Several accouterments have

come to be associated the role of pastor through history. The first is

the hat of the bishop, known as a miter. Although Protestant bishops do

not wear a hat; nonetheless, they are men of authority. The pastor of

a local Protestant church is similar in rank to the Catholic bishop. The

Apostle Paul called us pastors by a Greek word - similar to our word

for bishop - translated as overseers or superintendents.

The towel of a servant is also

associated with the role of pastor. Even as Jesus took a towel and washed

the feet of the disciples, we pastors ought always to be willing to take

on lowly, servile tasks in the presence of the congregation. One day that

may be sweeping leaves with the men or another day cleaning the bathrooms

with the women. No pastor should ever ask any congregant to do something

he himself is unwilling to do.

Of course, the collar of the

priest is also associated with the pastor - even though many members

of the clergy do not wear a collar. Some always wear business suits. Some

wear normal casual clothes to demonstrate that they are men through whom

people can connect with God. A priest - performing his priestly function

- does exactly that: helps people connect to God and serves as a

connection for God to his people. More and more members of the clergy

are wearing collars - some blue, pink, gray to help identify themselves

as people who are called to care for others.

The staff of a shepherd is

also associated with the office of pastor. Psalm 23 helps us understand

the shepherd's staff: "your rod and your staff comfort me."

The shepherd would use a staff to rescue little lambs that might be falling

off a cliff. The crook in the staff would gently pull the little lamb

back from danger. Through his counseling and his preachments every Sunday,

the pastor seeks to protect his flock from all sorts of dangers.

Of course, the chalk of a teacher

is second nature to the pastor's role. The pastor should always be

a teacher of the Word of God. The Bible even directs that the pastor should

teach people the Word in season and out of season. Surely, there are times

when the home folks just don't want to hear it. Even then, the pastor

must take up the Scriptures and chalk and teach the uncompromising truth.

However, there is another accouterment of the pastor's office. It's

an accouterment often ignored because of its unpopularity with the people

and it's the mantle of the prophet. Because it's difficult to

be a prophet and a people-pleaser at the same time, the former is often

slighted. A prophet is the one who says, "Thus saith the Lord..."

Far too many people want to hear from the pastor every Sunday the following

words, "Good morning; hey, guys, I want to give you five keys to

health and wealth." On the other hand, the true prophet might just

stand on Sunday morning and declare to the whole bunch of his congregation,

"You're nothing but a bunch of robbers because you all are stealing

the Lord's tithes and offerings. Because of it, you are cursed."

I sincerely believe that Fayette

pulpits must reclaim the mantle of the prophet or our churches will become

no more than feel good societies for the feeling good of ourselves.

Three areas or issues are consistently

prophetically ignored: the poor, prejudice, and false piety.

In one of Georgia's wealthiest

counties, we have poor people and they are basically ignored. In one of

Georgia's counties growing in diversity, racism has a firm grip on

the color of our churches and the social registries in our public schools.

And, it seems from national pollsters we are learning that the level of

genuine piety inside the church walls is about the same level as outside

the church walls. Somebody is putting on spiritual airs.

Pastors have their plates full,

no doubt. But, there is also no doubt that we too will stand before the

judgment seat of Christ and answer for the conditions of our communities

- especially when we have opportunity to speak "Thus saith the

Lord" every Sunday.

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