The Pastor in Times of Struggle

11/18

Plaza Italia, Santiago

Prepared for my brothers and sisters in Chile...



The Pastor in times of struggle

In the practice of Urban Ministry, and I could say Ministry in any context, I believe it is one of the chief calls of the pastor to exegete the ongoing life of the people of God. It has been said that others make things, but pastors are called to make sense. It's clearly easier said than done. I would like to share some thoughts on how we can be faithful pastors in times of struggle.

1.  Your first call is to be a pastor. That means knowing where your people are. What they're doing. What are your circumstances? What they're thinking and feeling . Be with them. When September 11 happened, we gathered our elders and called every member of our congregation to determine whether they were safe or whether they had missing friends or relatives. Where are your members? Are they home? On the streets? Where are their children? Is everyone all right? Have people been suffering from the destruction of grocery stores? Anybody need food?  Are members with medical problems affected by transport problems to curfews? Can the community take care of others in times of stress?

2. Get people together as soon as possible for an open conversation. Just sharing what's in their minds. What are your hopes at this time ? Your fears? What's stronger? This conversation isn't analytical, it's just listening. Your preaching and teaching will be shaped by what you hear. The night following  9-11, we opened our doors to the entire community. And simply listened. Can you be open to people beyond your membership who simply need to openly share what you are feeling? And of course, you must open and finish each meeting with prayer. The opening is an invitation, the closing offers everything you have heard to God.

3. Can you accompany your people? Are  there any of your people on the streets? Can you go with them? As an individual pastor? You'd be there to walk, not advocate (for or against). Is there a call for you to go to the streets even if you don't have members there? The medical volunteers of the Chilean Red Cross and the Volunteers of the school of Medicine of the University of Chile are visibly identified by the use of red crosses and white coats.  What if the clergy were present wearing clerical collars in case someone had a spiritual crisis? Or just being there as witnesses. I was amazed at the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations that some of the anonymous heroes were the seminary students who were there every day wearing collars. (And even old men like me too. ) Our silent but constant presence was taken very seriously and I was surprised how after learning to trust us, the "occupants" would arrive with deep spiritual questions. What I'm talking about is a witness ... and evangelism ... through the accompaniment. Sometimes I think our failure is actually a reflection of a lack of confidence in what we say we believe. As I have heard in recent days, I have often heard that the church is not relevant to the current struggle because it has not been present.

For years, the presbyterians of the City of New York set up a water table on  5th Avenue during the annual parade of the "Gay Pride", and the march, and gave cups of cold water to the protesters. The signs on the table read."..a glass of cold water in the name of Jesus..."(Matthew 10: 42) Note ... do not advocate any "position", just be present in the name of Jesus.

4. As Presbyterians, we are called to love God with.".. all our heart, all our spirit and all our mind... "it is therefore up to us to honor our call as elder teachers. What are the problems before us? What are the facts?  And that is absolutely important ... so you know the facts ... What are a variety of news sources saying about what's going on? Background? What does our tradition of faith have to say about this or these issues? What do our traditions say now? Are there pastoral letters? Or "open letters" to share? When considering the facts of the matter, what Biblical stories come to mind? How do you interact Bible characters with our history?

The Sunday following the first demonstrations, the lectionary Gospel for Sunday was Luke 17: 11-19, the story of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. The story was filled  with relevant reference to the Chilean existential context. The cry that came out of the street was the widow. We are called to its persistence. But we, in our tradition, are also called to see how we could have been the judge, contributing to the denial of Justice. Invite your people to a disciplined Bible study and reflection on how these stories intersect with your own lives. Let your theological reflection on these times be reflected in your preaching. The same word "Gospel" was a subversive  use of the word from the start.. It was originally used to celebrate the victories of the Roman Empire. Mark's first words announce the inauguration of a countercultural Kingdom, This Is The Gospel of Jesus Christ, not Caesar. Can we honor the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

One of our greatest gifts as Reformed Christians is that we know that no party, political or movement can express the full will of God's mind. Everything will fall short, everyone will need to be responsible for the values we hold as stewards of God's creation....and it is, in the end, always God's creation... it cannot be privatized...we are called to be in critical solidarity with those in power. However, there is always that moment when we must decide to withdraw solidarity, in order to go to resistance. How do we achieve this discernment?

By our tradition, we began studying everything we can. Asking what the Bible says. Asking what our faith has said. What do our friends and allies say? Can we, to the extent of our ability, determine what Jesus would do, because, in the end, that is the appropriate analytical question. Then let us pray with all our might for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Determine what God calls you to do. Or say. Then argue, productivity for what you hear and feel in your heart with all your heart, soul, and mind, and then when you go to bed at night, let yourself wonder if maybe you could be wrong.

Simplify. No congregation can do everything in response.No pastor can do everything I'm suggesting. What are your gifts? What are the existing capacities of your congregation? What is the only thing that God has called you to do and what gifts has he already given you to be about that work? Make sure that your proposed action is a pastoral/congregational is a DEFINABLE, feasible AND MEASURABLE. And follow each action with reflection, and then review.

5. Do not underestimate the power of letting go. Chile has what is called an" open wound " that divides the responses to the current crisis. The pains and wounds of the past are still unresolved. Amnesty doesn't solve them. Forgiveness allows us to live beyond victimization but does nothing to restore the relationship. Reconciliation is a process that both sides must undertake with a commitment to work for the resolution. A Colombian pastor once told me," there is no reconciliation without reconstruction.".. relationships must be rebuilt from the bottom up if reconciliation is to occur.

Some of us will be called to be advocates and prophets. Others may need to be mediators. The church should not be a safe place, but a courageous place where encounter and commitment can take place. Where we go beyond the didactic debate to allow us to share doubts and fears, as well as certainties and perhaps discover mutual regard in our vulnerability. Free to defend, we can discover shared values that lead us to different positions on political issues. When my neighbor priest and I shared the deep values that inspired our decisions on public policy on abortion, we found some deep connections that allowed us to understand each other's position and be allies in other matters. And we are visible brothers in Christ....  Chile, like my own country, needs a deep and comprehensive dialogue. What people are asking of the church! Once again, our Reformed tradition makes us ideal for this role.

5. However, The" which side are you on"moments come. That is when the guidance of the Holy Spirit is essential. And always, always as a community...Christianity is a team sport ... we need each other.

6. Be creative. During Occupy Wall Street, the Jewish congregations celebrated Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the midst of the Occupants of the  Zuccotti Park. (Location of extended occupation..). Voluntary Christian congregations celebrated the Eucharist in the park every Sunday. What liturgical practice could you take to the streets?

Blessings and courage in the struggle....