tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post1482174172040537615..comments2023-05-25T07:17:05.918-04:00Comments on Abide in My Word: A Clergy Optional Church?Rev. Thomas C. Messer, SSPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740553600700598394noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-73200312951369827982013-08-12T00:45:49.412-04:002013-08-12T00:45:49.412-04:00"I have personally experienced the clergy rul...<i>"I have personally experienced the clergy ruling over the congregation as if it were his personal business."</i><br /><br />I'm guessing the clergy was personally clothed in flesh. And I further guess that the enfleshed cleric was properly called by the warrior-sheep El Cid and his colleagues, so as to be staffed and rodded by the cleric if need be. And for El Cid's "comfort", according to the finger of holy God (Ps 23). Even His chastisements flow from mercy!<br /><br />I have personally read about an anointed of God with 3000 men in hot pursuit of a saint, i.e., David (1 Sam 26:2). David was urged by Abishai to take matter into in his own hands while he had the golden chance, to give the order for Abishai to personally pin bossy King Saul to the ground with a spear, because the King was giving David "the business."<br /><br />And you know what St. David, that man after the Lord's own heart, barked to Abishai? He said "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives ... the LORD Himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD <b>forbid</b> that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed."<br /><br />You can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed, with evil intent, in more ways than brandishing a spear. A tongue will do. So will an attitude. These are serious things. Words like "Raca," says Christ Jesus, can earn a one-way ticket to hell. Bears mauled some teenagers quite badly, for mocking and despising the man of God (Elisha).<br /><br />Our Lutheran clergy have been ordained by the laying on of hands (Acts 8), by which means they have been anointed with the Holy Spirit to preach God's Word, and to serve and administer God's Word in edible and washing forms ... all, for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. He the orthodox Lutheran cleric is the under-shepherd of our dear crucified LORD, but he is not a hireling to be fired on the mere whim or offended ego of a sheep. It had better be the under-shepherd's "personal business" to take his job seriously, with a dignified formality and with accountability ... in light of the demeanor of the Boss (Rev. 1:12-16), who stands there in the midst of golden lampstands (which entities, symbolize the congregations of God). Christ is Present in our churches, St. John of Patmos perceives. He knows what's going on, and <i>He</i> will judge actions accordingly and deal out proper justice and rewards ... not El Cid, and not collar-counting ex-prexies.<br /><br />Now then, gentlemen. If David could graciously put up with the antics of the anointed Saul ... for just and righteous principle and reverence for God ... then perhaps the El Cids of this world can find the courage and patience of a saint to put up with those also touched by God, by His will, if not by oil then through means of hands. Let's pray for the El Cids of the congregation, of the synod, and of the world at large, to be more like David. <br /><br />See, David the warrior was dealing with a man seized by an evil spirit ... a spirit sorely wishing to terminate the line of David, and the fleshly ancestors of the Incarnate God. El Cid the warrior was probably dealing, at most, with someone's noisome personality (or maybe a faithful wielder of the shepherd's tools). <br /><br />So which warrior-man was facing the tussle of his life? <br /><br />Your (unworthy) servant,<br />Herr Doktor, S.S.P.Michael L. Anderson, M.D., Ph.Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158953802996685938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-34603234313317377652013-08-10T15:32:00.430-04:002013-08-10T15:32:00.430-04:00El Cid--I have personal experience with being forc...El Cid--I have personal experience with being forced out of a Call by the lay leaders of the congregation for reasons having nothing to do with false doctrine, gross and unrepentant sin, or an inability to do the work to which I was Called. <br /><br />Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-32988991990735013542013-08-10T15:28:57.006-04:002013-08-10T15:28:57.006-04:00I have personally experienced the clergy ruling ov...I have personally experienced the clergy ruling over the congregation as if it were his personal business.El Cidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10541350679599893588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-19589137544441617082013-08-03T13:28:12.072-04:002013-08-03T13:28:12.072-04:00Perhaps, as well, a major case of "sour grape...Perhaps, as well, a major case of "sour grapes" as the delegates weren't treated to a sock spinning rendition of "spin me, Jesus!", see pastoral meanderings for the full context of that reference. Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09350908137437557142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-59217121975295216972013-08-03T13:07:03.356-04:002013-08-03T13:07:03.356-04:00Too many words (though I agree with them all) Fr. ...Too many words (though I agree with them all) Fr. Thomas.<br />I could have blogged the same with brevity: "Jerry is an ass!"Jay Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13482261288019583877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-91288987215379978942013-08-03T10:01:51.221-04:002013-08-03T10:01:51.221-04:00I thought it was interesting that Jerry uses Ephes...I thought it was interesting that Jerry uses Ephesians 4, which speaks entirely of clergy, to say that there is evidence in Scripture that lay people should also be involved in the service of the Church. Rev. Paul L. Beiselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165560935974759610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-50094737372999775862013-08-02T23:32:46.960-04:002013-08-02T23:32:46.960-04:00I'm a writer. Word theft is an art form. *wink...I'm a writer. Word theft is an art form. *wink*Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-82580145219964125692013-08-02T18:23:24.572-04:002013-08-02T18:23:24.572-04:00LOL! I notice you forget the (tm) as well, brother...LOL! I notice you forget the (tm) as well, brother. ;)Rev. Thomas C. Messer, SSPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13740553600700598394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2978485750390455025.post-41340209316859103892013-08-02T18:06:34.096-04:002013-08-02T18:06:34.096-04:00Did you ask permission to use the word "ablaz...Did you ask permission to use the word "ablaze"?Rev. Alan Kornacki, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07322307218829558622noreply@blogger.com