The discussion centered, not around the church, this week, but, rather, an incident that had happened at the university. The group could not agree about whether they, as seminary students, should have been participants in a demonstration against actions of the government some deemed immoral. The discussion now converged on their roles in such an incident, and what their stance in such a case should be when they were ordained.
“We must always be ready to stand up and proclaim ‘wrong’ what is wrong,” Susan declared.
“Well, that’s easy for you to say, Susan, you’re always ready to jump in where you’re not asked,” Jim responded.
“Who says you have to be asked to do what’s right?” demanded Susan.
“Hold on a minute,” intoned Jeff. “Things are not always as clear cut as we seem to make them. I mean there were a lot of things to consider. First, what’s the role of pastors in this kind of situation. In fact, what’s the real role of the church in this kind of thing? And, if we have a role to play here, what avenues should those roles take? I mean, things are sometimes more complicated that we want. We need to study the correct response.
“Oh, for the love of the organized church,” Susan chirped, “you want to appoint a committee to right a wrong?”
“I didn’t say that,” Jeff replied.
“You’re right, Jeff,” Susan said, irritation evident in her voice, “You never say anything. You’re a wimp.”
“I beg your pardon,” Jeff offered.
“Well, beg it all you want. It won’t change the fact that you’re a wimp.”
Jeff leaned back into his seat. The parson inwardly smiled. He wondered if Jeff was contemplating the correct response to someone as dynamic as Susan.
The discussion continued with nothing being resolved. Half the group thought protesting, vocally and persistently, anything that was considered immoral was the correct and demanded role of a Christian. The other half of the group felt that things should be handled with more circumspect.
Alice, one of the quieter ones, who’d not taken part in the conversation finally said, “Pastor, what do you think?”
“Well, I have to admit not everyone feels the role of the pastor is necessarily to oppose evil in the manner of public protests and such . . . . the parson was saying when Susan interrupted.
“Oh, please help us Jesus. Not you, too.”
“I don’t know if it’s me too or not, Susan. Let me tell you a story.”
The group rolled their eyes. The parson had lots of stories.
The parson related: “Henry David Thoreau was once thrown into prison for refusing to pay his taxes because a portion of it went to support the Mexican War. While he was in prison, Ralph Waldo Emerson came to visit him in his cell. Emerson looked through the bars and said to Thoreau, “Thoreau, what are you doing in there?”
Thoreau replied, “Waldo, what are you doing out there?”
“Amen,” proclaimed Susan. “And thank you, Jesus!”
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