When Minister's Indulge Themselves

When Ministers Indulge Themselves
1 Samuel 2: 11- 36

Lent has just begun. Just beforehand, over dinner, the members of our Bible study group were wondering what Lenten discipline they might take on. I argued that discipline was better understood as a matter of doing something positive rather than as a matter of giving up something. Then on Ash Wednesday I took part in a symposium in the seminary on “Psychology of, with, and for the Poor,” which challenged us all about our commitment to the poor and thus suggested angles on how discipline might involve a positive commitment. As far as I know, the fact that this symposium happened on Ash Wednesday was a coincidence, but it was a nice coincidence. Pastors, and a professor who is also a pastor, have to ask how far our ministry is self-indulgent. I guess most pastors get paid more than many members of their congregations, live in nicer homes, and have better health care...