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| Plaza Italia Santiago |
To my brothers and sisters in Chile....
You have been very much in my thought and prayers ever since I returned to my home. It has been very frustrating trying to keep up with all that has happened with so little in the US press. I have longed to be with you. It appears that we are seeing a dawn of new hope and possibility for your country and people. I pray that it be so. I feel very blessed to have been able to be present and a witness in this historic moment.
A few weeks ago, wrote a piece on "The Pastor in Time of Struggle." On reflection, it has occurred to me that during the days following 9-11 and Occupy Wall Street, I was blessed to be in full-time ministry as a called congregational pastor. There was no conflict between my work and my ministry as my ministry was my work. I would add parenthetically, in times like these it takes discernment to understand the difference between my pastoral role related to my church in times of struggle and my personal interest. These are not always aligned. Let me add that one also needs to take into account the needs of one's family during such times as well and make time to be present with loved ones. It is very easy in times of tumult to be consumed by the moment.
As I think of my friends in Chile, I realize that most do not have the luxury of full time ministry. Most are "tentmakers" as other work is required to keep body and soul together. Let me add that this is increasingly the case in the United States as well within the historic protestant (evangelical) denominations. For example, over half of New York City Presbytery's 95 congregations do not have installed pastors. The classes I teach at the Newark School of Theology are made up of working people who much as at CTE can only attend classes at night. This is increasingly the case at New York Theological Seminary as well. So we must address the question as to how to responsibly pastor in times of crisis while fulfilling preexisting responsibilities.
I have several thoughts. FIrst,as we saw in Chile, there will be moments where the whole society steps away from daily life and makes a stand, like on a day of "general strike." Clearly, on such a day there is not a conflict.
But on other days in extended times of struggle, one has to balance demands. We return to the idea of capacity, what is within your capacity, timewise and otherwise, to do. Use already existing time set aside for parish work and make the focus and theme the struggle. Fort example, if the congregation has a weekly Bible study, seek to discover together and share with one another what the Bible has to say about what we are facing. Likewise use established prayer times to join together for focused intentional prayer. The weekly Sunday service can also be understood and celebrate contextually with time before and after the service used for strategy conversations and what will be done next. The point is before seeking "the second mile,"explore and utilize what you already have available.
This also calls for the practice of the "priesthood of all believers." Our tradition has "teaching elders," "ruling elders" and "deacons." There are no hierarchies to these ordinations. Beyond the ordained officers of the church, each member has a ministry given to them at baptism, even preceding any ordained calling. An important aspect of the work of the minister, in partnership with the members, is helping each discover their own call. Sometimes the most appropriate form of leadership is to do the work of organizing. That is after discerning where the community is being led, dividing up and sharing the work with tine set aside for sharing reflections on what we have experienced. Special attention must be given to finding opportunities for communal witness.
As clergy can wear identifying clothing, ie, clerical collars, during public manifestations, we can think about how to clearly identify non-clerical Christian witnesses as well. This can be something as simple as a t-shirt simply but clearly labelled.
I was moved to learn of the actions of a congregation in Providencia. At first, they has been well removed from the center of action. But inevitably manifestation came their way. Let us say there was no consensus of understanding in the congregation as well. In fact some sharply divided opinion. The pastor organized the congregation to set up a water table to give "..a cup of cool water in Jesus' name.." to parched protestors. Congregants wore homemade t-shirts expressing the love of Christ for all and identifying the congregation. In this way the congregation could express an active engaged presence as Christians with no other ideological content.
Each of us as pastors has our own particular and unique gifts. No one of us can do everything. But each of us must do something, whatever is most appropriate to us. We must also in extraordinary times be willing to take a bold step when that is called for as we seek to serve as the risen body of Christ in the midst of the struggle.
May the Holy Spirit sustain you during these days...I am always ready to work with you as U can...
Peace and power...
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Brashear,
New York City
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