Today, I decided to go for the longest post title ever. Your suggestions for a more concise title are welcome.
Speaking of blog post titles, today I want to link you to something at Pyromaniacs which Dan Phillips has provocatively titled, Porn and Paper Pastors.
While regular readers here know that I’m not likely to start a fan page for the Team Pyro writers anytime soon, I’m not about to write them off when they get it right like they do with this one, which basically equates the “not real” aspect of the people in the porn images to the “not real” aspect of the superstar Christian TV preachers and authors that so many — especially here in the Christian blogosphere — tend to idolize.
…They never half-listen, never have an appointment that cuts short their time. Their office hours are your office hours. They’re available 24/7, and everywhere, at your whim, and you always have their undivided attention.
What’s more is they always have all the answers! They can tell you with complete confidence and masterful eloquence. They never stammer, guess, nor search their memory. And they can prove it — whatever they’re saying! With footnotes!
And these paper pastors maintain the perfect distance. If you don’t want to hear something, they don’t press it…
When you’re done reading the full article, I hope you appreciate the real pastor; the one you have. He doesn’t write as well as Max, preach as eloquently as Andy or dress like Pete; and that’s the way God intended it.
I haven’t gone to the link yet, but your excerpt made me think/smile. I love the humanity of my pastor. But the balance is there. I don’t really want him making public confessions of his weaknesses and foibles, but on the other hand I don’t want an untouchable super-hero.
Comment by Cynthia — April 3, 2011 @ 1:03 pm