A Contract

I’ve been thinking about the Preacher at the Church I attend. He seems like a pretty bright guy, a good leader, and he has a fairly successful history over the course of his ministry. The truth is, however, he could be out tomorrow – asked to turn in his keys and clean out his desk. It wouldn’t take much – sometimes no more than a single congregant who is miffed over some unintended strike of the Sword.

It just doesn’t seem fair. Teachers/Professors get tenure. Ball players get guaranteed contracts. Industry CEO’s get golden parachutes, Politicians get their salary and benefits for life. Preachers get  a room full of folks who tend to get a little bent on occasion and suggest a quick departure for the big guy.

Rick Porcello of the Boston Red Sox avoided arbitration and signed a one-year contract for 2015 worth $12.5 million. Just as the season started, he signed an extension, a four-year, $82.5 million contract to begin in 2016. The kicker being that Porcello’s deal is fully guaranteed the moment he signed it. (Business Insider)

Playing baseball, basketball, or football is certainly important in our society, but Preachers (if they are doing what they are supposed to do) are doing the most important work in the World – clearly and accurately proclaiming the Word of God. If he is not one of the TV wonders, he wouldn’t see that kind of money in a dozen lifetimes. It is possible some get “guaranteed” contracts, but I don’t know of any who do. Ours doesn’t. He, like almost all the others, is “on the bubble” every time he opens his mouth.

I suppose a contract is out of the question, and asking him to pull his punches once in a while might not be too much to ask. There are some things the folks down at the Church might do, however, in lieu of a contract – pray for him on a regular basis. Talk to his face, not behind his back. Take him to lunch once in a while, and try to realize that he most likely didn’t have you in mind at all when he said “that.”