So, You’re a Pastor, a Lutheran Pastor, Serving Where the Lord of the Church Has Placed You: And I Thank God For You in My Prayers

Abstract

A conversation hits the awkward zone because the listener doesn’t quite know what to do with this discovery. But this one is brave and asks, “What does that mean?” You wade in to help your neighbor think about it in a way that is faithful and useful because your Seelsorger’s heart knows this person also needs to be served by a pastor and probably doesn’t have one—at least not the kind of pastor you are. You pay attention to your conversation partner to check if interest is waning. You speak to the presenting issue (their curiosity) while attempting to guide it to the underlying issues that always drive a human; you’re a Lutheran pastor and you know the enslaved nature of every human and you also know the One who sets them free. And you speak for him. This essay will address qualifications, preparations and on-going growth for the candidate and for the pastor. It will talk about day-to-day pastoral duties, job descriptions, balancing multiple vocations, and time management. The essay will talk about how fun it is to be a pastor. And how difficult. But you will be blessed because we will consider it all in the light of the Good Shepherd whose voice we get to listen to and in whose name we get to serve as pastors.