Pastor Who?
On my first Sunday here at The Church of the Resurrection, I asked people to call me Pastor Drew. Looking into the congregation, I saw some people nod their heads, some people make no response, and some people look like they didn't approve of this Pastor thing at all.
Before I go any further, let me emphasize what I said in my sermon: If you've always called your priest Father (or Mother) and you don't want to stop now, that's fine with me. If you call me Father I will answer, and I will have no hard feelings. (However, if you do call me Father, please make it Father Drew instead of Father Bunting.)
I spoke about why I prefer to be called Pastor in my sermon that day, but in case you weren't there I'd like to repeat it here. The main reason is that I think Pastor is more accurate. The title Father seems to say something about who I am. It sounds like I'm closer to God, or more holy than other people. The truth is that I am not any holier than anyone else. Or maybe it's better to put it like this: I'm just as holy as anyone else who has been baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On the other hand, the title Pastor describes my job, which is to care for the people of this congregation and help lead this community. It says that I'm part of this community, not an extra-holy person behind the altar. I may be the shepherd of this congregation, but in God's eyes I am a sheep like everyone else.
I think it's really important to remember that as we carry out God's mission in Mukwonago, we're all sheep, whether we're ordained or not. We're all in this together. The work of ministry cannot be done by one person, or by a select few. It takes all of us. Every member of the Body of Christ has something to contribute. Every one of us is necessary.
I hope that using the title Pastor will help us remember that in God's eyes we're all the same and that we are all part of building the kingdom of God. But even if it doesn't help you remember, it will help me remember. And that's important too. Jesus warns us about religious leaders who like to have special titles and be given special respect (Matthew 23:7). If too many people call me Father I might get a big head about it!
Okay. As I also said in my sermon, that's enough of that. We've got work to do. I can't wait to see what God calls us to do in Mukwonago, and I can't wait to serve with you (no matter what you call me!).
In Christ,
Pastor Drew +
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