A poll-vault!

[prodigalpanda]

There's been a lot of talk on the LJ Circuit about jobs and careers and such as of late, so I thought I should chime in with my own batch of vocational versimilitude. (Does that word work? Oh well, it does in my mind!)

Some of you (but not all) may know that my future career plans involve me going into so form of organized church-based

Comments

[cubby42]

First part:
I know it's been a while, but yes. Gads, yes, I could see you doing this kind of work. I think you are very well served by your honesty and ernestness, which makes me think you would do better in a more direct manner. I think you would be brilliant with kids, but maybe not with puppets (although, if you ever want puppets, I would forgo A LOT of sleep to make you whatever you wanted).

As a liberal atheist, I hesitate to comment on your convictions qua faith apropriateness. But I have read a bit of the bible, and Joshua Bin Josephs main point seemed to be that we should love each other, and act accordingly. You are a very good man. Follow your heart and you won't go wrong.

I do also want to mention that there was a preist senator in the 70's (wish I could remember his name) that voted to give funding for abortions. He was against abortions, but refused to create a system where the was a class divide, if it was legal then it should not be only the privlage of teh rich. I admire this man greatly.

*HUG*

[prodigalpanda]

Ah, thank you Cubby for your prompt reply!

I see where you're coming from with the puppets. To be honest, I've never even performed with one, its just a common theatrical ministry thing (One of Lisa's colleague's wives makes puppets for her church)

That being said, I wouldn't be adverse to a story-telling ministry of some sort.

Again, thank you for your time and frankness. Perhaps I will take you up on the puppet offer someday :o)

wow . . .

[jane_stclaire]

I am reminded how much I enjoy talking with you and how much I enjoy listening to you . . . I would like to respond, and I think I'll do so in email form (on account of possible length?)

You ask good questions.

Re: wow . . .

[prodigalpanda]

Length Schmength, like we haven't all posted long things on LJ. besides, it would help honestly if I could keep all of it on LJ, that way I can go back to one place and look at it. But whatever you feel inclined to do. :o)

[shakingthetree]

I think you are well on your way. I'd stick around at a church you were in charge of - and I'm Jewish!

Your convictions are in line with my own. I'd like to believe that there is a growing number of those who are turning from blind religious practice and who are truly spiritual in their search for a connection to Something Greater than themselves. More and more, I hear of people reaching out to each other with kinder souls, tolerant minds, and healing hands. I don't need to tell you that the world is starving for that kind of spiritual nourishment.

I'm very encouraged and proud of you to have the chutzpah to dedicate your life to promoting these premises.

[prodigalpanda]

Thank you very much STT. One thing I would like very much to see is more dialogue between those of the three Abrahamic faiths. At the local shelter where I worked up until recently, there was every flavor of christian and even a Hindu Temple volunteering, but the Jews and Muslims (There is a mosque and a synagogue in the area) were not prevalent. I think honestly it has more to do with them not being approached with the idea. The world will not be healed with one operation, but with a thousand million little bandaids and kisses.:o)

[rosered2318]

1) Could you envision me, in your mind, as doing this kind of work?

Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!!!!

2) What kind of gifts/talents/strengths do you percieve that I have that may be to my benefit.

First and foremost, you are a remarkable listener. You make people feel valued because you are engaged and care about what they have to say. That is the first thing that makes any counselor (and, though not in the name, it really -is- the job description) good.

3) What flaws/weaknesses that may prove detrimental?

My first thought is that it is very demanding and being able to juggle your community and your family, not to mention all the other things that go on in lives, will take a lot of work. My second is that you might find difficulty fitting in because you -are- a progressive thinker and, well, dogma is dogma.

[prodigalpanda]

:o) Thank you. And that was something I have been concerning myself with the past few years. Lisa got for me for our anniversary once a book called "If God is Love" by a Quaker pastor named Phillip Gulley (Co-authored by a fellow pastor named Jim Mullholland). It's the second book in a series, stating with "If Grace is True: Why God will Save Every Person".

For a while, I didn't think I could be anything but, say, a Unitarian Universalist, there is much I admire abotu Lutherans (other than the pastors, lay leaders, and of course, my wife being a Lifelong Lutheran didn't hurt), that I also enjoy the idea that Lutherans were rebels in their own right, that they started as a movement to Reform the Catholic Church, not destroy or supplant it, and that Luther himself had many personal issues of self-worth and fear of God's wrath that was only resoled by the idea that you can't do anything to make God love you more, and you can't do anything to make God love you less. (Not Luther persay, but close enough)

Thank you, Mo.

[veins_of_ink]

I would not be able to envision that you would not be wonderful in a position that allows you to help or care for people. If this is what you want, what makes you happy - go for it. I think that anyone, any organization would be lucky to have you work with them and I am excited for those who can benefit from your caring and loving nature. From your other postings and the time I have spent with you I know this is important and any shortcomings that you may have (and, truth be told, I can’t think of any!) they will be worked out as you learn, grow and foster yourself within the church community. The greatest perk of your chosen path would have to be the community. Sure people in offices help and are friendly, but there is something about sharing a belief that strengthens those bonds and builds relationships

[prodigalpanda]

Maybe more a corporal than a captain, but thank you Josh. :o)