What Others Need

While meeting with a church leadership team recently who have been without a pastor for several months, I asked them what they expected from an interim. The answer took me totally by surprise. They said, "We need to be able to stay ramped up, solving our problems, and leading this congregation with a strong lay presence. We don't want to become dependent on a pastor." Now some pastors might think, "well, I guess you don't need me." (Subconsciously implied that "I need to be needed".) Others might celebrate this position without knowing what it meant. (Subconsciously implied "Good for you. What will I do?") And others might just sit back, let out a deep breath and smile. (Consciously implied "A partnership in Christ. How refreshing.")

So often we clergy are quick to fix, to see the need and offer the solution, to take care of others and all the time know we are burning out, losing touch with our call and passion, and not really solving anything. When we shape our interests and passion around what others need rather than around what our body needs to stay strong, we sell ourselves and our congregations short. How often do we find ourselves trying to give to others what we don't have in ourselves in any more? You can't give what you don't have.

Each week in Advent the light gets brighter, the flame grows and we see a bit more of the story. Do you do the same for yourself? Does your flame grow stronger as you reconnect to the story for yourself. Or are you to busy making sure that the flames of others are bright and to do you do for others what they need to do for themselves to make their flame stronger and to connect to the story for themselves? Watch your own flame this season. May it be burning brighter not dimmer as we move into the new year.