“Do we appreciate the priesthood and love our priests?” the bishop asked in a posting on the Web site of his dioceses.
To answer this question, the bishop composed — “with a bit of humor” — the following test titled “Priestly Appreciation.” The test is complete with instructions to evaluate your answers and your level of appreciation for the priesthood.
Hmm. Mostly “b”s, I’m afraid. Oh well.
Although I haven’t known any bishops who have been, let’s say, “negative” in this regard, I have known a few who have made extraordinary efforts to encourage vestries and congregations to a spirit of appreciation for the ministry of parish clergy. I’d mention especially +Charlie McNutt of Central Pennsylvania in this regard, and +Henry Scriven, formerly our Assistant Bishop here in Pittsburgh. I’ve heard stories of some bishops who have actually tried to capitalize on friction between clergy and congregations, and in some cases even to intensify that friction for their own purposes. Bishops who have seemed more willing to throw clergy over the side of the boat rather than do what hard and sometimes costly work might be necessary to heal strained or broken relationships.
Thanks for passing this piece along.
Bruce Robison
I think clergy are most like real estate agents. That is to say its 10% of the workforce that does 90% of the deals. Meaning, there are a whole lot of real estate agents and clergy that really ought to find other lines of work.
Not every clergyman need be Billy Graham, but they should have a love for people and be available to those in the congregation in need of pastoral care. I always smile when I think of the portrayal of the local CoI Bishop visiting Innisfree in John Ford’s, The Quiet Man, as the ultimate caricature of an Episcopal Bishop.
Thanks, Kendall. I appreciate the Bishop’s sense of humor, but I confess it hit a little close to home.
I write as a priest. Which of us could fully live up to that list of expectations and roles? When I get self-pitying I think of the people in the congregation and their incredible generosity with their time and talents. As for living a vocation that is challenging, I think that parents with handicapped children – especially where both parents and children are aging – have the one of the biggest challenges of all. Now that’s commitment for you. I doff my cap to them.
There is enormous pressure on clergy – and stress. A successful parish can be a bit of a hothouse and it is important for them to be supported practically and in prayer and get proper holidays away from it all.