![\"Wimmer\"](\"http:\/\/www.covchurch.org\/uploads\/4G\/x_\/4Gx_TxN7R66U4luXy-ziYA\/Wimmer-2.jpg\")
Exploring that challenging question is precisely the purpose of the Lilly funded SPE initiatives \u2013 63 of them across the United States, he explained, while generously praising the Covenant\u2019s SPE project as one of the best efforts.<\/p>\nBy Don Meyer<\/p>\n
DENVER, CO (February 9, 2007) \u2013 Borrowing on the theme of this year\u2019s 2007 Midwinter Pastors Conference, \u201cSustaining Pastoral Excellence,\u201d Dr. John R. Wimmer reflected on what he described as \u201ca peculiar pair of words\u201d \u2013 pastoral excellence.
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\nWimmer, program director for the Religion Division of Lilly Endowment, Inc., was well suited to address the topic of pastoral excellence \u2013 it is a Lilly Endowment grant that is funding the Evangelical Covenant Church\u2019s Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe often are asked what we mean by pastoral excellence,\u201d Wimmer said. He then leaned forward with a wry smile and answered in a low, whispery voice, \u201cWe don\u2019t know!\u201d<\/p>\n
Exploring that challenging question is precisely the purpose of the Lilly funded SPE initiatives \u2013 63 of them across the United States, he explained, while generously praising the Covenant\u2019s SPE project as one of the best efforts.<\/p>\n
Using II Peter as a text, he proceeded to explore the word excellence further, observing that the word in our secular culture \u201cconjures all kinds of images.\u201d He noted, for example:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Many sports teams display in their locker rooms large signs encouraging the players to win with excellence. \u201cSo then, excellence is about winning,\u201d he said in interpreting the secular spin on the word.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Numerous best-selling books have titles with the word excellence tied to everything from management concepts to best business practices. \u201cThat suggests that excellence is about profits,\u201d he observed.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Pointing to well-known and successful figures like Bill Gates, Wimmer suggested that the popular culture would define excellence as success.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese words grate on our gospel nerves,\u201d he responded. \u201cWhat does the gospel have to do with winning, profits or success?\u201d he asked. \u201cPastoral work has elements one cannot quantify,\u201d he said, noting that many people like to define excellence in ministry by the numbers. \u201cExcellence is not about the biggest church or the biggest budget.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wimmer boldly proclaimed: \u201cExcellence as a Christian and as a pastor is a term we can claim with biblical integrity. The text today (II Peter) redeems this word for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
But, he observed that the word excellence in the text is paired with a second word \u2013 glory. \u201cWe are called to God\u2019s glory and excellence,\u201d he recited scripture as saying, noting that the two words have a rich history in Greek culture. \u201cThese words are paired in this passage for a reason,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n
The word glory as used by Peter reflects God\u2019s splendor \u2013 his praiseworthiness, Wimmer noted. \u201cGlory also conveys what it is like for humans to be in the presence of God,\u201d he added, offering illustrations of the time when Moses and Elijah found themselves experiencing the glory of God.<\/p>\n
Drawing from the literature and understandings reflected in the ancient history of the Greeks, Wimmer observed that originally the word glory was fairly drab, referring to someone\u2019s opinion or reputation. \u201cThe Bible raises glory to be above all else \u2013 it describes God. Scripture redefines the word.\u201d<\/p>\n
But, then we come back to the passage where glory is paired with excellence \u2013 \u201cthat\u2019s an odd coupling of words,\u201d Wimmer finds. He proceeded to explore the origins of the word excellence in Greek philosophy, which most often was used in talking about life issues and virtue, often in response to philosophers\u2019 efforts to define \u201ca good life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe this unique pairing of these words \u2013 glory and excellence \u2013 was deliberate, intended to tell us something particular about excellence in the Christian life,\u201d Wimmer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf God\u2019s glory is God\u2019s very being, then to be called to participate in God\u2019s glory and excellence is a call to God\u2019s own glory \u2013 a gift of grace,\u201d he explained. He sees this calling to be one for Christians in general and pastors in particular.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the Covenant\u2019s SPE initiative, Wimmer said he is impressed with three terms that form an underpinning of the Covenant program: character, competency, and constancy. He suggested those three words define quite well the II Peter text.<\/p>\n
The scripture offers a set of virtues that define character and produce excellence, Wimmer said, quoting a passage that suggests if virtues abound, they will keep the minister of the gospel from being ineffective and unfruitful. \u201cThat is a striking phrase to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a perpetual danger for human beings who believe in grace and forgiveness to allow mediocrity to creep in,\u201d he warned, \u201cmediocrity masquerading as faithfulness.\u201d He then observed, \u201cIt is not faith in our own virtues that produces excellence. Rather, character and competence come from participating in God\u2019s glory \u2013 God\u2019s own self revealed in Jesus Christ. There is no pastoral excellence apart from participation in God\u2019s glory.\u201d<\/p>\n
Constancy through participating in the spiritual disciplines and practices that form what he calls \u201ca community of shared competent practice\u201d encourages a \u201cwell-lived pastoral life,\u201d something of growing interest to the Lilly Endowment in the future, he said. \u201cI cannot conceive of ministry as solitary,\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s community.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his summation, Wimmer asked, \u201cWhat does all of this mean?\u201d He suggested that we must begin to view pastoral excellence as a way of life. \u201cWe (pastors) are particularly vulnerable,\u201d he noted. \u201cWe can become so deadly busy saving the souls of others that we lose our own souls.<\/p>\n
\u201cCharacter, competence, and constancy add up to a Christian way of life that gives life. And, that is something the world so desperately needs.\u201d<\/p>\n