My dad often says...

As I've been reading through this material about "marketplace ministry" I was reminded of something that my dad says on occasion.

"That pastor's so heavenly minded that he's no earthly good".

For almost all of my adult life I've been married to a pastor so I'll be honest and say that whenever he says that it gets me all riled up. I mean it's pretty hard not to take it personally. I've always taken it as meaning that he feels the "work" a pastor does, doesn't make much of a difference in the real world. That being concerned about spiritual things is great and all for the pastor but real people have real work to get done and most of the time the pastor just gets in the way.

I'm fairly certain that my dad never intended that saying to be misconstrued as a compliment:) BUT in my defensiveness, I've never really stopped to consider where that comment was coming from and if there was any truth to it. This idea of accepting criticism without allowing it to be completely devastating to me is pretty new. It takes practice to actually consider the validity of the idea even though the delivery may be lacking. So today I've been mulling over the idea that my dad just might be onto something...it's not like he hasn't been right in a myriad of other ways over the years!

So, my first question is, "Where is that attitude coming from?". The answer to this question is probably just as important as figuring out whether the attitude is right or wrong. Because I'm not my dad (ok, maybe I'm just a little bit like my dad;), at this point anything I offer in answer to that question would be pure speculation but here goes....

I wonder if this comment is a reflection of the lack of interest, respect, support, affirmation or genuine appreciation that he has received regarding his profession (in this case plumbing and heating) from any of the pastors he's had over the years. I mean we (and in this case I mean people in "paid" ministry) often give lip service to the idea that body is made up all different parts and each one is important but does the ministry of our church or even what we do on Sunday when we meet together as a body of believer's really demonstrate that? I would argue that church is not just a Sunday morning affair, that what happens every other day of the week is vitally important but do the people in my church truly believe that as well? Do the people who make up the local body of believers I worship with and serve with know their work, whether they work in the marketplace or stay home with their children or volunteer their services, know intrinsically that what they do is of great importance because they have been taught that at church?

My dad is great at what he does. He's a fantastic plumber...people pay loads of money for his services. He is respected in his profession and even though he's retired people go to him simply for advice and even pay to consult with him. Despite the confidence he has as a result of his experience and expertise in his profession he feels, and I think I can express this because he's said things like this on many occasions, that he has very little to offer the church. WHAT?!? Here's a capable and accomplished man who thinks that because his talents and gifts don't look as "spiritual" as the pastor's that he's not useful. Oh sure, he may single handedly keep the boiler going at the church with no pay or recognition and he might be the biggest reason the church's camp facility is maintained and functions every year with very few glitches. He might be the person that ANYONE in the church feels free to call if they have a plumbing dilemma. But for some reason he doesn't see doing those things as a significant or viable ministry. Granted, he has to take responsibility for what he does with those feelings and thoughts. But what role does the church and more specifically do the pastors in his life play in helping him to keep from falling for that misconception? I also have to wonder if in believing that what he has to offer isn't spiritual in nature he might feel let off the hook to really develop and mature in his relationship with God. Once again...pure speculation.

I suppose my second question would be something like this..."Is it possible to be so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good?" When your "work" is wrapped up in church do you tend to stress the importance of commitment to the church over the rest of life? Do we promote an elitist spirituality that reinforces the destructive mindset that "spiritual" professions are more noble than "secular" or regular professions. If so what does the pastor do when he needs a plumber? So many questions....think I'm going to take a break and chew on that thought for a little while.