Comments on: It’s Complicated…But Good http://grantenglish.com/archives/2009/02/09/its-complicatedbut-good/ the randomness of a distracted existential tour guide. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:09:19 +0000 hourly 1 By: MarkE http://grantenglish.com/archives/2009/02/09/its-complicatedbut-good/comment-page-1/#comment-112215 MarkE Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:09:49 +0000 http://grantenglish.com/?p=2051#comment-112215 "I’m convinced that it’s not me they want but the pastoral care/presence...Will I be authentic enough to let people know...?" Not without practice. It is sort of like trying to keep your balance in a swift current. Life comes at us like a torrent. The default is to be swept away with it. It takes an intentional effort to keep your balance. I like your use of the word "presence" here. That is where it happens. But you can't be present on-the-spot if you are not able to be present off-the-spot. This, too, requires practice. I also like the focus on reproducing leaders. That is our charge, but a teacher is not above his master. You can't give what you don't got. Our heads are too full of "knowledge" and "correct beliefs" because that is all that many of our leaders have. Kingdom leaders know how to be present with God and others. They are the ones that are expanding the invisible church. Be that kind of leader. And watch your balance. “I’m convinced that it’s not me they want but the pastoral care/presence…Will I be authentic enough to let people know…?”

Not without practice. It is sort of like trying to keep your balance in a swift current. Life comes at us like a torrent. The default is to be swept away with it. It takes an intentional effort to keep your balance.

I like your use of the word “presence” here. That is where it happens. But you can’t be present on-the-spot if you are not able to be present off-the-spot. This, too, requires practice.

I also like the focus on reproducing leaders. That is our charge, but a teacher is not above his master. You can’t give what you don’t got. Our heads are too full of “knowledge” and “correct beliefs” because that is all that many of our leaders have. Kingdom leaders know how to be present with God and others. They are the ones that are expanding the invisible church. Be that kind of leader. And watch your balance.

]]> By: daveb http://grantenglish.com/archives/2009/02/09/its-complicatedbut-good/comment-page-1/#comment-112205 daveb Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:31:00 +0000 http://grantenglish.com/?p=2051#comment-112205 Get over the "pastor" thing....we've had that discussion before...Pastor Grant! =0) Get over the “pastor” thing….we’ve had that discussion before…Pastor Grant! =0)

]]> By: Grant http://grantenglish.com/archives/2009/02/09/its-complicatedbut-good/comment-page-1/#comment-112204 Grant Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:04:30 +0000 http://grantenglish.com/?p=2051#comment-112204 Georges - when you call me Pastor I feel like I should break out a sweater vest and a pipe. But you are challenging me to be that contemplative pastor and I am thankful for that. Georges – when you call me Pastor I feel like I should break out a sweater vest and a pipe.

But you are challenging me to be that contemplative pastor and I am thankful for that.

]]> By: Georges Boujakly http://grantenglish.com/archives/2009/02/09/its-complicatedbut-good/comment-page-1/#comment-112203 Georges Boujakly Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:44:24 +0000 http://grantenglish.com/?p=2051#comment-112203 Pastor Grant, You are asking the right questions and in turn the church will hopefully ask them with you. I for one am. The answer some may give is to get more paid staff. That may be needed but no church can hire enough staff to care for the souls of church members. We must learn to care for our own souls, and for each other in an ongoing and organic way in imitation of Christ. The best way I know to do that is to do life with a few others who are willing to train in self and others' soul care (also in imitation of Christ). Pastor Grant,
You are asking the right questions and in turn the church will hopefully ask them with you. I for one am.
The answer some may give is to get more paid staff. That may be needed but no church can hire enough staff to care for the souls of church members. We must learn to care for our own souls, and for each other in an ongoing and organic way in imitation of Christ. The best way I know to do that is to do life with a few others who are willing to train in self and others’ soul care (also in imitation of Christ).

]]> By: daveb http://grantenglish.com/archives/2009/02/09/its-complicatedbut-good/comment-page-1/#comment-112187 daveb Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:03:09 +0000 http://grantenglish.com/?p=2051#comment-112187 I am starting to think that finding the balance with these types of "tensions" is good for the soul. I am starting to think that finding the balance with these types of “tensions” is good for the soul.

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