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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"If God Gave Out Awards"
February 3, 2010
The announcement read, "Star Trek Up For Four Academy Awards." As
a trekkie I was excited. Best movie of 2009? Probably not, but my mind
went to work. Zachary Quinto or Chris Pine could get best actor. Zoe
Saldana and Eric Bana were great as supporting cast. Then I read the copy
under the headline. " Star Trek has received 4 Academy Award nominations
including Best Make Up, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best
Visual Effects. Congratulations to all of our nominees!"
I don't want to slight the winners in these four wonderful categories but
when people make big announcements about movie awards, they usually
break the news that they are up for something major.
I have never heard anyone say "Can you believe the sound editing in the
picture. I was blown away. They should get an academy award!" Of course
I'm with the crowd that gets Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine. I
like to see who is on the red carpet or talking to David Letterman. How
many people really care about what happens back stage or in the editing
room?
Then a sobering thought hit me. The same thing often happens in our
faith communities. People identify with the people who are out front leading
worship. Everyone knows Monsignor Tony Rosaforte. Rabbi Charles Arian
is becoming an icon in the community. Dr. Barbara White is one of the
inspirational leaders in the area.
Yet all of us in ministry know that the real heroes in the local churches
and synagogues are the faithful people who work in the background. It's the
Sunday or Sabbath School teachers who deserve the credit for a vital
ministry. It's the ushers and greeters, the choir members, the trustees and
office staff members who should get an award for insuring everything is
ready for worship each week.
It is dozens of faithful people who give of themselves each week that
really serve to make or break a congregation as it tries to live out its calling.
So maybe those people in the background should get more credit for what
they do. When they do their jobs well they make us look good.
Have you ever seen the stars without their make up? Just skim through
the pages of the National Enquirer. Have you ever heard the singers before
the songs are mixed and edited? They'd make Simon Cowell cringe. So God
bless all who work in the background of our faith communities answering
the call of God. May you be rewarded by the One we serve, with the words
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
God bless. See you in church. Cal
February 3, 2010
The announcement read, "Star Trek Up For Four Academy Awards." As
a trekkie I was excited. Best movie of 2009? Probably not, but my mind
went to work. Zachary Quinto or Chris Pine could get best actor. Zoe
Saldana and Eric Bana were great as supporting cast. Then I read the copy
under the headline. " Star Trek has received 4 Academy Award nominations
including Best Make Up, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best
Visual Effects. Congratulations to all of our nominees!"
I don't want to slight the winners in these four wonderful categories but
when people make big announcements about movie awards, they usually
break the news that they are up for something major.
I have never heard anyone say "Can you believe the sound editing in the
picture. I was blown away. They should get an academy award!" Of course
I'm with the crowd that gets Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine. I
like to see who is on the red carpet or talking to David Letterman. How
many people really care about what happens back stage or in the editing
room?
Then a sobering thought hit me. The same thing often happens in our
faith communities. People identify with the people who are out front leading
worship. Everyone knows Monsignor Tony Rosaforte. Rabbi Charles Arian
is becoming an icon in the community. Dr. Barbara White is one of the
inspirational leaders in the area.
Yet all of us in ministry know that the real heroes in the local churches
and synagogues are the faithful people who work in the background. It's the
Sunday or Sabbath School teachers who deserve the credit for a vital
ministry. It's the ushers and greeters, the choir members, the trustees and
office staff members who should get an award for insuring everything is
ready for worship each week.
It is dozens of faithful people who give of themselves each week that
really serve to make or break a congregation as it tries to live out its calling.
So maybe those people in the background should get more credit for what
they do. When they do their jobs well they make us look good.
Have you ever seen the stars without their make up? Just skim through
the pages of the National Enquirer. Have you ever heard the singers before
the songs are mixed and edited? They'd make Simon Cowell cringe. So God
bless all who work in the background of our faith communities answering
the call of God. May you be rewarded by the One we serve, with the words
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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