Daily Archives: June 12, 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 12:44 pm on June 12, 2015
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My List of Things I have learned about being a Pastor on the 10th Anniversary of my Ordination — Rev. David J. Schreffler

What have I learned in ten years of being a Pastor?

12. They were right about that “Be the Non-Anxious Presence” from all of the discussions in CPE
11. Expect the Unexpected
10. Council Meetings are not THAT bad
9. I love doing weddings
8. Funeral sermons are the easiest to preach – everyone wants to hear what you have to say about the resurrection at a funeral
7. Good Church Office Administrators and Secretaries are worth their weight in gold
6. People do really care about the bulletins — yes, maybe way TOO much — but they do care
5. No issue is too small or too trivial to be complained about
4. G*d will laugh when you tell G*d your plans for the day, month, year — G*d really is in charge of all plans and schedules
3. Babies are better held by the parents than by the pastor at Baptisms
2. Spouses, partners and family members are truly “partners in ministry” as much as anyone else in the church — and my wife is my best friend, colleague and support — and my family members are a blessing

And the top thing I have learned after ten years of being a pastor…..

1. G*d is good all the time, and all the time G*d is good 🙂

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 12, 2015
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Who’s Serve is it? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 12, 2015

Jesus entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

“Master,” she said, “don’t you care that my sister leaves me to do all of this alone? Tell her to help me. I know she won’t leave you unless you tell her to, so entrancing are your words. But the dinner must be made ready and one pair of hands is not enough.” Then the Lord, who was delighted with the devotion of both women, did not chide the attachment of Mary, nor did he blame the complaint of Martha, though he leaned to Mary. “Martha…Don’t be so worried about getting the dinner and all worked up about many things. Mary has chosen….to forget the things of the body and to be concerned for the things of the soul.” Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536)
Erasmus of Christendom translated by Roland Bainton “For All The Saints” volume IV (p. 69)

When we look at this encounter between Mary, Martha and Jesus, we should be conflicted about who we praise — Mary or Martha. In this particular instance, I think half of us would think we should be showing impeccable hospitality — while the other half believe that, when we are in the presence of our Lord, we should sit and listen to everything he has to say. Good hospitality was critical in the time of Jesus – especially good hospitality shown by the women — not that good hospitality is not important today. But when we view this text from 2000 years out, it seems “obvious” to us that Mary should have been helping her sister. How dare she sit and do nothing. And yet she dared. And Jesus praises her for sitting, while Jesus does not condemn Martha for serving. Thus both are praised and lifted up for us as models of faithful living. Sometimes we are called to sit and listen — other times we are called to show good hospitality and be good servants. We need to find that good balance in our lives where we are doing enough of both.

How can we show better hospitality in the church? How can you be a better servant for Christ’s sake?

Pastor Dave