Study That Delights In What Is

One of the books on my reading list for this summer is Gordon Lathrop’s The Pastor: A Spirituality (Fortress Press, 2006). It’s a short book but it’s by no means a quick read. I found myself lingered over each page. Lathrop, a renowned liturgical theologian, has written this book for working pastors, urging them to engage in a “life-long catechumenate.” Part two of the book is entitled, “Living from the Liturgy: A Little Catechism for the Pastor.” Using the Creed, Commandments, Baptism, the Supper, and the Keys, Lathrop writes about the pastor in study and prayer, in daily living, and in dying. One section which especially piqued my interest was the section on study. “Study belongs to the life of the pastor,” writes Lathrop. “Pastors owe it to their congregations, as a moral obligation of their vocation, to be persons of study.” But the study he urges is not simply going to a workshop to learn the latest evangelism or stewardship techniques, though that, too, has its place. “Pastors really do need to pay attention to what is – with curiosity following questions that genuinely interest them, apart from all utility, with joy delighting in the play of words and their interesting mediating relationships with other people’s experiences of the world.” I trust that you summer schedule has slowed down enough to allow you some time for “study that delights in what is.” I look forward to seeing many of you at Holden in September. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time. Registrations don’t close until August 25th. You can download a brochure and a registration form at www.lensnw.org. God bless your ministry and your study. jpr