"But prayer is not a work that most pastor are often asked to do except in ceremonial ways. Most pastoral work actually erodes prayer. The reason is obvious: people are not comfortable with God in their lives. They prefer something less awesome and more informal. Something, in fact, like the pastor. Reassuring, accessible, easygoing. People would rather talk to the pastor than to God. And so it happens that without anyone actually intending it, prayer is pushed to the sidelines.
And so pastors, instead of practicing prayer, which brings people into the presence of God, enter into the practice of messiah: we will do the work of God for God, fix people up, tell them what to do, conspire in finding the shortcuts by which the long journey to the Cross can be bypassed since we all have such crowded schedules right now. People love us when we do this. It is flattering to be put in the place of God. It feels wonderful to be treated in this godlike way. and it is work we are generally quite good at..."
- Eugene Peterson, The Contemplative Pastor (HT - Bobby Hyatt)
I keep reading this and rereading it. The more I read it, the harsher it gets. I respect Eugene Peterson greatly. Several of his books sit on my shelves. If his accusation is true then those pastors who practice such selfish behaviors should be ashamed.
There's no one who can heal a hurt or right a wrong but Jesus. A pastor has no power unless the Spirit of the Living God chooses to work through him.
No pastor can do someone else's heart work.
We can cry with you. We can call out to God for you. We can point you to Him - even beg you to call out to Him.
But each person must carry their own cross.
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