Boys in Beards
I’d like to bring our discussion of age and authority up to the front of this blog. For a little extra context, read the comments on “Being perfect: it’s not your job…” starting with the question in Chelsey’s comment.
For those of us who are young(ish) people in ministry or young people preparing for ministry, we may, because of our age, find it challenging to live into the clothes of our calling. We may feel like we’re playing dress-up – like the clothes are too big for us. Or perhaps some of us feel prepared and ready – but not perceived as prepared or ready because of our age (which serves to decrease the feeling of preparedness and readiness!).
My husband and his father both looked rather young when they graduated from seminary. Both of them grew facial hair while they were waiting to be called to a church – so that they would appear older. I can’t grow a beard, but I have often felt the insecurity of my youth in my ministry.
There is a difference, isn’t there, between an authority that has grown over time and an authority that is bestowed upon us. The authority that someone has who has been in ministry for a long time is received well because it has stood the test of time – that person has earned the respect of congregants and communities. But when one is ordained, words are said to the congregation that may sound strange when spoken of a 26 year old – or when spoken of someone who hasn’t had a chance to prove himself or herself.
The Christian Reformed Church’s form for ordination of a minister of the Word charges the congregation in this way:
And you, brothers and sisters, joyfully receive your minister in the Lord and honor her. Remember that through him God himself speaks to you. Receive the Word which she, according to the Scripture, shall preach to you, not as the word of human beings but, as it is in truth, the Word of God… Submit to those whom God has placed over you, for they care for you as those who will give account.
This is the amazing reality of God. When God calls us to something, he works through us to do more than what we could ever possibly do on our own. Rachel said it well: “Sure, I may not have the life experience of half my congregation but if God calls you to do something, He’ll equip you with the proper wisdom and knowledge you need.”
What do you think? About age and authority? What about authority and gender? Looking forward to continuing discussion on this topic.
The charge to the congregation seems pretty heavy; but maybe it doesn’t have to be. I mean, if I was to do all that on my own I think I would become pretty darn proud of myself! The thing is, we’re not called to do things on our own - the only way we can accomplish any of those tasks is through Christ.
To elaborate on my previous post that “He’ll equip you with the proper wisdom and knowledge you need”, I think that we need to be aware of how God reveals wisdom to us. It’s not exclusively through His Word or through prayer, it can also be through other people; through your surrounding community or church. We need to remember, like Heidi previously posted, we’re not called to be perfect; so if we walk in our profession recognizing that we are sinful and we may be young and don’t know everything; then we walk in humility. And humility, I feel, is a sign of wisdom.
We also have to keep in mind that because we are young we can bring fresh ideas and perhaps we have a clearer understanding of our generation than the older generations.
I think that if we walk in humility with the openness to learn from others (which obviously requires some discernment) and seek out God’s wisdom and understand rather than our own, we will become wise beyond our years.
I came across an interesting angle on “the openness to learn from others (which obviously requires some discernment)” you mentioned, Rachel. During a long ride home from an out-of-town meeting yesterday I had the privilege and pleasure of carpooling with (and soaking up wisdom from) a retired pastor–one who’d even received a Distinguished Alum award from his seminary recently.
A bit of background: I was/am a bit rattled (especially after sinking a slab of cash into a big basement reno two years into my first call) by the stat that says a candidate’s first posting lasts an average of only four years. So, I was interested in his thoughts on the subject.
In the course of our conversation I came to these realizations: “Stay attentive to the people in your congregation. When you do, as you learn and grow together, you will be less “the (perpetual) candidate” and more “their pastor.” If you don’t (even if you do–there are no guarantees), you will always be “the candidate” regardless of how long you stay, and your hopes and dreams for changes in the congregation may well stall just as your authority-development does.”
In light of Heidi’s quote of the Christian Reformed Church’s form for ordination of a minister of the Word, my conversations with this colleague reinforced to me the “human” part of the “intensely human and profoundly divine” aspects of the call to serve as minister of the Word. Here’s hoping I can stay open and discerning, and have a decent shot at doubling the average…DV.
Thank you, Rachel and Doug, for your thoughts on this. As you (and others) grow into your callings, I pray for the God-given blend of confidence and humility (both of these are gifts, of course) that comes from staying attentive - staying attentive to God, to the people in your congregations, to the interior and interwoven movements of your spirit and the Holy Spirit.
Heidi, don’t you think that “boys in beards” are what society expects of them and nothing from God?
Rachel, you said “we not called to do things on our own” which is true but we are called to do His Will on our own terms.
When Jesus called His disciples He chose them as they were different from one another. They were to speak the Good News of salvation so that the masses could learn and understand the Grace of God.
However what made the teachings of Christ so unique has now, I think, been forgotten. It did not matter who or to whom the Word was being spread but now there comes a certain expected look.
I think society as a whole looks for and expects to see a “beard” on anyone who speaks the Word. We expect a certain act or demeanor. Why is that?
It was not always that way.
Age and authority? Those are things of man. Not of God. True Authority from God knows no age. If our Father’s Kingdom cannot be seen with our fleshy eyes why do we let our eyes have sway over our hearts? We need to judge God’s messengers by what our hearts tell us, not what our eyes show us.
Heidi, you said: “I have often felt the insecurity of my youth”
I say that is the BLESSING you are overlooking. Don’t you think that your insecurity and youth speak more to the wonders of God? And His ability to move within us?
“Beards” alone do not serve God and we should not be so caviler to dismiss the beardless.
But I am certain others do not agree with me.