Song for the Young Pastor

I was just told yesterday that my conference extended the age of young clergy to 38. All I can say is that this rate, I will be a young clergy forever. Perhaps because I am in the category, but especially for the flack I have received about being you, I am passionate about young clergy. I have been told by laity and pastors alike that young people do not have a place in ministry, in a variety of different ways. There was a day when young clergy were the norm, but now they are not, so paradoxically, people do not know what to do with us while at the same time begging for more young clergy.

I was thinking about that when this song from Aida played in my car the other day. The song is about assuming political leadership at a young age and a turbulent time, but I feel it is equally apt for young clergy:

Aida - Dance of the Robe

Its knowing what they want of me that scares me

Its knowing having followed, I must lead

Its knowing that each person there compares me

To those in my past who I now succeed

But how can whatever I do for them now, be enough, be enough

Aida, Aida

All we ask of you

Is a lifetime of service, wisdom, courage

To ask more would be selfish, but nothing less will do

Aida, Adia

The song goes on, but I can locate myself so well in this first verse and chorus. My version would go something like:

It knowing that they expect everything and nothing that scares me.

Knowing that they wanted someone who is their age not mine

But I have been disciples now I must lead

Its knowing that each person their compares me to those in their past

Whom I now succeed

So how can whatever I do for them now be enough? Be enough.