Graduation into a new life

First thoughts on being called to be a pastor at a church

Graduating from seminary changed my life more than the time leading to my choice to go to seminary about 4-5 years ago. Everything about me was new, well everything outside of me. The Apostle Paul spoke of us (Christians) being clothed by Christ, covered all around by Him. My coming to Calvary has truly been a very palpable example of being clothed with something. The traditional "apostolic succession" churches would probably call that "something" the office of the pastor. I no longer live as an individual who happens to do a certain job for a living. I AM a pastor. Being a pastor isn't something I can only do, it is something I have to live. Of course, I have chosen to live it but even if I wanted a break I couldn't take one. My name is no longer Doug, I am Pastor Doug now.

The pastor's first official outing

This past Sat. 6/9/05 there was a festival at Elmwood park in Norristown. JAM ( Jesus and me, I think) It was my first outing as Pastor Doug representing Calvary Baptist. I was amazed by what that little word above my name in my name tag did for the way I was treated! My interactions went something like this; hey, how're you doing? ( I'd get close enough for my name tag to be read) Oh! Pastor how are you. My name is... All day long it went in similar ways. Then there was one guy who stood above all my other interactions on that day. Here's an excerpt ,
Guy: Hey, how are you?
Me: Hi, I'm alright
Guy: ( looks at my name tag) pastor Doug...PASTOR! You're a pastor!? ( guess he doesn't really have much of an inner editing sense) Come here for a second. So, you're a pastor? What, did you start right out of high school!? ( I laughed) But, seriously, aren't you too young to be a pastor?
Me: Shouldn't you think a bit before you say these....Well, that's what I wanted to say. What I did say was, well, I'm just getting started...

I guess my spiky hair and cargo shorts didn't really give out that pastoral aura, whatever that may be. I guess the question in my mind is, how do I keep my ego in check while at the same time establishing and presenting the office of the pastor in a dignified and appropriate manner. Perhaps the issue does go back to Paul. The best way may be to keep in mind the fact that the only reason I can even be here much less be a pastor is because of the fact that Christ has embraced me and clothed me with himself. So, I am a pastor called to be a servant first. While at the same time, never forgetting that the office serves to humbly represent the one and only God, creator of all that is seen and unseen... ( little nicene creed quote there) But above all, a God who loves all of creation much more than we can comprehend.