THE LITTLE THINGS
What makes a ministry worthwhile? Sometimes the simplest acts are the most significant.
Michael L. Lindvall
October 1, 1991
The following is taken from a book of short stories about life in ministry, The Good News from New Haven, by Michael Lindvall (Doubleday, 1991). The tales of this fictional town in western Minnesota (where Mike grew up) reflect deep realities with which most pastors will readily identify. The coming of our fourth winter in North Haven has been for me like a clock striking the hour. One, two, and three made a set, a time-trinity, but this fourth has drifted upon me whispering: "Long time, now, long time." This mood also has something to do with having turned 40 in the fall. My thirties, I argued, were "mature youth." The actuarial tables gave more distance ahead of me than behind. But forty is most likely halfway home, give or take a few years. Forty is second base: the pitcher is lined right up with home plate. One base behind, one base ahead. It is a perch from which one is inclined to do some reconnoitering. Forty years lived and four of them in this one place, and what difference has it all made? Second Presbyterian Church has a net membership of two fewer souls than four years ago. There are four more children registered in the Sunday school. I have preached 187 sermons here, baptized 8 babies and one middle-aged lady. I have married 17 couples and buried 28 people. At current pace, that means over the next twenty-five years: 1,175 more sermons, 50 more babies, 6 middle-aged ladies, 104 happy couples, and 175 funerals, not counting mine. Is anybody keeping a track? And if all this is being tallied in some cosmic computer, will my file be distinguishable from that of a million other well-meaning clergy who worked hard enough and did a pretty good job? As I sat in my study on a Tuesday morning after working out those chilling ...
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