IRONING OUT THE IRONY!

I write this blog based upon that which I've seen and experienced the past 20 years or so as a pastor.  Maybe some of you clergy types can relate.  Or maybe it's JUST me.


One thing about my vocation, I did not choose it.  My wife and I were happily married, living in rural Kansas, active in our church, had great jobs, and lived close to wonderful family and friends.  Then God pulls a "Go to a land that I will show you" kind of thing.  So after leaving the previously mentioned behind, to Chicagoland we did go.  Bottom line?  Called into ordained ministry.  And that's where we find ourselves today.  Serving as the pastoral husband and wife in a local church.  Did we choose this? No!  Did God call us into the ministry?  Yes!  Without a doubt.

Now, to borrow a phrase of a pastor friend, ministry is "brutiful" - both beautiful and brutal.  Just like any other vocation, there are the good times and the "not-so-good".  But it is the irony that is found in the "not-so-good" that baffles me from time to time.

I have a deep desire for people to experience God's love, his forgiveness, his grace and mercy by virtue of placing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  That drives me.  That is my passion, especially seeing lives transformed because of Jesus.  And I acknowledge that my passion can come across as "direct" or "pushy" or even "in your face" at times.  I own that.  Guilty as charged.  But here's where the iron comes into play.

Why is it okay for a CEO to hold accountable those whom he/she oversees?  Why is it it okay for a medical director to call into account those who administer health care to those in need?  Why is it okay for a teacher to give direction and provide discipline to his/her students in the classroom?  Why is it okay for a coach to expect his/her athletes to be responsible to train correctly and be at all practices?  Yet, why is it not okay for a pastor to hold accountable his/her parishioners to the vows they have exchanged with God and the church?

Quit "judging" me, "you're meddling", it's  "none of your business".  I've experienced this for years but let me tell you, I am so glad that a certain pastor "meddled", got in "my business", held me accountable to who I proclaimed to be.  If not, who knows what ditch I'd be in today.  Just as a coach would do, just as a CEO would do, just as a teacher would do, that pastor did, and I am grateful.

As I mentioned, my passion can get in the way of my tact.  I get that and apologize if any of you who are reading this have experienced that.  However, know this, when I stand before God on judgment day, I do not want to be accused of running way from my responsibility to those who have made vows to God and his church by upholding the church by their prayers, presence, gifts, and service.  Should I not do so would be more than irony, it would be a tragedy!

THE HATED "A" WORD - ACCOUNTABILITY!

Proverbs 27:17 says this, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man (person) sharpens another." Last week there was a request to blog on this verse so here we go. In America we find ourselves in a very individualistic culture where "it's all about me", "leave me alone", "it's none of your business". Well, I beg to differ. As Christians, my business is your business and vice versa which then gives us license to hold each other accountable. Now as you all know, that can get a little dicey from time to time because accountability can be perceived as judgmental which then leads to arguments, fighting, even a break in relationship. Yes, there are times when we do become judgmental and that is not healthy. But, there is nothing wrong with a good face to face "discussion" when there is cause for concern. We owe that to each other if we really love and care for each other.


If you notice the picture above, there is a hammer, there is some serious heat, and there will be some reshaping that will take place. The very fact that the words "iron sharpens iron" are used implies some pain, some grunt and groan, some "ouches". But, the intent is to becomer sharp, to grow in maturity, to acknowledge some areas of fault that need to be ground away to become smooth. And often it takes someone to bring that to our attention, or for us to bring it to someone else's attention. That's the accountability that we have to each other as Christians and once we submit ourselves to that, we find that we really do grow and become sharper that we might be used by God in a more efficient way.


I've been involved in some pretty good battles over the years. There has been the sound of iron clashing against iron at times. At times, it has been very productive. At times, well let's just say that either I or the other person(s) chose not to be sharpened. The problem comes when we don't learn from it. I've always said that some of my greatest fights (accountability moments)were with my brother Randy. But he's part of my family and I still love him and will go to bat for him any day. The same holds true with those who I've sharpened a little steel with in the past. And yes, I still care deeply for each of them.


The bottom line is we need each other. It's Jesus' idea that we are to be the "body" of Christ, not the "body part". It's no fun to give yourself a hug - it takes two. And it takes each one of us to be there for one another and yes, hold each one of us accountable. In doing so we become sharp together. Get the point??