The other day my family and I went to visit some friends from our church who just had a baby. The parking lot at the hospital was full (imagine that) so I carefully pulled into the ‘clergy’ spot.
This of course was a completely legal move since it was a pastoral visit. However, I remain uneasy about the whole ‘clergy’ label.
This got me to wondering why I have such a bad taste in my mouth about the label.
Maybe it is perception I have of the clergy as being skinny effeminate men who wear funny costumes, backwards collars, and look more shady than shepherdly.
Or maybe it is the uncomfortable distinction that is drawn so rigidly by the term between clergy and laity.
Or perhaps still it is the import of Roman Catholic theology and the (unnecessary) office of the priest.
For whatever reason, I tend to associate clergy with a professional religious official who makes his living by blowing enough smoke and banging enough bells so as to blind and deafen all people from hearing the truth. Maybe I’m just jaded.
I will gladly and I pray humbly, go by pastor or shepherd, the one who leads, feeds, and protects the flock of Christ rather than cleric or clergyman. But at the same time I’ll gladly park my sled in a reserved space like this without violating my conscience.
Thankfully this sign served to remind me of what God’s job description for the pastor is and is not (1 Tim. 3 & Titus 1).
I’m curious as to what your initial reaction is to ‘clergy’ and why you suppose it is so.
(btw, I am flashing a secret sign to all other Calvinists out there…you know who you are)