Tale of Two Freds
The following is one of my favorite quotations about faith, although the basis of faith is quite vague:
Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.
– Frederick Buechner |
Buechner is one of America’s greatest living writers. His novel Godric was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1981.
Although unclear in the quotation, the foundation of Buechner’s faith is Jesus. Buechner is a Christian, an ordained Presbyterian minister.
Another Fred, Fred Rogers, was one of the most respected people in America when he died in 2003. He created Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, the legendary PBS TV show designed to create a safe place for kids in the wild worlds of television and life.
But this didn’t mean Mr. Rogers avoided what Buechner called “terrible things”.
Rogers did shows touching upon death, the hospital, and The First Gulf War. His Neighborhood was simple, but it was crafted to encourage real kids to engage the real world and not be afraid.
Fred Rogers did this in large part because of Jesus. He was a Christian and – like Buechner – an ordained Presbyterian minister.
The reason I mention these two Freds is not to give Presbyterians (or Freds) publicity.
I mention them because they are Christians known first and foremost not for the work they did “in church”, but for the work they did “in the world”. And this “worldly work” was as shaped by Christ as any sermon.
Most of us actually spend little time in official church work. But all work is ministry when it’s shaped by the character of Jesus and done to bring the presence of his love into the world.
Your name may not be Fred, but you too have a ministry with Jesus in the world.
Although unclear in the quotation, the foundation of Buechner’s faith is Jesus. Buechner is a Christian, an ordained Presbyterian minister.
Another Fred, Fred Rogers, was one of the most respected people in America when he died in 2003. He created Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, the legendary PBS TV show designed to create a safe place for kids in the wild worlds of television and life.
But this didn’t mean Mr. Rogers avoided what Buechner called “terrible things”.
Rogers did shows touching upon death, the hospital, and The First Gulf War. His Neighborhood was simple, but it was crafted to encourage real kids to engage the real world and not be afraid.
Fred Rogers did this in large part because of Jesus. He was a Christian and – like Buechner – an ordained Presbyterian minister.
The reason I mention these two Freds is not to give Presbyterians (or Freds) publicity.
I mention them because they are Christians known first and foremost not for the work they did “in church”, but for the work they did “in the world”. And this “worldly work” was as shaped by Christ as any sermon.
Most of us actually spend little time in official church work. But all work is ministry when it’s shaped by the character of Jesus and done to bring the presence of his love into the world.
Your name may not be Fred, but you too have a ministry with Jesus in the world.