Week #6 People--Campus Vs Church

Thursday 2/26/09
Nick Smith

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about getting along with people in these to settings is the difference in roles. Right now in the school setting I am primarily hear to learn. I get along with people for a couple of reasons: I work with them, I am in a class assigned group with them, they are a close friend, or they have likable qualities that I am naturally drawn to (which is honestly a very small group of people in this particular major). So basically at school, I get along with those I have to and avoid those who I do not get along with. Its not that I don’t know how to get along with people, its just that now I have the choice to avoid.
At church, my role will again be different. A pastor’s aim is to get along with everyone and the biggest difference is that I cannot avoid those I don’t get along with. My primary goal as pastor is to show Christ’s love and give members many opportunities to respond to that love in many different ways.
I know that there are some understandable conflicts in my college life and where I think I should be as a pastor on this issue. But, I am 22 years old. I don’t have my entire life figured out right now and when I am at school that is my primary focus. When I am a pastor, people will be my focus. Right now, I am trusting that my education will help me take care of the logistics of being a pastor; sermon preparation, administration, etc. So if I do not make school my focus now, then people will never really be my full focus in ministry down the road.

Difference Observations:
1. The Roles are different between school life and pastoral life.
2. The Role of student is learning.
3. The Role of pastor is people.
4. I am 22 and don’t have life figured out quite yet.