News From the Presbytery of Transylvania
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Why Do People Keep Pastors at Arm's Length?
Cole Hartman, Christianity
Today
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I’m an Anglican priest. I wear black every day, I wear a collar, and I work in a parish. While many pastors from evangelical traditions opt out of the collar and thereby can get around “incognito,” those of us who wear clerical garb have a constant visual reminder of who we are. This is can be deeply isolating.
While I was preparing for ordination, one of my mentors warned me, “When you start wearing a collar, whether you like it or not, you will be a character in other people’s thoughts and dreams.” The truth of these words didn’t really hit me until I was on my first hospital round after being ordained. Many people stopped me to say, “Hello, Father,” or “Good morning, Father.” They didn’t know a thing about me, but by virtue of my vocation, I became a cartoonish aggregate of all their images of what a priest should be. I played a role in their thoughts, though they didn’t know my name.
I thought to myself,
I’m not just Cole anymore; I am always going to be assessed based on whether or not I fit a stereotype of a pastor.
In most people’s eyes, my vocation comes before my person. Even though my clerical garb reveals this in unique ways, it’s true for most people in professional ministry, with or without a collar. Pastoral ministry is a great calling—one I am glad to answer—but it can also leave me feeling cut off from others.
Set Apart
I imagine most of my parishioners would find it odd to learn that pastoral ministry can feel so lonely. While pastors spend their fair share of time alone writing and planning, much of the time we are surrounded by people—not by nameless crowds, but by people we know well. Yet we often feel alone.
To be a pastor is to be set apart, holy, “other”—or so it seems. Whether or not this is in fact the case, it is how we are popularly perceived, and it shapes the way we are treated.
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From time to time, I receive questions on various issues. If you have a question or something you’ve always wondered about, send them to me at
statedclerk@transypby.org
and I’ll address it in a future newsletter.
Here’s a question for this week:
Does the congregation approve the yearly budget?
A.
Yes
B.
No
C.
Maybe
Answer:
B. No
In the Presbyterian form of church government, the responsibility for finances and budgeting falls under the duties of the session. Here’s how the Book of Order says it: “…the session shall prepare and adopt a budget and determine the distribution of the congregation’s benevolences.” (See BOO G-3.0205
Finances.
)
Whenever the Book of Order uses “shall,” that means it’s a mandated or required action. Of course, the session would want to communicate with the congregation and encourage support of the congregation’s finances and budget, but it’s the duty and responsibility of each session to prepare and adopt an annual budget. For more information, see BOO G-3.0113
Finances
and G-3.02
The Session
.
Blessings,
Rev. Jerry Utt
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Church Openings and Other Jobs
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There are a number of Pastoral Opportunities available in the Presbytery. If you know of anyone who might be interested in one of the following positions, please share this information with them.
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FACILITIES MANAGER- First Presbyterian, LEXINGTON
First Presbyterian Church, Lexington is searching for a part-time facilities manager. The position description can be found at the link below. Please contact
Mark Davis
if interested.
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PASTOR- First Presbyterian, London
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CHILDREN & YOUTH DIRECTOR- First Presbyterian, Winchester
First Presbyterian Church of Winchester has an immediate opening for a part-time Children & Youth Director. The Director would function to assist in the development and implementation of the mission and ministry of the children and youth of the church. The Children/Youth Director will: plan a program and curriculum for the children/youth with the assistance of the CE Committee and the Pastor, meet with the children/youth or their parents outside of the Sunday service, and plan activities that are not part of the normal Sunday service. This is a 10 hour per week position with 4-5 hours per Sunday. The remainder of hours are to be used to meet with the children/youth or their parents, 1-2 times per week. If interested, candidates should submit their resume to Pastor Ryan at:
ryanbradney@gmail.com
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First Presbyterian Church in Paris- Part-time stated Supply
First Presbyterian Church is located 18 miles from Lexington on the scenic Paris/Lexington Road, is looking for a part-time stated supply minister to lead worship and preach each Sunday, administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, moderate the session and congregational meetings, visit the sick and shut-in, and lead funeral services upon request.
We are a small church but have a strong music program and a full-time Music Director. We are active in the community with music and art after-school programs.
Please consider our congregation if you are looking for a part time position. Direct inquiries to Rogers Barde, Clerk of Session, 859-987-1225.
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OCTOBER
30- Administration Commission, 10 am, Camp Burnamwood
November
7- Spiritual Formation, 10 am, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky
8-9- Statewide Youth Event
12- Retired Clery Lunch- Noon, Belle Notte, Lexington
12- Coordinating Commission, 5pm, Maxwell Street
14- Eastern Church Co-Hort, 5:30, Hazard
17- Linda Kurz Installation, 4pm, First Presbyterian, Lexington
20- Pastoral Transitions Commission, 10am, TBD
28- Happy Thanksgiving!
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OCTOBER
10/26 Ernest Stricklin- 67 years
10/26 Jackie Lindberg- 22 years
10/27 Jerry Utt, II- 17 years
May God continue to bless your ministry!
If we have missed your ordination anniversary or have incorrect information, please email
rjustus@transypby.org
so we can update your information.
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