Thursday, February 2, 2017

Dichotomous Ministry

It seems a dichotomous world, which an urban minister inhabits -- two worlds which seem utterly contradictory. On the one hand, there is the "respectable" side of ministry, which includes public worship and pastoral ministry. On the other hand, the minister regularly deals with violence, degradation, double-dealing, and desperation -- and many such things besides. In all of it, he or she may need to get tough -- even call for backup. OBSERVATION: What seems so incongruous is that, within an hour, one might transition from worship to pandemonium. Yet I would think that the fewest of Church members are aware of that “other” side of ministry. It may account for a significant part of a minister's involvements. I once estimated: one-quarter of my work.

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