Specialisation
Dear Friends
I found myself in conflict with a bank manager this month!
Apparently letters addressed to ‘The Manager’ are sent to
a specialized processing centre where they can be lost without trace
all in the name of efficiency! A triumph for process over people.
The next day in Chepstow, a friendly cash machine dispensed a new design £20 note. The deeply inspiring Edward Elgar replaced by Adam Smith celebrating “The division of labour in pin manufacturing: (and the great increase in the quantity of work that results)” Big deal, all these years I’ve been thinking specialization decreased the amount of work and increased output! A triumph for the created above the creator and process over people?
Further down the street I came across a public house ‘The Five Alls’ celebrating another form of specialization in which the soldier, clergy, royalty and judiciary are maintained through the largesse of John Bull – the tolerant taxpayer. Maybe the ‘pay for all’ caught my sorry attention because I sometimes feel like a victim bearing the consequence of others’ nobility.
However, at the time I was reflecting on the nature of pastoral service. Is ministry a ‘God spot’ specialty that allows society to get on with the secular or does the inefficiency of ministry embrace multiple roles for the good of all? The minister who defends all, prays for all, leads for all, advocates for all and sacrifices for all. A tall order! Paul describes the ministry of Christ as ‘a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.’ Eph 1:10 (The Message Bible)
There are times when we feel overwhelmed trying to be all things to all people at all times. Not every task is efficiently accommodated according to the dictates of Adam Smith, but rather to the ‘2nd Adam’ – ‘who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.’ 1 Tim. 2:6 (The Message Bible)
A triumph for person over process.
Thank you for giving your all, in service, for the all in all.
Yours truly
Victor
Clap your hands all ye people;
shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
Psalm 47:1