It was my first Sunday leading worship at First Presbyterian, White Bear Lake.Everything was running smoothly and we were on track to get done right on time if not a couple of minutes early! Then it came time for the offering.
In the same way I have done it for years, I stood up, announced the offering and invited the ushers to come forward to take up the offering and then I went and sat down. Nothing happened, no one moved, the choir director stood up to lead the offertory but the choir didn't start to sing and the ushers didn't come forward. Then Philip, the choir director called out to me as he waved the offering plates in my direction... I was supposed to have waited at the front for the ushers to come and get the plates.
Now, that I had the plates I took my place and the ushers came forward, all four of them. But I only had two plates? I made a quick joke about not being able to perform miracles of multiplication and wasn't sure how to divide two offering plates between four ushers when one of the choir members graciously handed me the other two plates. The congregation let out a good laugh and on we went. Rookie mistake.
The most common comment after the service was that it was good for people to see that I was human. I know I carry a resident alien card, but I promise you its not like Men In Black, its not a disguise, I really am part of the human race!
Historically we have tended to put our pastors on a pedestal. Some pastors put themselves on a pedestal. We are one of the few groups left in society who are frequently given a title with our name, Pator... Rev... Father... We are at times given an elevated position in the Body of Christ that we may not deserve.
As for me, my mother named me Neil and that's good enough for me, I don't need or want any other title. I'd like to be known as a man of God, a passionate follower of Christ who inspires others to follow Christ as well, but there's no need for a special title.
