Food for Thought

My probationary covenant group (those in the ordination process) is working through the book "Becoming a Pastor: Forming self and soul for ministry" by Jaco J. Hamman. We digest the book chapter by chapter and it has lead to very insightful discussions. This week read and discussed the chapter on the capacity to be alone. The opening sentence in the chapter is "To become a pastor is to be alone with yourself in the presence of others and God. The capacity to be alone describes the ability to contain one's emotions and appetites and to enter into appropriate relationships with significant others and strangers." Being alone is not being lonely. Being alone allows one to connect with one's self, with others and with the holy. What do you think?

Hamman also asks the question "How do you become a listening presence to persons, rather than an answering machine that dispenses theological advice?" I like that question. How do we become a listening presence? It reminds me of CPE days. I think that this is a question that all of us, not just pastors, need to examine. Sometimes is about listening. Sometimes it's about being quiet.

In our busy worlds we often fail to stop and connect with ourselves, with others and with God. Sometimes its not in the words we say but in our ability to be quiet and listen. When was the last time you truly listened? to yourself? to another? to God?