a pastor

I am encouraged (once again) by Eugene Peterson's reflections on pastoral ministry. Commenting on the high rate of people leaving ministry, and of churches desiring more effective or successful "leaders" he writes:

I wonder if at the root of the defection is a cultural assumption that all leaders are people who “get things done,” and “make things happen.” That is certainly true of the primary leadership models that seep into our awareness from the culture – politicians, businessmen, advertisers, publicists, celebrities, and athletes. But while being a pastor certainly has some of these components, the pervasive element in our two-thousand year pastoral tradition is not someone who “gets things done” but rather the person placed in the community to pay attention and call attention to “what is going on right now” between men and women, with one another and with God – this kingdom of God that is primarily local, relentlessly personal, and prayerful “without ceasing.”

(The Pastor, Eugene Peterson, p. 5)

the way of the cross on behalf of the powerless

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minority Affairs was assassinated.

An advocate for minorities Bhatti was outspoken, bold and fearless in protecting their rights. Among his life accomplishments Bhatti received the International Religious Freedom Award for rendering services to the Christian community, becoming the first Pakistani to receive this prestigious award.

Bhatti had defied death threats since the assassination of Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer on Jan 4. Taseer was killed for supporting Asia Noreen, the first Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan on blasphemy charges. Bhatti was Pakistan’s only cabinet-level Christian and was in charge of a committee to amend the law against blasphemy.

In this compelling video recorded several months ago Bhatti conceded that he was “the highest target right now” but vowed to continue his work and trusting his life to God.