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THE MOST IMPORTANT CREDENTIALS DON’T HANG ON A WALL

Have you ever walked into a professional’s office – a doctor, or a lawyer or an accountant, say – and saw one wall of that office covered in credentials – diplomas, certifications and awards?  I think that’s an experience that most of us have had.

It seems obvious to me that this is done because such professionals want us to know how much they know.  They want us to know that they know what they’re doing.   They want us to know that we can trust them and their expertise.

There’s an old saying: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  For me, that’s not entirely true when it comes to professionals like doctors and lawyers.  I really want to know that my doctor knows what he or she is doing.  I want to see proof of that as soon as I walk into that doctor’s office!

However, I do believe that saying is 100% true when it comes to pastors.

When you walk into my office, you won’t see my diplomas or any other credentials on a wall.  (Actually, you will see one award hanging on a wall.  Come to my office and see if you can find it!)  The reason for the lack of physical credentials in my office isn’t because I believe pastors shouldn’t display them.  (That’s just a style choice, as far as I’m concerned.)  It’s because I don’t know exactly where they are!  They’re packed away in a box somewhere in the parsonage or church.  Obviously, I’m not too concerned about displaying them!

Why?

It’s because there are two other credentials I believe are much more important for you to know about me as your pastor, and I can’t hang these credentials on a wall.  These two credentials are: 1) I love God, and; 2) I love people.

I could know a great deal about a pastor’s education and experience.  I could have a firm understanding of that pastor’s areas of expertise.  If I didn’t have a sense, however, that the pastor loved God and loved me, that other information wouldn’t count for much.  I’m thinking you’re probably like me on this.

That’s why I’m working hard by the grace God gives me to establish these two credentials with you.  Once established, then perhaps my experience and expertise as a pastor will become important and useful.

I so appreciate all the people at NUMC who have given me and are giving me opportunities to establish these credentials.  Thank you for coming to worship so you can honor God with me and experience God’s presence with me and thereby get a sense of my heart for worship, God’s Word and the importance of the gathered Body of Christ.  Thank you for talking with me about your lives.  Thank you for sharing some of the difficult places you’re currently experiencing and allowing me to offer pastoral care in those places.  It is in such ways and by such means that the two most important credentials of a pastor become known!

Who knows?  Maybe someday I’ll even find that box of diplomas…

Blessings,

Pastor Blaik

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