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Reverend Stu Attempts to Interview the Sitting Abbot


Leading up to the following excerpt from an interview January 2013, I asked the Abbot what was happening in the church. The Abbot pointed out that, as a priest in the ECoD, I should know. From that point forward the Abbot asked the questions and I disclosed often with colorful language. It was a somewhat uncomfortable experience for me but valuable; as a read--the transcripts are just uncomfortable (and long). This segment is near the end of the "session" and shows the Abbot at his best. You may note that in only a few lines he validates my feelings, illustrates empathy, refocuses me on the core of priest work--that is maintaining the wisdom needed to balance tolerance for human failings with the ability to combat evil and finally he asks me the question I initially asked him. I answered him too.

Stu: Well I also have the bad habit of interrupting people and I talk both too much and too fast. I'm an unabashed shit-stirrer. My default mode is to challenge your beliefs.

A; Thank-you for sharing, honestly you do have a great deal of self-awareness. With leaders like you people should be flocking to the church.

Stu: Sarcasm Abbot?

A: No–-you know people well enough to know that that sometimes they like a good fight and in today's trend toward political correctness they repress–-they don’t get adequate opportunities to express themselves. People also know that molly coddling is usually ineffective and always annoying. I'm sure sometimes when you hear someone say in that soothing sing song voice, 'Its OK honey--everything is all right"--you just want to yell, "No, no it isn't, what planet do you live on?!"

Stu: I wish I didn't. I am a tolerant person, truly, but Abbot I don't seem to be perceived that way.

A: Good.

Stu: What is that suppose to mean?

A: Toleration indicates acceptance of something that causes you discomfort. We tolerate waiting in line and taking turns even though we would rather not, we understand that fair is fair, but we start to fume when the wait becomes inconvenient. Muttering, snide remarks with fellow sufferers, a collective heavy sigh if a clerk goes on break or a little old lady starts digging in her purse and counting change. That was me, on occasion--when I'm slippin'–-still is. Now though, it just doesn't get the better of me. I realize it's happening--I pretend I have Turret's syndrome have a laugh and move on, same in traffic. On the other hand, we should have no tolerance of evil. Sometimes if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Hey, here's another question for you, how is the church doing?

Stu: Mixed bag...there are some disappointments but overall the church seems to be doing more than just hanging on. There has actually been what seemed to be actual opposition to the church; more pointed and heavy the more the church came into existence. The idea of a church made for great conversation--the reality of a church made for great accusations.

A: I experienced the exact same thing. I know exactly what you mean.


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