have an antique oak pulpit in their living room? For me, it was more than a
conversation piece though; it was a solid and tangible indicator of my
identity. I was a “Preacher” and preachers have pulpits! Once again, after a
relatively long tenure in Limon, CO, the pulpit and I moved to Brighton, CO, a
suburb of Greater Denver. With a church in transition, I had opportunity to
employ my pulpit in the new church building. Following my resignation after
7 ½ years of pastoring the church, I took what many people thought was the
church’s pulpit. Back onto a U-Haul for a long ride to the Blue Grass State of
Kentucky.
After two lonely years of darkness, the pulpit emerged from a storage unit in
Elizabethtown to grace the corner of my garage, also known as “the Men’s
Room.” I look at the ornate carvings consisting of wheat and grapes. I stand
behind it and run my hands over the smooth wood. I sometimes wonder how
many sermons that old pulpit has heard and how many fists have pounded
her surface. Unyielding and unwavering, she stands proud, no worse for the
wear. Perhaps the old pulpit perceives the possibility of new life. Will the
smooth leather of an old Bible once again grace her surfaces? Will the grace
and love of God be proclaimed from her viewpoint? Will the sweaty palms of
a new pastor grip her corners for security? It’s up to the new owner. I’m
ready to let her go.
Ever since coming to United Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, I have
perceived a shifting in my pastoral identity. Maybe it’s a few additional years
and a slight increase in wisdom. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of shuffling the
old pulpit around. But I know honestly what it is. For the first time in my
pastoral career, I feel less like a “preacher” and more like a “shepherd.” It is a
joy beyond measure and a realization that “aha, so this is what pastoring is
supposed to be like.” Even on Sunday mornings, I occasionally leave the
safety zone of the pulpit and come down to the floor. The preacher in me
was most likely to lead from the front, from behind the pulpit. The shepherd,
whom is growing in me, experiences fellowship from the midst of the flock,
conversation piece though; it was a solid and tangible indicator of my
identity. I was a “Preacher” and preachers have pulpits! Once again, after a
relatively long tenure in Limon, CO, the pulpit and I moved to Brighton, CO, a
suburb of Greater Denver. With a church in transition, I had opportunity to
employ my pulpit in the new church building. Following my resignation after
7 ½ years of pastoring the church, I took what many people thought was the
church’s pulpit. Back onto a U-Haul for a long ride to the Blue Grass State of
Kentucky.
After two lonely years of darkness, the pulpit emerged from a storage unit in
Elizabethtown to grace the corner of my garage, also known as “the Men’s
Room.” I look at the ornate carvings consisting of wheat and grapes. I stand
behind it and run my hands over the smooth wood. I sometimes wonder how
many sermons that old pulpit has heard and how many fists have pounded
her surface. Unyielding and unwavering, she stands proud, no worse for the
wear. Perhaps the old pulpit perceives the possibility of new life. Will the
smooth leather of an old Bible once again grace her surfaces? Will the grace
and love of God be proclaimed from her viewpoint? Will the sweaty palms of
a new pastor grip her corners for security? It’s up to the new owner. I’m
ready to let her go.
Ever since coming to United Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, I have
perceived a shifting in my pastoral identity. Maybe it’s a few additional years
and a slight increase in wisdom. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of shuffling the
old pulpit around. But I know honestly what it is. For the first time in my
pastoral career, I feel less like a “preacher” and more like a “shepherd.” It is a
joy beyond measure and a realization that “aha, so this is what pastoring is
supposed to be like.” Even on Sunday mornings, I occasionally leave the
safety zone of the pulpit and come down to the floor. The preacher in me
was most likely to lead from the front, from behind the pulpit. The shepherd,
whom is growing in me, experiences fellowship from the midst of the flock,
| “FOR SALE: ONE WELL TRAVELLED PULPIT” |
| WHO IS MURRAY McCANDLESS? Go HERE to find out! |
It now sits in my garage, but it’s been all over.
It started out its life in the First Baptist Church
of Terre Haute, Indiana. At least, that’s what I
was told. When I got it, it had been moved from
the former church facility, but only made it as
far as the storage closet in the new church
building which had been completed sometime
in the late 60’s. But with the installation of a
new pastor and a young upstart trustee on the
It started out its life in the First Baptist Church
of Terre Haute, Indiana. At least, that’s what I
was told. When I got it, it had been moved from
the former church facility, but only made it as
far as the storage closet in the new church
building which had been completed sometime
in the late 60’s. But with the installation of a
new pastor and a young upstart trustee on the
board in the early 90’s, it was time to “clean house.” The pulpit
was headed for the toothpick factory. I intercepted it and it has
been with me for some 18 years. I took it home and it became a
piece of corner furniture as well as a conversation piece. Then,
the pulpit took a long ride on a U-Haul from Indiana to Colorado.
was headed for the toothpick factory. I intercepted it and it has
been with me for some 18 years. I took it home and it became a
piece of corner furniture as well as a conversation piece. Then,
the pulpit took a long ride on a U-Haul from Indiana to Colorado.
Again, it sat in a corner with a light behind it and was used as a
conversation piece. I mean, how many people do you know who
conversation piece. I mean, how many people do you know who
But what of the pulpit you ask? Ebay? Maybe. Craigslist?
A possibility. Auctioned off live in my local area? A good
possibility. But the question that is in the forefront of my mind
is, “does anyone know where I can find a good used
shepherd’s staff?”
A possibility. Auctioned off live in my local area? A good
possibility. But the question that is in the forefront of my mind
is, “does anyone know where I can find a good used
shepherd’s staff?”
From the Mainstream, I’m Pastor/Shepherd Murray
leads to new and green pastures from the front of the flock
and occasionally urges progressive movement from the back
of the flock. What a thrill it is to be discovering a new aspect
of being a pastor.
and occasionally urges progressive movement from the back
of the flock. What a thrill it is to be discovering a new aspect
of being a pastor.