A long time back when I used to subscribe to Surfer magazine, I would often read about friction between two distinct camps - the "pro surfer" and the "soul surfer". You could be a member of both at one time, but that wasn’t likely, plus it could create internal and external conflict.
The pro surfer was a "shredder" who traveled the world on the pro tour circuit, making a living doing what he or she loved; sometimes making more than a decent amount of clams. He had all the right moves. A technically fine-tuned riding machine. But he also had to deal with the pressure to get and keep those telephoto shots in the magazines, and the clothing, flip-flop, and board sponsorships. The beauty of the pristine barrel would gradually disappear in the blur of bucks.And then there was the soul surfer. Maybe he could rip, maybe not. Maybe he was an older guy on a duct tape patched longboard, riding the nose at a nice waist-high break, the sun setting warmly on his shoulders. He knew he just belonged out their in the lineup, waiting for the next set. Or paddling out with just a buddy or two, enjoying a secret spot that only they and the dolphins knew about. He’d take the time to teach somebody the art of wave riding. It didn’t matter that the world didn’t see him ride. He was on cloud nine even though standing on fiberglass. He was made to be out there.
Sometime the pro would yurn for the sponsor-free days of soul, recalling riding for the sheer delight of it. Maybe he'd drop off the tour scene and reconnect with a lost love. Sometimes a talented soul guy would get tired of missing a good day of waves shackled to the desk or counter, and would go on the search for wave fortune and fame.
I’m honored to call myself a pastor. I don’t mean that in an egotistical way; I consider it a privilege to be engaged in the work of Jesus in this capacity. I think there are soul pastors and pro pastors. Let me make a couple of things very clear before I continue. I think it is Biblical for a pastor to be financially compensated for his work and every church needs to make sure they are on the same page as God when it comes to this area of stewardship. But I’m not talking about that. I’m referring to the individual pastor’s heart and mind. His motivation. And the character behind that motivation.
I don’t believe Jesus ever intended the pastoral call to look like some of the ways we see it played out in the everyday “workday” of “professional clergy”. I’m not saying that it’s wrong for a pastor to have an office, a schedule, an assistant, and the many other things that are borrowed from the corporate structure of the western business world. But many pastors have disappeared into the CEO hole and have dropped their staff (the shepherd kind). Taken their eyes off the sheep. Lost their pastoral soul. They’re walking a career path, not a sheep path. Where’s the next opportunity for advancement? How are my numbers in the pews and with the budget? Do I have enough quality sermon material for a book?
Let me make another disclaimer here, at the risk of breaking my stride. I don’t want to be misunderstood. There are many who have answered God’s pastoral call and sacrifice daily in ways you can’t imagine. I’m not talking about them. I’m just letting you know I know they exist.
For the surfer, in my opinion, if you ain’t got soul, you ain’t the real deal. Whether you pay the bills that way or not - doesn’t matter. You've missed it, lost it, or never had it. Same for the pastor.
I’ve been playing in the water of the Outer Banks of NC since I was 11 years old. I remember a few years later, as a young man, wanting to be out on one of those surfboards being ridden by those guys. Remember, surfing wasn’t nearly as popular out East as it is now. They would just do such cool things. Rip it up. Get some air. Ride the lip.
And then there was Delbert. An old guy (shoot, he was probably only in his early 30’s tops). He had a very well maintained beer belly. His board was long when that wasn’t the rage. And he just rode in with a classic pose. Maybe walking up on the nose. Didn’t wear the latest fashionable board shorts. I can still see him in my mind’s eye. Delbert was just authentically cool. There was a sense that he had forgotten more about surfing than most of the guys around him knew. At least he was in-tuned to the important stuff. He had soul.
I never met Delbert, but I saw him out there many times over a few years. I really regret not ever talking to him. My guess is that if God had called him to be a pastor, he’d have made God smile alot.
