Obesity? Obviously there's a limit within the realm of morbid obesity. But certainly obesity in general is something many fine and faithful LCMS pastors struggle with - myself included, to be honest. Just look at nearly any group picture of pastors gathered at an LCMS ordination, installation, or conference and that's obvious. And perhaps most notably...this criteria, strictly applied, would most certainly eliminate Luther himself from the pastoral office.
Part of the problem is that much of the messaging is from clergy to young men telling them that if they are interested in being a pastor to talk to the clergy. The selection of men to seek the pastoral office is not something we (as in the congregants who will call pastors) can leave to the clergy, at least not at this time. If the only people telling a man that he should consider being a pastor is his pastor and maybe some of the women around him, he probably isn't right for the job. Talking to his pastor is certainly something he should do, but perhaps even more importantly he should be speaking with the men in his congregation about it. The men of a congregation need to be actively involved in determining whether they have someone that shows promise to lead a congregation in the role of pastor.
Labeling obese as unfit for pastoral office or any vocation betrays a gross ignorance that is of this world, and not God's.
Biology, physiology, medical and Biblical studies are called for, as well as discernment and an understanding of marketing and financial gain and false teachings behind "obesity" today.
Obesity? Obviously there's a limit within the realm of morbid obesity. But certainly obesity in general is something many fine and faithful LCMS pastors struggle with - myself included, to be honest. Just look at nearly any group picture of pastors gathered at an LCMS ordination, installation, or conference and that's obvious. And perhaps most notably...this criteria, strictly applied, would most certainly eliminate Luther himself from the pastoral office.
This comment is why I posted my comment.
Part of the problem is that much of the messaging is from clergy to young men telling them that if they are interested in being a pastor to talk to the clergy. The selection of men to seek the pastoral office is not something we (as in the congregants who will call pastors) can leave to the clergy, at least not at this time. If the only people telling a man that he should consider being a pastor is his pastor and maybe some of the women around him, he probably isn't right for the job. Talking to his pastor is certainly something he should do, but perhaps even more importantly he should be speaking with the men in his congregation about it. The men of a congregation need to be actively involved in determining whether they have someone that shows promise to lead a congregation in the role of pastor.
Labeling obese as unfit for pastoral office or any vocation betrays a gross ignorance that is of this world, and not God's.
Biology, physiology, medical and Biblical studies are called for, as well as discernment and an understanding of marketing and financial gain and false teachings behind "obesity" today.