Healing
the soul of the PCC
Rev. Andy Cornell
(중략) But I think that it's fair to say that when you look at the
lay of the land, the healthiest congregations are marked by the leadership of
ministers who are genuinely called to that particular flock and bring their
healthy selves to the task………Which is why the PCC Pastors' Conference, held
April 22-26, was such a breath of fresh air. A total of 118 Presbyterian
ministers from coast to coast were treated to four nights and three full days
of inspiration and rest.
(중략) It was a rich
experience in every sense of the word.
(중략) We were reminded of the need to avoid burnout. We heard a
moving first-person story of a minister who suddenly found himself unable to
function: "35 years (of non-stop work) caught up to me. I felt like hell.
I was spiritually confused. I thought I was going to die." Stop the
presses. How many of us sitting in the audience, mesmerized by this powerful
confession, wondered, "Lord, could I be next?"
(중략) Sadly, there is burnout across this land……
(중략) There's no easy answer…….
Awareness is a huge step, and many of us
received that eye-opener. Knowing that there are many, many brothers and
sisters in called ministry out there who are experiencing similar situations
was all that's needed.
In the words of one long-time minister:
"This was the best Presbyterian conference I've ever attended."
In addition to the personal needs of ministers,
there is the theological divide in the PCC. The conference was the vision of
Vaughan Community Church and Rev. Peter Han, the senior minister. In the words
of the organizers, the goal was "fellowship, encouragement, learning, and
unity among ministers. With all the demands and complexities of serving the
church today, we want to take up the simple invitation to rest and abide in
God. We're hoping ministers will be renewed and refreshed."
And that is exactly what happened. It was a
bold, faithful step towards healing the soul of a fractured body.
You cannot get this kind of experience at
General Assembly, which is rife with contention and bureaucratic order. The PCC
Pastor's Conference was a milestone.
Somewhere, sometime, somehow — we need to do
this again.
[ 위의 글은 “Renewal
Fellowship Within PCC”의 대표 앤디 코넬 목사가 써서 회람한 컬럼에서 발췌한 것입니다.]