one and confirm that one. I'll marry this one and bury that one. I'll counsel this one and console that one. The longer I stay, the better I'll be. I'll see needs faster. People will trust me sooner. And I will have worked with the people so long ... and will know them so well ... that I'll know just what to say. Which will be appreciated at all times ... but especially at funerals. This is how long-term pastorates turn into chaplaincies. And this is how the needs of the flock eventually set the agenda for the shepherd. I'm not knocking it. There is much about it that is good. But this is when ministers stop being leaders. And this is when churches ... even great churches ... begin to die. Although nobody knows it at the time, because everybody is getting their needs met ... which feels quite comfortable."

We live in a time which shape-shifts far too quickly, for any pastor to shift from being a leader to being a chaplain.  Of course, we still have to do the chaplaining and must. But we are here as a church to make new disciples and engage them in changing the world into the kingdom of God.  It's not enough to hang out in the church office, or even in nursing home rooms, meeting church member's needs.  And, we know the paradox of Christian faith is that our own needs are not met unless we are servants meeting the needs of others.  We pastors are not paid the big bucks to find that satisfaction in our own work as an end in itself.  Our job is to empower and equip others to serve.  

Some have asked me, why the title "Pastor on the Point?' I used to be in an outfit called The Ecumenical Institute.  Our logo was a wedgeblade driven left to right across a line.  The line is the present world situation. the point is where we stand, out beyond the present, never sure if we are right or wrong, but doing our best to discern and forge a new future on behalf of those who are disenfranchised, always working to engage them as well in "being on the point." Hope I'm still there.  I try to be.  I pray I am and will be to my dying day.