Christmas for clergy

All right, because my brother-in-law told me to "check my blog" (on which, as far as I can tell, he has yet to comment) here it goes ...

Christmas for clergy is not quite the festive experience that it is for everyone else. Hours of musical practice, concerts and parties, extra events in worship services (that always complicate my fragile sense of order), and special meetings -- combined with the so-called "normal" ministry schedule -- threaten to transform me into a Grinch, or at least a Scrooge. "Oh when will it end?" my shriveled heart whines.

I remember my first post-Christmas as a pastor. I suffered my first anxiety attack immediately after all the celebration was done and all the guests went home. I was in my office by myself and the world crashed down. I felt like I was losing my mind as overwhelming loneliness and despair suffocated my spirit. Thankfully, I had on hand a book about dealing with depression and other side-effects to ministry, and the author assured me that my experience was normal. I wasn't losing my mind; an anxiety attack following a major event like Advent/Christmas and a large family gathering is to be expected. Sort of like a hangover.

Sheesh. I thought it was going to be easier than this. But then again, where in the world did I get that stupid idea? The Manger quickly becomes a Cross; Bethlehem is transformed into Golgotha. Perhaps I need to grow up a little more.

Thoughts on Mark 9:30-37

As I journal through Scripture, I want to focus on Christ's life and His teaching. The texts I will interact with will be ones I teach and preach from, but also the ones God confronts me with as I meditate and pray.

This text from Mark seems to be more Lenten than Pentecost, with its focus on Jesus' 2nd foretelling of his passion.

As opposed to his 1st pronouncement, after which Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him, this time the disciples are "too afraid to ask." (I guess Jesus' counter-rebuke -- "Get behind me, Satan!" -- scared them.) If you don't understand something, do you ask questions, or do you clam up in fear? The Christian church needs to be a community that can handle hard questions. After all, when we claim to know and teach the truth, we have the obligation to make it clear to people, i.e. "to give the meaning" (cf. Ezra 8:8). Questions are good opportunities to help people overcome doubts and confusion. But if they don't ask them, their faith will not grow.

After reaching Capernaum -- home turf -- Jesus confronts His disciples about the argument they'd been having on the road. (It's noteworthy to see how they responded to Jesus' foretelling of His death by getting into a "King of the Mountain" contest.)

Toviah Times

Greetings!

This is a brand-new blog from a first-timer, so don't get your hopes up. I somehow doubt many will read it, but just in case you do, please let me know!