I’m still thinking about the parable of the dishonest/shrewd/clever manager (Luke 16:1-3) that I preached on recently.  It is a confusing story (and even offensive to some Christians) and hard to understand how Jesus could be advocating that “children of the light” model anything after those of the world.  The often-quoted words “work smarter … not harder” come from Allen F. Morgenstern, an industrial engineer, who created the work simplification program in an effort to increase efficiency. When I was a student at Denver Seminary, it seemed like the opposite of efficiency was often heralded.  As students worked to come up with individualized learning goals, quite often mentors encouraged the process of “slowing” — purposefully slowing down one’s life in order to cultivate patience (one of the fruits of the Spirit) and to notice and pay more attention to God along the way. So as Christians, are we supposed to be efficient or slow down?  Which is it? Of course, there does not … [Read more...]

“You are a saint.  I could never be a pastor,” a new friend said to me. “Why’s that?” I inquired, even as I sensed what was coming. “Because I am nowhere near that type of holy.” “Thankfully, that’s not a requirement for Presbyterians,” I answered. I went on to brag to my friend about the priesthood of all believers — about how Presbyterians believe we are all ministers in some capacity on our best days.  And, on our worst days, with that whole depravity of humankind – well, we can be that kind of worst as well.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I try hard to be as Christ-like as a I can be, but even being a pastor doesn’t mean I get it right any more than another Christian.  That might be a comfort or a concern, but the only priestly thing about a Presbyterian minister is their vows — which purposefully are not all that different from a those of a deacon or elder. Like many pastors, I must confess that I often benefit from the misunderstanding of the role of the pastor in the … [Read more...]

My other job – besides minister – is teaching math to high-schoolers.  As the last school year drew to a close, a few of them indulged me by asking that I sign their yearbooks.  "All my best, Ms. Raffety," I closed several of the entries — sincerely, but still professionally, I hope. Those words still sick with me.  Who, in our lives, really gets our best?  Is it our significant other, sibling, children, co-workers, friends?  Is it God?  Is it a perfect stranger on the street?  There is a popular contemporary expression (that frustrates all math teachers) about "giving 110%," but if everyone consistently gave their best, well, we wouldn't need the expression then, now would we?  The Bible argues that everything we do deserves our best, our all, because we are working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).  As Christians, we are often encouraged to work and to act as if we are directly serving God rather than people.  And yet, there exists the expression "we are only human" — we all need … [Read more...]

I am bivocational, so 30 hours a week I teach math to high-schoolers.  Whenever they make a silly math error – the kind that they totally should know the answer to – I will jokingly say to them, “You’re hurting me,” and clutch my chest.  They inevitably laugh and try to correct their mistake.  Similarly, whenever I hear church people say things like, “I hate millennials” or “I can’t stand millennials” or “Millennials are ruining the country,” I can’t help but think, “You’re hurting me.”  Because, as a pastor, it is my job to help people follow and love like Jesus.  And since when did it become okay to harbor hurt in our hearts for an entire people group? Since when did it become okay to discriminate against an entire people group because they are young (insert token 1 Timothy 4:12 citation here)?  Since when did it become okay to label people for the purpose of judging them? Millennials are criticized weekly, if not daily, in the news.  Millennials (depending on your source) are … [Read more...]

I vividly recall the excitement I felt when first applying to ministry positions upon graduating from seminary.  I decided that (besides Wyoming) I was open to wherever God might call me.  I eagerly began my search, but I quickly became discouraged.  It seemed as if almost every position said:  two-five years experienced required.  Should I just apply anyway and explain that I had other industry experience (I previously worked in the business sector prior to switching careers)?  Did my internship experience count?  How does one gain experience if they have to have experience to get the job in the first place? It seems that nothing can really be substituted for experience.  For that reason alone, I will always be grateful for my first church that took a chance on an inexperienced pastor (right out of seminary) and allowed me to gain that valuable first couple years (and more) of experience. Experience, whether we like to acknowledge it or not, has a direct relation to faith.  As … [Read more...]