tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344424071192264900.post1186269698302039308..comments2023-03-25T05:42:56.513-05:00Comments on Sharing Ministry and Faith: Tracing New HistorySteve Thorsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17378015932917535496noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344424071192264900.post-1095930300563770952010-08-26T08:03:54.797-05:002010-08-26T08:03:54.797-05:00Thanks Gene. Seeing your new comment brought to m...Thanks Gene. Seeing your new comment brought to mind that you made a comment two weeks ago that I didn't post yet. I'll post it now.Steve Thorsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17378015932917535496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1344424071192264900.post-11256565691173118572010-08-26T07:39:55.867-05:002010-08-26T07:39:55.867-05:00Pastor Steve, I'd say then, that the pastors h...Pastor Steve, I'd say then, that the pastors have been doing their job. Worship (liturgy) is first and foremost a "work of the people", not the "work of the pastor". That never existed ... at least in the early Church. Not until the early Church was morphed into the state religion of Rome, at any rate.<br /><br />It seems to me that there should be other things that are not the "work of the pastor" as well. Paul kept saying there was one body, but many parts, each with its own mission or job (if you will) that supports the overall health and welfare of the body.<br /><br />The danger we tend to overlook in our religious practice as well as every other facet of our lives, including the secular side, is that leadership tends to become ownership, sometimes by personal agenda, but most often by tacit approval of the body because people tend to take the position "Whew! Thank God I don't have to do that!" And so what turns out to be benign service with an eye to the good of all becomes "my job, my legacy, my fiefdom." I'm not being cynical, either, just exposing a third party's observation of group dynamics over the course of a lifetime.<br /><br />Change is good, otherwise growth is hindered. Vaya con Dios, mi amigo.<br /><br />Gene.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872168184744595383noreply@blogger.com