I almost titled this “Back in the Saddle Again” but there is neither saddle nor horse involved, just a Pulpit and Chancel. Actually, this may be the first time in my entire forty year career that I have done what is called “Pulpit Supply,” preaching at a church other than one I am serving. Until two or three days ago, I have not been ready to accept any requests to preach other than requests from the current Pastor of the congregation from which I retired to preach there (where I am still a Member). That Pastor asked and I agreed to preach and lead two services a year ago, New Year’s Eve and all the Services one Sunday shortly after Christmas a year ago. Those two times and one additional time (the Sunday the Current Pastor was Installed) are the only times I have preached and led worship in the three and a half years since I retired.
Since I have indicated to District Officials that I am not open to doing pulpit supply preaching at other congregations, I have rarely been asked and when I have been asked I have declined. I was surprised to the verge of being shocked when I emailed with my reply the Pastor who made the request of me to preach at his church while he is gone. I said, “Yes.” The congregation is in a University town about a half hour from here. I attended the early morning Service today to see how that Pastor leads worship. Every place does it a bit differently. It is by far easier to preach a sermon than it is to move around the Chancel and be at the place that congregation is accustomed to the Pastor standing at the time they are expecting the Pastor to be there – saying the words they are expecting to hear. In addition there is an Organist, Choir, Acolytes, Ushers, Readers, Sound Tech, Communion Assistants, all doing a variety of tasks demanding coordination with whoever is leading worship. There is a special message to be given to a group of very unpredictable children.
It would be easier if I had a more cavalier attitude about leading worship. Since leading worship is the profession of a Pastor, it is reasonable to expect the Pastor to do a good job, a job that is well-planned and well-executed. I take that very seriously. It would be irresponsible and unprofessional not to at least attempt to come prepared. I find the claim that it is better to let the Spirit lead in the moment than to come prepared a very transparent excuse for not being willing to do the work a Pastor is Called to do. It is just silly to suggest that the Spirit can only lead if there is no preparation. In the language of theology, that is mistaking testing God for trusting God. Musicians and performers of every sort know that there is a whole lot of preparation needed to create the possibility of a moment in which the inspiration is palpable. I also recognize that no amount of preparation guarantees that such a moment will come. It is also clear that there needs to be a readiness to abandon the plan when the moment demands it. I learned that in 18 years of working with Youth.
The question remains, why did I say yes to this request? I don’t know for sure. It just seemed like time to give it a try. The Pastor there needed to be gone for a post-Christmas break with his wife. As I have noticed many times before, I seem sometimes to be observing my own choices more than making them. I enjoyed the service this morning. The place seems to be a good fit for a first try at this. People were friendly and there were a couple of folks who knew me because of crossing paths in the congregation here from which I retired. It is just one Sunday and I may never do it again. We’ll see what the future brings. The task of trying to write a book is a daunting one that may not allow the time to write sermons and prepare to lead worships as well.
In a couple of weeks when I preach and lead worship at that congregation, between the two Services I will do a portion of the Journey to Healing presentation on the trip to New Zealand and Australia and its place in my grief journey. The timing is good since I will do the same shorter presentation the Friday before at an Ecumenical ministry with the Aging that is called the Shepherd’s Center.
What an odd turn of events.
