tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post2760799564708812571..comments2023-12-15T21:49:46.651+01:00Comments on Pluralist Speaks: No to Me as Possible Rev (Part 2)Pluralist (Adrian Worsfold)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01922153724523820866noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-26251769970663239522011-12-13T05:08:53.941+01:002011-12-13T05:08:53.941+01:00First was the doubt that I can relate to other peo...<i>First was the doubt that I can relate to other people who are not as intellectually gifted as me.</i><br /><br />I find that interesting. I can at least relate to what you write and I don't have a philosophical/theological mind at all. I couldn't say I understand everything immediately, but it sticks and then I'll read something else or have a particular experience and shock, horror, it makes a sort of sense! <br /><br />Well. More fool they.laBiscuitnapperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07085674629106780182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-45955373091286010102011-12-06T02:56:47.560+01:002011-12-06T02:56:47.560+01:00I'm not a person who goes around telling peopl...I'm not a person who goes around telling people I am intellectual. I have others who tell me that I am intellectual. They are the ones who then say it does not fit and also that I lack other skills. I will maintain that my pastoral side was never tested during my year 1989-90 at UCM, it was simply a question that I did not fit.<br /><br />As for difficulties with the education system and a job, see my CV. It is all public. The answer about holding down a job is probably not.<br /><br />Thanks Rachel. There are chaplaincies but they are add-ons to existing ministries and they don't come paid by colleges/ universities and on their own. They are really to relate to Unitarian identifying students who attend an institution, and are then likely to come to that chapel. There isn't an SCM or equivalent.<br /><br />I'm just not very good at playing games. I could have made a much bigger effort at fitting an institution. The problem has been that I just could not do it. Arrogant or otherwise, I couldn't do it. When the Anglican curate made her promises, I realised I could not make those promises. The later on "don't know" to the negative is because a 'yes' is expected, and my approach is to say yes to what I believe and no to what I don't, regardless of the sophisticated resources open to use.<br /><br />That's a good point Brian. I don't think I've lost my woman due to intellect - she has plenty of her own - but I can imagine that happening as well for some. Gosh, at least I have been spared that. Perhaps she knew me better. I'm so soft and undemanding that we remain friends desite the geographical distance and the effective end of the marriage.Pluralist (Adrian Worsfold)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01922153724523820866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-16078498176258646252011-12-05T23:55:01.777+01:002011-12-05T23:55:01.777+01:00Adrian, I am sorry. I know that this is painful fo...Adrian, I am sorry. I know that this is painful for you. I too have been a victim of my intellect for most of my life. I was always told that it would take me far in life. Not quite true. People constantly tell me that I’m the smartest person they’ve ever met but I don’t get any working benefit from it because I’m told it “intimidates” people. <br /><br />Most of my former lovers have told me that they felt insecure of my intellect and my insights and so they left. It is not a meritocracy we live in these days and high intellect is a liability more often than not. Sad commentary on the state of human culture at this point in time, I think.<br /><br />I think that the church is destroying itself from within with ever-increasing hurdles required of anyone who wishes to serve or who feels called to serve. When I think of all the stellar people I know, like you, MP, Margaret, Padre Mickey, etc. who are left unemployed by the church I become dizzy with anger and confusion. <br /><br />Your blog is a light in darkness and I have learned much from you. May you continue to seek and to know and to share.Briannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-75544603159804789682011-12-05T23:04:46.414+01:002011-12-05T23:04:46.414+01:00You sound awfully arrogant. Could that have had an...You sound awfully arrogant. Could that have had anything to do with your rejection? By the way, have you ever held a job?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-51826566121818936122011-12-05T21:36:17.186+01:002011-12-05T21:36:17.186+01:00It is a loss to them and a shame that they could n...It is a loss to them and a shame that they could not recognise the gift that your intellectual approach could have been. If there were unitarian chaplaincies to universities this might have been an option - I do not know if such things exist but I know that intellectual Anglican clergy often find a university campus a stimulating place to minister to. <br /><br />Keep thinking and praying. Your readers will, I am sure.Rev R Marszalekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01831340057673771787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5449677811690616608.post-22144952037222368902011-12-05T20:33:35.100+01:002011-12-05T20:33:35.100+01:00I can imagine what this sort of accusation feels l...I can imagine what this sort of accusation feels like! But if it was being made 20 years ago, perhaps you should've had a handy rebuttal this time...<br /><br />There are many different types of 'ordinary' people. You don't need a degree to be interested in high level theological discussion or preaching. But will the average elderly lady (?) in a Unitarian congregation find that meaningful to her? <br /><br />I've read that introverts are overrepresented in the clergy, and of course, mainstream historical denominations often only allow highly educated people into the ministry. From a sociological point of view, this can create a lack of mutual understanding between priest and people. Commitment to pastoral work is used to bridge the gap, but if you can't convince college tutors that you have the necessary pastoral skills, then that must present a considerable problem.<br /><br />Maybe you should've been better at playing the game; developing your CV on the pastoral side, giving congregations and college tutors what they think they want, yet also quietly working on your intellectual interests as an 'extracurricular' activity, involving smaller groups of people who are interested in that sort of thing. <br /><br />This is what the Anglican and Methodist clergy seem to do. Mind you, I do think Methodist preachers often underestimate their congregations. But maybe that thought says more about me than it does about them. If these preachers appeal to their demographic, and I'm not in that demographic, then that's my problem, not theirs! <br /><br />On the other hand, if (prospective) preachers/clergy think they have a new, 'square peg' way of doing things that'll bring renewal to the church, I imagine that most congregations and college tutors will need a lot of convincing.<br /><br />I hope you manage to find a way of being of service to spiritual communities in a way that suits your skills and interests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com