Ministers of the Word and Sacrifice

The other day, one of my colleagues intended to say “Ministers of the Word and Sacrament” which is what we call ordained clergy in the Presbyterian Church USA. But what came out were the words “Ministers of the Word and Sacrifice.”

Please note that blood sacrifices are not required of any of us – clergy, teachers, toll takers, corporate bankers or any other profession or faith tradition, unless you are part of the Baka Tribe or any small number of religious sects or cults who adhere to ancient ways.

Nevertheless some of us have been known to have terrible boundaries in terms of our work lives to the point of martyrdom or unnecessary sacrifice. I missed Senior Night at my son’s last high school lacrosse game for a Session meeting. This was a mistake. I should have missed the Session meeting – or rescheduled it.

We are not called to schedule a wedding on the day of our child’s birthday. We are not called to leave the death bed of a beloved pet in order to attend a committee meeting. We are not called to sacrifice our families for the sake of the Church. Yes, Jesus said this. And also these situations are tough. What if the holier thing is to tend to relationships?

In my 42+ years of professional ministry, I have cancelled a desperately-needed vacation to bury a beloved pillar of the church. I have also left town the weekend of the organist’s daughter’s wedding because my Mom was dying in Chapel Hill. (But I sacrificed having my clergy husband join me to say good-bye to my Mom. He stayed behind to officiate at the wedding.)

Yes, we are Ministers of Word and Sacrifice. But mostly we are Ministers of Word and Sacrament. The tricky part is discerning which of our commitments are the most holy. My first thought is that it’s all about tending to relationships.

Image is Emile the goat from the Season 2 finale of Severance. Emile was spared but other sacrifices were made.