The empty chair

Pastor Jeffery Clements from the Northern Illinois Synod got me thinking:

In recent years I have noted two contrasting things happening simultaneously. As the roles of the presiding and assisting ministers in Holy Communion have become better defined in LBW and ELW, a number of worship leaders have apparently abdicated their roles as leaders.

I was recently the guest preacher in a congregation outside of our synod. I asked the pastor where he wanted me to sit during worship. “Oh, just sit wherever you want. You can go sit with your wife.” So, I sat in about the fourth pew where my wife was seated. The other pastors sat in different sections. As the worship began I wondered who was in charge.

I understand a pastor’s desire to be part of the congregation. I understand the need to be a worshiper in the assembly. However, I think we too easily diminish the role to which the congregation has called the pastor. I have been left wondering if we (both lay and clergy leaders) are afraid to lead, even in worship.

Is he right?  Are we afraid to lead?  Why are we afraid to lead?  I have some ideas banging around in my head but I want to reflect a bit before I commit to cyberspace what I am thinking.  Feel free to comment to help the process.

This entry was posted on May 28, 2009 at 7:38 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.