Clergy, crusified within the body of Christ - a challenge to pastoral care

M.A. Thesis / University of Pretoria / Department of Practical Theology / Advised by Prof M Masango

A tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16), and a person’s priorities are known by reading his diary! We try so hard to be something we are not and often we succeed, … but it is only for a short moment, or maybe two… The words you and I speak become a mirror, reflecting our heart’s content to whoever wants to listen. James asks this question; “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:11 - NIV) How then, is it possible to speak peace and war from the same tongue? How could I bless and curse, all in one breath? How could I declare my love for my Lord, yet crucify him from the same heart? How could I love my neighbour with bloodstained hands? How could we declare victory in the cross at Calvary, where our Saviour died? How could we claim to be victorious in Jesus, saying that we will reign with him forever, (Rev 22: 5) and yet, as Christians, we are crucified over and over again? This is the true mystery in Christ; there is victory in defeat, there is strength in weakness, there is life after death.