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When I was in
high school, I saw
Mr.Holland's Opus at the theatre. I hated it. I was upset
Mr.Holland never became a composer like he wanted to.
Instead, he remained just a teacher. Okay, I admit (at the
time) I completely missed the message.
I recently saw the film again and it moved me---maybe because I saw
myself in Mr.Holland. I wanted to be a professional church pastor. I
wanted to go to seminary, preach every Sunday, have an office...a
church of my own. Maybe write a book on ministry and become a "voice
for a generation." But first, I decided to teach high school English
for a year---then I'd pursue my "real career." Three years later,
I'm still teaching and I couldn't imagine anywhere else I'd rather
be.
Not that it wasn't a difficult realization, it was. I'm still
dealing with it. So let's see how you deal with it:
MR.HOPKINS' OPUS
I will never
become a professional church pastor.
I will never go to seminary.
I will not preach every Sunday.
I will never have an office.
I will never have my own church.
I will never write a book on ministry.
Some mega-pastors make a six figure salary, I will probably never
make beyond $50,000.
I will never live in a large house in a gated community.
My voice will never go beyond my circle of friends and the students
I teach.
I will remain just a teacher.
While I
will never go to seminary, I will teach future lawyers and
doctors and politicians and thousands more who will take care of
you.
I do not preach every Sunday. I preach for an hour and a
half, four times a day, Monday through Friday. My sermons are truly
"interactive." I do not give altar calls. I simply watch my students
grow up before me. I will spend more quality time with your children
in the next year, than you will.
I do not have an office. I have a classroom. A hundred
students enter in everyday. I cannot shut the door. I cannot take
the afternoon off to play golf with my pastor buddies. I cannot
leave to attend a conference during my work week.
I will never have my own church. I partner with other
teachers. I share the burden. My students have dealt with death in
their family, divorce, cancer, drug abuse, unhealthy relationships,
apathy, the fear of war, violence. And yet they still come to class
everyday.
I will never write a book on ministry. I'm too busy attending
football games, school plays, judging debate tournaments, proctoring
the PSATs, and running the chess club.
I will never make six figures. I will live simply, humbly,
without pretense.
My voice will not reach this generation, but I will change
the lives of students I care for, and that is more than enough.
You pastors get so excited about foreign missionaries, and neglect
the everyday church goer who works hard at their unimpressive job.
You pastors freak about about attendance and offering, and forget to
lay yourself down. You pastors measure your success by programs and
buildings, and forget about transforming the community around you.
You pastors dream of fancy titles and recognition, and I am ashamed
for you.
I will never be one of you. I'm just a teacher. |
