A Journey to Perfect a Craft
Back during the Middle Ages, if a person wanted to learn a trade, there was a certain process that had to be followed. For example, if a person wanted to become a weaver they couldn’t just buy a loom and some yarn and open a shop. The trades were controlled by professional guilds, and practicing that trade meant the recognition of that guild. Obtaining that recognition meant going through a certain process.
For example, let’s suppose an individual wanted to become a weaver. The first step would be for the aspiring weaver, or more like their father, to find a master weaver to whom they could apprentice themselves. Becoming an apprentice meant entering into a contractual agreement. The master would agree to provide the apprentice with food, clothing, and shelter. They would also agree to teach the apprentice the basics of the trade. In return, the apprentice would provide labor for the master, including small chores and errands. Any work in the trade itself was closely supervised by the master.
After a period of a year or two, when the apprentice had demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the basics, they would proceed to the next step. They would become a journeyman. As a journeyman they could be trusted to work independently most of the time. The journeyman only needed to call upon the master if they came across an unusually difficult situation. During this phase, the goal was for the worker to elevate the quality of their work from proficiency to art. For this, what the journeyman needed most was lots and lots of practice.
After a period years of practice, when the master determined that the individual was producing items of sufficient quality, the master would nominate them for membership in the guild. The guild would then commission the journeyman to make an item of their finest work. When completed, the members of the guild would judge the item. If they determined the item to be of sufficient quality, they would vote to enroll the journeyman as a master of the trade and a member of the guild. The item was known as the masterpiece. The new master was then free to open their own shop, serve their own customers, and train their own apprentices and journeymen.
What do I mean by Journeyman preacher?
I have been a preacher for 25 years. If you had asked me a few years ago, I might have told you that I was a master of my craft. I have had an enormous amount of training in the craft. I have had lots of practice at the trade. I have served in multiple positions. I have served the denomination in a number of capacities.
However, I have recently come to the conclusion that I have no right to claim that title. I have learned a great deal over the years and had many experiences along the way. I can be trusted to act independently in most circumstances. But there is still a great of the trade that I have to learn before I can truly call myself a master. I am a journeyman pastor
Where is my Journey leading?
In particular, the area where I most need to focus is the area of spiritual growth. Years ago a study on spiritual growth was conducted by the Alban Institute. The conclusion of the study was that the average person between the ages of 20 and 60 experienced no significant spiritual growth. As a pastor, I have come to believe that one reason for that lack of growth is both simple and disturbing: the church has forgotten how. We have focused so much on the institution, that we have forgotten how to help people deepen their relationship God and their relationships with other.
I don’t mean to be insulting. I’m Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church(USA) and I don’t think I was well equipped for spiritual growth. I was equipped to help others grow. I wasn’t even given the tools to assist my own growth.
It wasn’t for lack of trying. As a kid I went to summer camp and youth conferences (Montreat, NC). I have been active in church most of my life. While in seminary, I went to religious services five times per week, and I took a course in spiritual formation. I have been involved in small groups and been on religious retreats. As a pastor I began pursuing a certificate of spiritual formation. Nothing seemed to work. I would stick with it for a day or two, but it always felt forced and I was never able to keep going.
The church and other pastors haven’t been particularly helpful in my quest. In most cases it wasn’t for lack of trying on their part. Many of them were struggling with their own spiritual lives as well. Some of them may not have been aware of that (I wasn’t).
I believe, however, that I have found a solution to my own dilemma. Over the past few weeks I have been growing spiritually every day. What once was a chore, has now become easy. I can’t wait to get up in the morning and spend time with my savior.
I’m writing this set of posts, because I want document my journey towards spiritual growth. I expect that there will be bumps in the road. I expect that there will be setbacks along the way. I’m hoping that by sharing this journey, the reader may find something that will help them.
One program note! I will not be telling anyone what to do. Until I become a master, I’m in no position to do so. I will only be sharing the things that have worked (and haven’t worked0 for me. God bless, and I’ll see you on the road!