Letter to editor appeared in Nov. 28, 2012 issue of Christian Century and in is response to an October 2012 cover story, “Fit for Ministry.” You can read it here.
Proeschold-Bell’s wish is to change how congregations see their pastors–no longer as their servant or as on a pedstal, but as a whole human with flaws and graces, as one needing fulfillment, as a partner in ministry. As we read and discussed the article and the wish in a supervised ministry class at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, it became clear that another step needs to be taken first: congregations will never come to know their pastor as whole humans with flaws and graces until pastors see themselves in this way.
If someone were to invite me to wave a wand, I would want to swing it widely so as to include pastor and people, inviting them to honesty and right relationship in ministry, so we could partner in ushering in the kingdom with health and hope in body and spirit.
- Dean Stephanie L. Sauvé, Rochester, NY
Letter to editor appeared in Nov. 28, 2012 issue of Christian Century.
