Good article. My experience as a Baptist pastor amongst the Catholic priests I encountered was that too many of lacked a personality. They seemed ill equipped to interact with and minister to actual humans. They could rattle off the liturgy but seemed unable to meaningfully converse with a person.
Interesting comment AT Coffey, thanks. I think I know the type you refer to. I do know priests who are great communicators and inspiring human beings, despite, rather than because of, their beliefs.
So do I. It always seemed so bizarre to me that I encountered what seemed to me so large a number like that. I wondered why someone who could barely converse beyond saying the liturgy felt "called" into what was essentially a people person profession.
I also know Baptist and other evangelical ministers who are huge narcissists -- which seems to be the opposite of the trend I mentioned. But really to be a megachurch pastor one must be comfortable with the personality culture aspect of that job.
I am fascinated by how vague and inarticulate professional religious folk get when you ask them about their 'call'. They go all coy or waffle if you probe, especially the more intelligent ones.
Good article. My experience as a Baptist pastor amongst the Catholic priests I encountered was that too many of lacked a personality. They seemed ill equipped to interact with and minister to actual humans. They could rattle off the liturgy but seemed unable to meaningfully converse with a person.
Interesting comment AT Coffey, thanks. I think I know the type you refer to. I do know priests who are great communicators and inspiring human beings, despite, rather than because of, their beliefs.
So do I. It always seemed so bizarre to me that I encountered what seemed to me so large a number like that. I wondered why someone who could barely converse beyond saying the liturgy felt "called" into what was essentially a people person profession.
I also know Baptist and other evangelical ministers who are huge narcissists -- which seems to be the opposite of the trend I mentioned. But really to be a megachurch pastor one must be comfortable with the personality culture aspect of that job.
I am fascinated by how vague and inarticulate professional religious folk get when you ask them about their 'call'. They go all coy or waffle if you probe, especially the more intelligent ones.