A few more quotes from Barbara Brown Taylor:
“At least one of the purposes of church is to remind us that God has other children, easily as precious as we. Baptism and narcissism cancel each other out.”
“Having tried as hard as I knew how to seek and serve Christ in all persons, I knew for sure that I could not do it. I was not even sure that I wanted to do it anymore, and I felt increasingly deceitful saying that I would. Feeding people was no longer feeding me. While I remained constitutionally incapable of walking past a hungry baby bird, it was the wild geese that were calling me. When I heard them coming, I hurried to the window, straining to see them through the branches of the tall pines overhead. Sometimes all I caught was a beating wing or an outstretched neck, but even that was enough to set me weeping again. No thoughts went with the tears. The tears simply fell out of my eyes, and it was not until the geese were gone that the words formed in the empty air. Take me with you.”
“After I left him in search of food [at a pool party], I wound up with a couple I had always thought I would enjoy but whom I never really got to know since they did not serve on any committees and were never, as far as I knew, in crisis. We sat down in adjacent rocking chairs with plates full of lobster and corn balanced on our laps, laughing so much that I spit food clear across the porch. I did not wonder why I had not sought them out earlier because I already knew the answer. By my rules, caring for troubled people always took precedence over enjoying delightful people, and the line of troubled people never ended. Sitting there with corn stuck between my teeth, I wondered why I had not changed that rule sooner.”
Mike, you know part of our story and I have been where she was but I described it as I had run out of supplies. So many peopled needed so much and there was so much turmoil and every action was questioned…the well was dry and I needed a very long, cold drink. I have lived in her words, right down to finally have some fun and normal conversation that makes me laugh…there were times that the laughing would make me cry because I was so weary.
Mike, you probably aren’t even aware of this but…your life has taught me much about boundaries. Thanks.
“…caring for troubled people always took precedence over enjoying delightful people, and the line of troubled people never ended.”
Thanks for the encouragement this week for us minister-types.
I make it a point to seek out the delightful along with needy. Also, a good evening of laughter is an under-used remedy for the drain that can come with the territory.
Wow. I am loving these quotes. I think this book is a must-read. I’m going to step out here and say that I think there are some troubled people who really seem to relish being troubled. These people are the ones who have taught me how to set boundaries. Then there are people who are so incredibly delightful in spite of and in the midst of their troubles. These people show me more about the Kingdom of Heaven than anyone else on the face of the earth. They know who they are and I long to be in their company.
Mike,
I thank you for the last two quotes but I wonder if these quote foreshadowing another announcment?
I hope not. Preach the word!
mike..i can’t imagine the struggles of a minister. I do know that until this last year I have never felt almost drowned by troubles. The ones who were willing (and I do know its a great sacrifice) to have sat with me in all that was going on I will forever be grateful to. I am thankful that they didn’t grow weary or “set boundaries.” Can I set boundaries as a follower of Christ? Can I be so intentional in whom I serve in His name whether they seem to “relish” in their troubles? Candy, being “delightful” in one’s troubles, I believe and I could be wrong, is one of the stages of grief..some would like to step back and wait till that stage goes by and then they miss the most precious holy moments of servitude. (not sure that’s a word..may have just made it up)
Beverly, I do know that we are called to help and to serve but I also know that we have to know ourselves and know our limits. Boundaries are healthy…in our families, with our friends and as we encounter the world. Jesus knew when to retire and be alone…there were still crowds pressing and problems and brokeness but we have to set boundaries in order to be effective servants. I have walked beside friends who are hurting and beside friends in joyful life experiences but both of those required boundaries. I have a family and I have an inward journey of my own…trying to stay in God’s presence and yet still reach out to the world around me. I am not very effective unless I have been fed spiritually and my family has been fed spiritually. I don’t even know if I am making sense…but I have been in that place where I have been continually serving and never refilling and never saying no to anyone and yet I needed spiritual nourishment and physical rest…and I know that during those times I didn’t feel like very effective or useful. So, through these too many words, I am trying to say that I think that boundaries are healthy and needed in every relationship.
Oh..Julie..I totally agree..
My favorite moment of the book - and there are MANY in second place - is her unexpected “rebaptism” in that pool at the party.
I’ve yet to meet the minister, elder, deacon, teacher or other member of the Lord’s church who could or should wear a red-and-yellow “S” on a blue undershirt.
Ah yes! Ministry burnout. How well I remember it’s burning bite. Nurturing, teaching, encouraging, mentoring, nudging, etc., etc., etc. and yet, it seemed there was no place to go for refueling, as Julie mentioned, until I came to Highland, that is. Setting boundaries is as important, as crucial to our spiritual, emotional and physical life as is air for the lungs, in my opinion.
I also must agree with Jeremy. These two blog entries have given me a creepy, up the spine chill. I pray they are not a glimpse of future drastic changes on Highland’s horizon. And I echo his expressed sentiments, “I hope not!”
There’s an underlying message implicit in Taylor’s words here:
“I never should have let it get to this point. It shouldn’t be this way.”
I wonder if Barbara would agree that in professionalizing ministry in our productivity-based culture, the church sets its full-time servants up for burnout and disappointment. In most of our churches, responsibility for the spiritual care of hundreds or thousands of church members and countless not-yet-Christians in surrounding communities falls on a handful of men (usually). I’m not convinced that the position of full-time minister — in all that churches expect out of that position — is the least bit sustainable.
I wonder if Barbara would agree with my loose re-translation of Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:26:
“For what does it profit a [person] to spend a lifetime in ministry and lose his soul.”
Thank you, Mike, for posting Barbara’s words here. They are both reflective and prophetic, but I fear they will be lost on most of the church. Doesn’t preach too well to, well, preachers. =)
I hate to be the old fashioned thinker here but I can’t get around the fact that we are discussing a woman in a role that I believe is unscriptural. I’m not really trying to start a discussion on women’s roles in the church as much as, is Barbara called to this role. Not to say that ministers of all shapes and sized don’t have profound struggles, but the reasons for them are usually human. For Ms. Taylor, I can’t help but assume that she is naturally going to struggle because she is attempting to live a life that God has not called her to. In no way am I saying she should just give it up. What do you guys think?
Kyle, are from the northeast and do you mean all of us or do you just want to know what the guys think? Or maybe I am not called to answer because I am a woman? I don’t know….just trying to clarify.
Kyle, if you had ever witnessed Ms. Taylor in ministry I don’t think that you’d be able to ask that question - at least from not from the position that you approach it from. Pick up a couple of her books, and then prayerfully consider it…
Julie, I certainly don’t mean any disrespect and was only trying to be intellectually honest. I am open to discussion, even persuasive discussion but sarcasm is not necessary. Yes I use the term “guys” generically and would never attempt to exclude anyone from an open forum. And I’m from TX but, being in the Navy, have lived all over the country so I don’t use “yall” as much now.
Mike, my point is not that women cannot be gifted ministers of the faith. But my best understanding at this time is that God did create men and women differently and he intended for them to carry out different functions and roles in life. I have a hard time reconciling as some have, both the New Testament passages on roles of women and the creation story and the implication of God’s design with women taking public leadership roles over men in the church. I respect that not everyone agrees with me. I don’t come to my position by refusal to consider any other way but rather by studying and searching the scripture. But that was really beside the point. My point was just that it is possible that God wants her to take a different role in ministry. I have seen many women do a very good job of maintaining balance at being effective (even powerful) ministers and fulfilling the purposes that God created them for.
But the way you put your comment…
“…if you had ever witnessed Ms. Taylor in ministry I don’t think that you’d be able to ask that question…”
kinda implies that if she’s a good enough preacher, then it’s OK. That’s fine if you’re trying to debunk the argument that “women are inferior and not good preachers and that’s why God doesn’t want them to do it”. But that’s not at all where I come from. I try to be as faithful and gentle as I can with my interpretation of the Scripture and I come to the conclusion that God doesn’t desire for women to preach and lead a congregation in the role that the Episcopalian church has ordained her to whether they are good preachers or not.
Honestly I just came here looking for a score to from the game this afternoon… But I think the burn-out she is talking about has nothing to do with ggender and is possible in many kinds of ministry. It’s not just privy to those whose income comes from working for professional in a church. Just ask my friend DJG… But what do I know? I’m just looking for the score from the game.
Kyle, point taken. And I’d even agree that it’s not an entirely valid argument - but, often those with more conservative views are strongly swayed when they see a reality that doesn’t conform.
Regardless, I’d have to go with SG. This isn’t a gender issue. I’m willing to be presumptuous enough to speculate that one of the reasons Mike posted these thoughts is that they’re not entirely unfamiliar. Ministry burnout has claimed more than a few gifted male ministers…
Keith - The “baptism” scene is also my favorite part of the book. I’ve read it several times now.
Kyle ,
I believe you are right. We should not try and change God’s design . It is perfect. And when His ways are applied they are the best way for all to live.
Kyle - I disagree with you for reasons I’ve mentioned often on the blog and in easily-accessible tapes. But thanks so much for your kind spirit. We certainly can disagree on this while recognizing our unity in Christ. Mike (the one with the blog)
Kyle, I apologize for my sarcasm…sometimes too quick to spill off my tongue but I will say that it is a knee jerk response. A knee jerk response because as women we are always being questioned and I think that Barbara Brown Taylor is brilliant and a follower of Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit and because of her gender you question her calling. Her sermons and her books shine with honesty and integrity and an earnest desire to know Jesus in a deeper way. Who are we to say that God has not called her? Would you have questioned her calling if she were a man?
I am glad to see you highlight this great book. It might have been the best book I read this year. My only regard about the book is that I could have read it on the beach. It touched my soul little so few books do. Thank you for quoting from it.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
Julie, anytime someone claims a calling that is counter to our understanding of God, we have to question the authenticity of that calling. An extreme example would be when people blowup abortion clinics. That would be counter to our understanding of God and so I would say we are obligated to question that calling.
Now, I couldn’t see anything you said about Ms. Brown that I would disagree with. But, she is still fully human and faulted like you and I.
I’m not sure about this, but based on some of the comments I’ve heard, the rationale sounds more like “It must be OK with God that women publicly lead the church, otherwise why would he make them such good preachers”. To me that has nothing to do with whether or not it’s biblical.
I hope Ms. Brown continues to follow Christ with the earnestness and integrity that you speak of. I see no reason why she can’t. That is not in conflict with the concept of woman being created as a helper to man and the Godly design of male headship in the family and the church.
Kyle,
Once again , amen. Let us rejoice in the design God created for male and female relationships. Yes , there are very gifted women and their abilities must be used to glorify God and to reach out to a tired and hopeless world but as you have said within the plan God has given us.