| "You've come to
replace Tom," stated the parishioner. It was my first visit to
his home. And it was obvious just how high the member held Pastor
Tom in their esteem. I had served early in my ministry in a church
where I met the former pastor at every turn. I don't mean literally,
of course, but in the remarks of many of the members. Then, I had
served in a congregation where I had a former minister and his wife
in the congregation. We shared a bond that was begun by Brother
Jimmy when he promised me that he would be a friend to me, a
supporter, and a trusted pastor to him. What he said was true, as I
shared in the funeral of his wife a few years later, and then he
became my pastor when my wife had cancer surgery. All of which brings me back to my conversation
with the parishioner. My reply to him and to many others was that I
was not here to replace Tom; that no one could replace their former
minister in their hearts and lives. I hoped I could follow after
him, continuing a faithful ministry begun 11 years before.
I learned after that early pastorate that the
relationships pastors and people cherish are lasting relationships.
A new pastor treads on those relationships at his or her peril. The
best a pastor can do is to affirm those connections and make some
new connections as together pastor and people build the kingdom of
God in a new day.
That's a big part of why I am in ministry. You
see, I learned very early in my educational preparation that I am a
people person. It's not enough to study the books, or write the
sermons, or discuss the fine points of theology. What makes it all
worthwhile is the pastoral relationships of friendship, meaning and
deep personal need. Ultimately, I get the most in ministry out of
the relationships. |
