The Faces Around This Table

Every week before text study a different local pastor leads discussion over a book, a spiritual practice, an idea he/she has for ministry--pretty much whatever he/she wants to talk about.  A couple of weeks ago a well-established and highly-respected pastor shared with us his new-found practice of poetry.  It was really neat to hear his poetry which ranged from deep, theological thoughts to playful, loving illustrations of his grandchildren.  At the end of the hour he gave us each a paper with a "starter" on it.  We were instructed to write (a list, poem, or prose), draw a picture, or just ponder the starter: When I look at the faces around this table...  I thought about the discussions there, the ministry, the passion, the pain, and the variety of called Children of God who surrounded me.  They reminded me of myself, of friends from long ago, of people in my congregation. They reminded me that people are each pastors, prophets, and preachers at different times and different places.  And this is where the spirit guided me:

When I look at the faces around this table ,

there are faces of pastors, of hearts willing and able

to share a kind word with a mourning soul,

to listen for God’s Word for a world made whole.

When I look at the faces around this table,

                there are faces of prophets, of hearts willing and able

to think and to wonder about a great vision,

to work and to pray for God’s people and mission.

When I look at the faces around this table,

                there are faces of preachers, of hearts willing and able

to speak from a pulpit to people in pews

to go forth and to share that there is good news.

When I look at the faces around this table,

                there are faces of people willing and able

to be called children of God, to call others, too

to be for the world people true,

                who laugh, cry, cuss, and repent,

                pray, teach, learn, and are sent.

Written during Metro South Conference Meeting on 4/10/14.