Ultimate? Penultimate? Antepenultimate?

I remember in my Greek class in seminary a discussion of terms related to what we might call “the end.” Of course the term we used to describe the final conclusion of something was “ultimate.” What came just prior to the ultimate was “penultimate.”  And what was just before that which was just before the ultimate was the “antepenultimate.”  For some reason those terms have stuck with me over these last 30 plus years.  

I mention this because if Holy Week is the ultimate in terms of the last week of Jesus’ life and ministry, then we might describe ourselves as being in the penultimate week of Jesus’ life and ministry. In terms of pastoral health and wholeness it seems to me that this might be one of those weeks when pastors ask themselves “What is next to the end?” 

In May of last year Chrysalis had a table at the Festival of Homiletics in Minneapolis.  Every day, pastor after pastor passed by our table for conversation, fliers, and stress balls.  In our conversations I heard so many pastors talk about how they were trying to find a way to leave the ministry.  The common themes were burnout, bad behavior of parishioners (especially during the pandemic), and financial struggles.  All of these faithful pastors had seemingly reached the point where ministry was the penultimate moment in their career.  In other words, they would leave the ministry fo another ultimate end. 

My suspicion is that those who leave the ministry didn’t plan on it that way.  These folks probably imagined that they would retire as pastors.  But so much has changed in our world, in denominations, and in local churches, that at Chrysalis we see this a lot.  

Perhaps in this week before THE week, it is worth some time considering where your ministry is related to the “ultimate” for you.  What is your life telling you?  What is your body telling you?  What are the relationships in your life indicating to you?  Are you just trying to get through things, or are you engaged and active and alive in your work?  Is ministry your ultimate?  Or, perhaps you are like one of those folks looking for a new ultimate.  

Whatever the case, we are here to listen, to care, and offer feedback.  Reach out.

With Hope,

The Chrysalis Team