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Pr. Sophie on The Lutheran Handbook for Pastors
Abstract: Pr. Sophie reviews the Lutheran Handbook for Pastors.
Pr. Sophie Fortresson, our resident expert on all matters of theology, Lutheran etiquette, and social protocol, answers questions submitted by our readers and occasionally simply volunteers advice when no question has been asked. Send your questions to pr_sophie@lutheranconfessions.com.
Pr. Sophie genuinely enjoyed The Lutheran Handook, and she was delighted to learn of a companion volume for pastors: at last, she thought, a tell-it-like-it-is book that will articulate the triumphs, pitfalls, and pratfalls of trying to squeeze an actual human life into the role of Lutheran pastor.
Well, dear readers, the book is here, and we have two choices: if we accept The Lutheran Handbook for Pastors as an accurate picture of the life of a Lutheran pastor, that life is dull, dull, dull and not terribly funny. In this case, the Handbook is work of remedial etiquette for the lifelong dissembler who may have forgotten what he or she was hiding in the first place. On the other hand, this might be a work of such profound irony that Pr. Sophie has missed the funny part.
Both choices positively reek of Kierkegaard with whom Pr. Sophie has no truck.
Was the advice to slouch when drinking coffee in a seated position supposed to be funny? And what should one make of the juxtaposition of "How to Get Out of a Traffic Ticket" (hint: wear a clergy shirt) with "The Pros and Cons of Wearing a Clergy Shirt" complete with the closing injunction that "a Lutheran wearing a clergy shirt" is responsible for all that an ordinand pledges at ordination?
On the plus side, "I'm gay" is not one of the "Ten Things You Should Never Say to a Parishoner", but one of the tips for managing your relationship with your bishop is "Don't surprise your bishop."
Ultimately, Pr. Sophie believes this book is not a good gift choice for Clergy Appreciation Month, unless of course, you intend to wrap it in mobility forms.
