As the rubric itself suggests. the whole push is on the personhood of the curate. At the start ( Chapter Two ) . emphasis is given to foreground the demand for new attack in ministry. Although it was non straight stated. the thought was pointed out when Tom. a curate. received a missive from his alma mater refering the seminary’s program to include into its course of study a topic called The Person in Ministry. As the conversation of the characters progressed. and at the same clip their personalities slightly introduced briefly in chapter one. the subject of the full book becomes more in focal point.
Indeed. as Gary L. Harbaugh was seeking to foreground from the really beginning. even the individual behind the dais Sunday after Sunday is a existent individual with the features of a normal human being with about the same things to get by in life. if non precisely indistinguishable. The manner the five curates were presented – Tom Daniels. Joan Russel. Paul Denning. Chris Campbell. and John Jeffrich – in the first chapter seems to emphasize the fact of the human side of curates in general.
Although the tone of the writer. all along. was to paint an honest assessment of the curate. and at the same clip with the purpose of assisting his readers realize the impossibleness for those among the ordained clergy to execute their lifetime responsibilities efficaciously without groking their frame as human existences. more frequently than non. the overall outlook from the curates is really unrealistic. And so. Harbaugh. in this book. incorporated all necessary studies/sciences which for him might give a more comprehensive and more accurate portraiture of the curate as human coinage.
Through the lenses of doctrine. divinity. psychological science. and anthropology. the curate was presented – non as person who is above the remainder. but person who is really much like those considered rank and file ( Harbaugh. 1985 ) . At the last paragraph of the book. Dr. Harbaugh expressed his hope that upon reading. the reader ( presumptively. a curate ) is “affirmed” and now holding gained valuable penetrations into his/her personhood. with fresh mentality. the staying old ages of ministry will non be any longer onerous but promising alternatively.
In Chapter Two. Harbaugh high spots the world that the curate is non merely a religious individual but physical every bit good. He experiences emphasis and at times may be subjected to turns of “burnout. ” King Hezekiah of the Old Testament was mentioned as an object lesson of a individual covering with emphasis. The writer pointed out that there are right responses to stressors and force per unit areas. although unluckily. curates normally opted for what Dr. Harbaugh called as the pastor’s “common reactions” to emphasize.
To truly see growing in life and in religion. one has to confront his/her duties and do everything within his/her ability to make. and at the same clip. one has to accept his restrictions that he/she can non perchance do everything even while making and using the best possible agencies within his/her ability. As Dr. Harbaugh said. utilizing the well familiar anthem. “Christ is the solid stone on which” finally. our “holistic response to emphasize can stand. ” Furthermore. the curate besides is an rational being. He thinks.
This is the accent of the 3rd chapter. While it is true that there are similarities. or things common among those in the clergy. Harbaugh maintains the individualism of the curate ( Harbaugh. 1985 ) . This means that each curate is different and hence must be dealt with separately. A right balance must be maintained between the pastor’s career and his personal/family life. Dr. Harbaugh. in Chapter Four. introduced Ptr. John Jeffrich. Through Jeffrich’s personality. Harbaugh presented a curate merely like anybody else responding and full of emotions.
Indeed. one can non sympathize with others without holding gone through the same heartache which other people have gone through. “Weakness is strength” ( Harbaugh. 1985 ) . The staying chapters – 5 and 6 – are enlargements. farther geographic expeditions of old chapters. How the curate should cover with different issues as he/she relates to other people. In drumhead. the curate should larn to accept everything that he/she is – with strengths and failings. As a curate. he/she is chosen by God for the people of God.
