Should He Or Shouldn't He?
Stories
LECTIONARY TALES FOR THE PULPIT
Series III, Cycle A
Gilbert was about to graduate from seminary. He got his regional assignment and his first call request and was making preparations to visit the church. He had to pack, take his finals, and get all his paperwork in order so he and his wife could make the move from Texas to Arizona. Gilbert, a former science teacher, was 48 and had put his schooling on hold until his children were grown and gone. He was eager to go: he had wanted to teach and preach for a long time, and he was glad he was finished with the schooling part of his career. He couldn't wait to get settled in and serve as pastor.
Gilbert met the senior pastor and two associate pastors. Gilbert considered their offer. Gilbert would be in charge of adult education and visitation if he took the call. It sounded just like what he loved to do. He bought many cleric shirts, both long-- and short--sleeved. He bought a new alb with matching band, and his cinctures hung ready. He wanted to make sure to look the part. He loved the fancy appointments that came with the job of pastor!
Gilbert was very surprised that first Sunday when he and his wife came to visit. He was just expected to sit and observe the service. He would be introduced, and there was a potluck in his honor after the service. The church wanted him to feel at ease. Pastor Tim, the senior pastor, and Karen, the first associate pastor, got up to do the service. Pastor Tim was wearing a black cleric and dark gray trousers. Karen was wearing a dress. No alb. No suit coat. No fancy vestments. Gilbert was confused, but he didn't say anything. The service included lots of singing and praying, and it was made easier with a large screen up at the front of the church. There was no need for bulletins. Gilbert missed the baptismal font.
The service was very, very casual, and Gilbert was disappointed and felt like he missed true worship. He wanted to hear liturgy. He wanted to hear more of what he was used to. He would have to be flexible, he told himself, if he expected himself to fit in.
Pastor Tim and Gilbert visited long into the afternoon after the scrumptious potluck. Pastor Tim wanted Gilbert to feel comfortable and tried to let him in on things. Pastor Karen, too, came and sat with them and helped shed light on many of their traditions at St. Stephen. She brought up the absence of vestments.
The congregation was older but was trying to attract younger people. Being in the heart of "sun country" and having such an elderly population brought the average church member's age up to 63. Many came from northern states and were there only for the winter. St. Stephen Church wanted to attract younger people so the church wouldn't be so deserted in the winter.
Gilbert took the call. He hardly ever wears his alb during regular worship services, but he does at every funeral, wedding, and baptism. He wants to make sure to distinguish that for him being dressed the part gives him confidence to proclaim the good news. Even though he realizes that one can wear jeans and a t--shirt and still proclaim the gospel, Gilbert is a little old--fashioned. He likes to look the part, dress the part, and act the part.
His alb still hangs in the vestry, ready in case it is needed.
Gilbert met the senior pastor and two associate pastors. Gilbert considered their offer. Gilbert would be in charge of adult education and visitation if he took the call. It sounded just like what he loved to do. He bought many cleric shirts, both long-- and short--sleeved. He bought a new alb with matching band, and his cinctures hung ready. He wanted to make sure to look the part. He loved the fancy appointments that came with the job of pastor!
Gilbert was very surprised that first Sunday when he and his wife came to visit. He was just expected to sit and observe the service. He would be introduced, and there was a potluck in his honor after the service. The church wanted him to feel at ease. Pastor Tim, the senior pastor, and Karen, the first associate pastor, got up to do the service. Pastor Tim was wearing a black cleric and dark gray trousers. Karen was wearing a dress. No alb. No suit coat. No fancy vestments. Gilbert was confused, but he didn't say anything. The service included lots of singing and praying, and it was made easier with a large screen up at the front of the church. There was no need for bulletins. Gilbert missed the baptismal font.
The service was very, very casual, and Gilbert was disappointed and felt like he missed true worship. He wanted to hear liturgy. He wanted to hear more of what he was used to. He would have to be flexible, he told himself, if he expected himself to fit in.
Pastor Tim and Gilbert visited long into the afternoon after the scrumptious potluck. Pastor Tim wanted Gilbert to feel comfortable and tried to let him in on things. Pastor Karen, too, came and sat with them and helped shed light on many of their traditions at St. Stephen. She brought up the absence of vestments.
The congregation was older but was trying to attract younger people. Being in the heart of "sun country" and having such an elderly population brought the average church member's age up to 63. Many came from northern states and were there only for the winter. St. Stephen Church wanted to attract younger people so the church wouldn't be so deserted in the winter.
Gilbert took the call. He hardly ever wears his alb during regular worship services, but he does at every funeral, wedding, and baptism. He wants to make sure to distinguish that for him being dressed the part gives him confidence to proclaim the good news. Even though he realizes that one can wear jeans and a t--shirt and still proclaim the gospel, Gilbert is a little old--fashioned. He likes to look the part, dress the part, and act the part.
His alb still hangs in the vestry, ready in case it is needed.
