Pastor House

My friend (editor of The Australian Christian) wrote this recently.

Thinking back on my recent existence as a pastor, I think I should have been like Dr Gregory House from Ten's medical hit, House.  Of course, I wouldn't model myself exclusively off such an irritable, sarcastic and arrogant man (or did I?), and Jesus is still the ultimate pastor, but I wish I had been more House-like.  

House demands an objective diagnosis!  House looks at the facts, and does not let emotions get in the way of making a diagnosis.  Actually, one could argue that he doesn't let patients get in the way of a diagnosis!  His rule of thumb is that when taking a personal history, remember that all patients lie.  Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say all church members lie.  But to go from person to person believing that you are getting the whole truth each time borders on pastoral schizophrenia.  House reminds us that there is a higher "opinion" (in his case, medical symptoms) that we must listen to. To best help our "patients", we need to listen to someone more authoritative and reliable than them.  ("Paging the Holy Spirit, you're wanted in the ER.")


It is an interesting thought I am sure that all too often in churches around the world we are not honest enough with eachother, or we are to honest with unfounded opinions and end up hurting others.

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