Why Pastors Are Not Geeks!!??

An Apology (?) by
The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Eschelbach

My first reaction to Rev. Kind's invitation to write this article was, "Thanks a lot, Dave! Why not just ask me to argue that 'the world is flat' or that 'it doesn't matter what a person believes as long as he or she believes something!'" But it is now 2 a.m. and this question will not leave me alone. What if I am a ...?

Before arguing that pastors are not "GEEKS," perhaps we should be certain what a geek is. After all, I could be one, in which case my objectivity would be clouded. According to Daniel Webster, a "geek" is "a carnival performer, often billed as a wild man ..."

The fact is many pastors are geeks! Just as many pastors are short, fat, funny looking, or odd, while some are tall, dark, and handsome, and even kind. The seminary does not require men to be geeks, nor to complete a course on "geekonomics" before they are eligible for a call. These peculiarities are not cast upon the man by the office but brought to the office by the man. There! A fairly compelling defense, wouldn't you agree? Geeks, over there! Men in black, over here! The important thing to remember is this is not a necessary condition of the Office of the Ministry. Or is it?

Paul may have already given the case away by confession (without having consulted the counsel for the defense). He wrote to the Corinthians, "we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake!" The Office of the Ministry raises a man up to a most honorable work, though not in the eyes of the world. The pastorate goes far beyond the Hollywood images of tough cowboys, macho cops, or suave spies, for "our warfare is not against flesh and blood but against invisible powers and principalities." While an independent observer may still detect certain "geekish" features slipping out around the edges of a man's clerical collar, a faithful pastor is still a force to be reckoned with. A pastor bears both the dignity and responsibility of representing Christ publicly in the administration of the means of grace. As a servant of the most high God, to people in spiritual distress, the pastor looks like Clint Eastwood, Arnold Swarzeneger, and James Bond rolled into one. If the world reproaches us for our service to the Lord, we may calmly reply, "Go ahead, make my day!"

The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Eschelbach is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Sandusky, Michigan.