As I continue on this journey of spirit/self I'm on, I find that I just don't have the energy to play games or to BS people. So when asked a question about my opinion I give it as it is. Today while sitting in a class the instructor asked about how things had gone with the preparing for the class my opinion was asked for specifically. I have worked with this instructor for 7 months. I value her opinion and she values mine because we have built that relationship that is honest and we both know we have the best interest of those we work with at heart. So after hearing other people complain about how they "couldn't" get the book read when they had more then a month to do so I gave my opinion. I stated that I was able to get the book read, review questions worked on and make flashcards for terms while still having a life and working my full time hours. My response was met with "that was blunt and mean" and with the look of "you need to take it back." My opinion counts just as much as anyone else. The whole class was asked so why should I be discounted or expected to retract my opinion? So you ask and don't want me to tell then why ask? I'm not going to "drink the company Kool-Aid" just because it sounds nice or pretty. I'm going to speak the truth to the power as I see it. You can disagree all you want but no one should be forced into not speaking their truth. How else do we learn or grow if people don't speak when asked?
As a minister I have the honor of performing rites and ceremonies for people at a variety of stages of life: baptisms, blessings, marriages, funerals, etc. I usually enjoy planning and leading these events. But lately I've had a rash of folks shocked that as a minister, I would have a fee to do some of these services. So lets talk about why I have fees. To start with, if you are a member of my congregation you do get my services as a part of my contract with the congregation as long as they are spelled out in the contract. Generally if you're a member of the congregation I serve, it is expected that I will preform baptisms, blessings, funerals, weddings, etc for you because I want to remind you of God's continuous blessing in your life and especially at important moments in your life. However some folks are shocked that there would be an honorarium suggested for the minister. The reality is that these blessings, weddings, funerals, etc. are extra work in our wee...
Comments
Post a Comment