A Parable About God’s Call

By Terrence O’Casey

Some former ministers can be the preacher”s greatest ally, while others can make him want to quit. Some churches can be like the wild mustangs of the West. They buck every move the preacher suggests, but when they finally trust him, what a great ride they give.

The rugged Steen Mountains of Eastern Oregon soar to more than 9,000 cloud-haloed feet. Down in the glaciated bowls carved out below the ridges, one occasionally catches a glimpse of the magnificent wild mustangs called Keigers. These sleek animals have never felt a bit in their mouth, a saddle on their back, or a whip to their rump. They run with the speed of a summer lightning bolt and soar over range fences like they have wings.

They are so successful in the wild, occasionally some must be caught and domesticated in order to thin the herds. A horse that”s never had a rider finds it difficult to get used to such a burden. At the annual Pendleton Round Up, thousands of spectators watch as these powerful animals experience their first saddle, cinch strap, and set of spurs.

O preacher, imagine you are the rider and the horse is a ministry in a “spirited” or difficult church that has tremendous potential. Rider after rider has tried to get on. Up they fly””not the horse, but the riders. Down they are flung””not the mustang, but the head-over-heels victims. Over the steel rail they go””not the galloping steed, but the broken cowboys.

Beaten, bruised, and bloodied the thrown wranglers take their places as spectators. They are like those who left the ministry, hurt, bleeding, discouraged . . . and sometimes with a cow chip on their shoulder. Then, O preacher, it is your turn!

The gate opens and the majestic mare seems to leap over the moon””and you are still on her. She bucks hard to the right and then up, up, up, but you hang on. She races forward, then stops to throw you, but you manage to keep hold of the reins.

Then you hear “em, the former riders thrown from the saddle long ago:

“Give it up, you don”t know what you are doing.”

“Better bail before you get bounced into the rafters.”

You, O preacher, begin to believe the voices of the defeated. Monday morning doubts fill your mind. You glance through the e-lists of open churches at [email protected]. Then you hear it again.

“Jump, you ain”t got what it takes!”

“You ain”t ridin” like we did in the “50s. What”s wrong with you?”

O Preacher, look at those who are giving you advice. They are “the thrown.” They are those who quit. They couldn”t stay on, so they mounted the bleachers to bellow advice. You almost listened to their calls instead of God”s. You nearly gave up and took a seat next to them””joining the boisterous taunts to any new bronco rider foolish enough to rely on God.

You, O preacher, are jerked around, bent, and bruised by the mare, but you are still riding. Most importantly””that magnificent mare is calming down. She is learning to trust your voice. You trust her footing as she walks over rocky times.

You, O preacher, are riding a Keiger mustang! She is yours and you are hers. You stayed in the saddle despite what former riders/ministers said. You didn”t conquer her. You won her over, and she won you over. Together in a wonderful rhythm, you ride off into the sunset for a long ministry in the same church. You stayed in the saddle of the Lord”s call. So, to whom are you listening? Do not sit in the bleachers when you can ride in the saddle!

Remember the words of a veteran horse rider to his student:

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day””and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:5-8).

 

 

If you have been in ministry in the past, please remember:

Today”s church is not your father”s Oldsmobile. Ministering in the 1970s is very different than ministering today.

Feed, in a noncritical way, new ideas to your minister: newspaper articles, helpful Internet resources, sermon tapes, and “atta boys.”

Pray, don”t prey. Our criticisms have little effect in comparison with godly prayer. Do not ask the Men”s Ministry Prayer Breakfast to hold the pastor up in prayer because you have noticed he is not doing his job well. Prayer is best offered in a closet, not on the Pharisee”s spotlight.

Be a strong advocate for the minister getting additional training, schooling, or a much-needed sabbatical.

Be your minister”s greatest defender out in the open.

And most importantly, if you are one of the thrown, give yourself some time to heal. Then consider going out and buying a saddle! Get back on that mustang even as a volunteer and ride again! We need you!

 

 

If you are still in the saddle, consider:

All jobs have critics, whether a schoolteacher, a city administrator, or a lawyer.

Mistakes in riding are not grounds for getting off. Be nice to yourself even if others are not.

Set strong boundaries. You may need to say, “Don”t trash-talk me!” Or, “Don”t tell me that “˜several people” are upset and then not tell me who they are.”

Have strong elders who will lasso runaway horses or protect you from a stampede.

Above all, stay in that saddle!

 

 

Terry O’Casey ministers with Seaside Christian Church in Warrenton, Oregon.