Ministerial Misunderstandings
November 16, 2007
While it is often par for the course to be considered a pastor/priest/rabbi because one studies the Hebrew Bible, I can’t remember a week in which I had people ask me if I were all three in the course of three days.
Why is it that folks assume that the only people studying the Bible are also of the cloth?
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Ketuvim: the Writings of James R. Getz Jr. 
See, that’s so fascinating. I tend to find people are surprised when they hear that I’m a youth pastor and studying the Bible.
Probably it’s because most people think that if you’re studying the Bible you’re getting paid to do so, and for most people that means pastor/priest/rabbi.
Calvin,
People are surprised that a youth pastor is studying the Bible? What do they expect you to be studying?
Jamison,
Well, yeah. Of course, I get paid to study the Bible too. I just have to work more than one day a week 😉
Indeed. I think they expect something along the lines of adolescent psychology. Perhaps its not so much the studying the Bible bit, as much as its getting a graduate degree in what amounts to, in their minds, Bible study. Can’t wait until I try for a doctorate of some type.
OK, let’s quit the “one day a week” line already! Especially since it’s also supposedly one of my days off! It’s got to be quantum….
Of course, I think folks think that because the Bible is “The Church’s Book” and that’s where they expect people to be who are studying that book as a vocation. It’s wrong, but not wrong – it’s quantum!
I’m in the ministry and have worked 56 hours a week for the last 6 years. And I love it. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
If it’s any consolation, Giant, it was a joke. A long standing joke that I make to wezlo because I know that he is often both up early and burning the midnight oil as a pastor.
BTW: I hope you are getting some vacation times as well. Remember, ancient Israel also had the occasional festivals in addition to the weekly Sabbaths.
Clergy study the Bible ?!?!?
It’s because the rest of us are “too busy” during the rest of the week to do so. 😉