Two real covenant brothers consistently wrestle with me about sabbat.
They are convinced of my disobedience in failing to keep personal sabbat to honor Him and allow Him to refresh me.
Yeah, I'm guilty; and can't help myself.
While I need to go deeper in personal intimacy with Him via sabbat to honor Him and know Him better to make Him known better, I've become rather OCD about renunciation of self.
But, again, yeah, they're right.
Surprisingly, one of 'em suggested I read Peterson's The Pastor.
I say surprisingly because he knows my low regard for most pastors these days who seem to care more about pensions, perks, and popularity than the penitential/pastoral/prophetic call.
In other words, I just know too many pastors who are such wimps and cater, as Dylan sings, to wandering desires like errand boys for everybody but Jesus.
I don't see many cubs for the Lion of Judah.
Be that as it may be which will surely spark defensiveness and nasty notes from those paid to be holy, there are two other reasons why I didn't want to read it.
Parenthetically, I've been pathetically guilty of the sins catalogued in the previous sentence-paragraph.
Second, I confess a little jealousy in that he's outselling anything that I've ever written by about two trillion to one.
But the recommendation/direction came from a real covenant brother; and unlike posers, real covenant brothers pay attention to each other and wrestle with each and hang in with each other in a quest to know Him better and make Him known better.
Peterson's book isn't a pity party for pastors.
Actually, except for book sales, fame, and vocational efficacy, I really, really, really identified with his descriptive and prescriptive metaphorical memories.
I don't find it especially challenging, convicting, or comforting.
I find it...honest; and with so many posers polluting the vocation, it's refreshing to read something about an authentic call to the penitential/pastoral/prophetic office.
I'm not going to cheat you of the tasty, nutritious, and energizing solid food on just about every page.
The Pastor could help revolutionize/regenerate a vocation that's lost touch with its...Founder.
BTW, our covenant group is discussing it for a few hours on Friday.
I recommend it to yours.
It would also be a good book for adult Sunday School classes to read because maybe, just maybe, prayerfully maybe, their pastors would then be encouraged/freed to be, uh, genuine undershepherds in keeping with the Good Shepherd.
Yeah, my brothers are right.
We need to be obedient; which includes seizing sabbat.
May I also recommend two books by the better PTS professor, Dr.Andrew Purves, The Crucifixion of Ministry, and The Resurrection of Ministry.
He's a fine Biblical/Reformed theologian; who is a gem amid the fiberglass in the PCUSA.
I doubt that you would define ‘resting and refreshing’ for you is found in leading a church session meeting. Ha ha. BUT, I suspect your choice for rest and refreshment is well known to you and it is that which keeps you going. The idea that sabbat should be “do nothing” would be anything but refreshing to someone (ie., you!) who feels th e need to be ‘doing something’ or they are wasting precious time.