Thursday, October 02, 2008

The Pastor as a Gift

I teach a morning Bible class in which we are going through the different topics covered in "The Lutheran Difference" series by CPH. The current topic: Law and Gospel. Today's lesson talked about the application of the Word--Preaching, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. I was trying to make the point about the Pastor as a Gift, the whole "Gospel Guy," or "Absolution Man" idea. This is the idea that God has given the church pastors to ensure that God's people would be given the Word, that is, Christ.

So here's my question: How do you teach this without sounding like you are blowing your own horn?

One approach is to affirm my senior. But there I am, trying not to talk about myself, but to focus on the office. But then, there I am, the guy (or one of the guys) in the office in this place, and it is difficult not to sound like I'm puffing myself up.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

1 comment:

Billy said...

Let me share my perspective as a member of several of the classes you've offered: Not once have you ever sounded as though you were "blowing your own horn". Your training and calling to serve the congregation, like any God-given blessing, IS a gift.

Sometimes a gentle reminder does a lot of good.

Anna and I absolutely see the gift that we have in the role that your ministry plays in our life. You do an excellent job of putting the emphasis of the "Pastor as a Gift" on the ways in which you serve NOT on YOU as a person in that position. This Christ-like servitude act as a model and a service.