tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36909534.post116414191233463378..comments2023-05-26T06:52:24.087-07:00Comments on Garden of Gethsemane: Pastor or Buddy?Brett Corneliushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06085614265352404998noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36909534.post-1164392401146535582006-11-24T10:20:00.000-08:002006-11-24T10:20:00.000-08:00Pr Fenton told me nine years ago that I needed a f...Pr Fenton told me nine years ago that I needed a father-confessor that wasn't my husband. He was right. It's been a blessing to have someone that I don't eat with, sleep with, spank kids with, drive with, vacation with, etc etc.<BR/><BR/>I knew intellectually when I started going to my father-confessor that it would mean he could no longer be my friend. But it took at least a year before I realized how very true it was. And I miss having him as a friend. Sometimes I wish I could be friends with him. But never would I give up having him as PASTOR to replace it with friendship. That doesn't mean that pastors can't watch a game and have a beer with parishioners. But somehow, it's different for the pastors with his "friends" than with his parishioners, and it's somehow different for the parishioners with their "friends" than with their pastor.<BR/><BR/>My pastor also pointed out to me a year or so ago the importance of some of the rituals associated with private confession. The lit candles, the vestments, the particular place in the chancel, the Bible readings, the pastor's prayers before and after -- these all set the pastor/penitent relationship in its proper place and separate it from any outside relationship between the two people (such as being an employee or fellow Buckeye fan or member of the same homeschool co-op).Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16152213210269075304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36909534.post-1164225592925319162006-11-22T11:59:00.000-08:002006-11-22T11:59:00.000-08:00Polly, I appreciate your editing and am glad to be...Polly, I appreciate your editing and am glad to be your pastor and friend.Brett Corneliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06085614265352404998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36909534.post-1164225511689897152006-11-22T11:58:00.000-08:002006-11-22T11:58:00.000-08:00Joe, you had me at beers!Joe, you had me at beers!Brett Corneliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06085614265352404998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36909534.post-1164216148399580722006-11-22T09:22:00.000-08:002006-11-22T09:22:00.000-08:00I think there's room for both. Obviously Pastor an...I think there's room for both. Obviously Pastor and Father Confessor first but that shouldn't mean we can't watch the game and have a few beers.<BR/><BR/>JoeJoe Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07943906107649266856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36909534.post-1164145770985715092006-11-21T13:49:00.000-08:002006-11-21T13:49:00.000-08:00I can see how this can be a problem. It's because ...I can see how this can be a problem. It's because we're all getting older. You are the first pastor we've had who is of the same generation.<BR/><BR/>I think this is also a good reason for pastors to wear collars all the time -- it creates some distance.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Signed,<BR/>A friend who changes your name in the newsletter from Pastor Brett to Pastor Cornelius.Genuine Lustrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397566905693730324noreply@blogger.com