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[MJTM 16 (2014–2015) 131–50] Lee Beach It Is a Divine Mystery, but It

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[MJTM 16 (2014–2015) 131–50] Lee Beach It Is a Divine Mystery, but It [MJTM 16 (2014–2015) 131–50] THE MINISTER AS ARTIST: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND MINISTRY FORMATION Lee Beach McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada It is a divine mystery, but it must be stated, that Christian ministry is God’s work.1 God is the one who accomplishes his purposes, and it is best for us human creatures to admit that we do not fully understand how it all works. No matter how well we perform, or how hard we try, it seems that there is very little we can do to bring about the transformation of those we are called to minister to. The work of transformation is profoundly the work of God. We scatter the seed, someone else may water it, but it is God who gives it any real growth (1 Cor 3:6). To not ac- knowledge this is foolish, because it is a fundamental reality when it comes to the work of Christian ministry. However, as part of the mystery of ministry, and just as surely as it is ul- timately up to God, there is a human component to ministry as well. While not much will happen unless God shows up and does his work, it is also true that not much will happen unless the ministering person shows up and faithfully does their work. It seems like this is the way that God has made it. This can be argued from at least two perspectives. First, Scripture provides us with a clear sense of the partnership that God intends to have with humanity in carrying out his work in this world. From the creation narrative itself with its injunction to the original couple to engage the world and take leadership over it (Gen 1:28), to the placing of Adam in the garden of Eden to work and tend it (Gen 2:15), to the call of Abraham to trust 1. This article is a version of an address given on the occasion of my installation as Garbutt F. Smith Chair of Ministry Formation at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada on 9 February 2015. 132 McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 16 God and go on a journey so that God could make him a blessing to all nations (Gen 12:1–4), we can see that from the beginning God has always had a partnership with humanity in mind when it comes to carrying out his work in this world. Moving forward, this idea is mirrored in Jesus’ commission to his disciples in Matt 28:18–20 when he commands them to go into the world and continue his mission. Again, the work of Jesus in this world is placed in the hands of human beings who are given the responsibility to carry it out. Secondly, human experience teach- es us that this is true. While there are times when exceptions occur, by far the norm is that people come to Christ, grow in Christ, and the Kingdom of God is made manifest, when people are actively working for those ends. Few people come to Jesus apart from some kind of relational connection. Few of us grow in our faith without the help and input of others. Expressions of God’s work, whether that be the preaching of the gospel, care for the marginalized, or any initiative that is in keeping with God’s desire for justice to reign, never occur apart from some person or group’s giving themselves to that work. While human effort alone may not bring about the transformation of the world that God desires, that transformation almost never happens apart from human effort. Hence, there is a need for people to be formed for ministry. If people play a crucial role in God’s work, then there is a need for them to be helped in their understanding and ability to participate as effectively as possible in this work. This is even more im- portant when it comes to those who are called to lead in this enterprise. In fact, there is little need for churches to engage in training their laity, or for seminaries their students, if this is not the case. If the role of the human being is not essential to God’s work, then there is no need for anyone to pursue training in ministry formation at all. However, if in God’s economy human participation is crucial to the development of his kingdom on earth, then investing in their formation is fundamental to God’s purposes. This being the case, some reflection on the role that the ministering person plays in achieving God’s purposes is in order. This kind of reflection invites us to consider what role BEACH Minister as Artist 133 ministry formation plays in helping the ministering person prepare for and continue in the work of Christian ministry. Thinking about this tension between the divine and human work of ministry brings us to a place where it is best to acknowledge that ministry is an art, not a science. That is, there is not an A + B = C formula to the work of ministry. Ministry does not fit a simple (or complex for that matter) formula that assures a particular result. Instead, it is more like an art. It may have some structure to it; there may be some ways of doing things that are better than others; perhaps there are some conventions that can be followed that will lead to “success,” but in the end, ministry is free-flowing, situational, and creative. Thus, when thinking about formation for ministry, perhaps much can be learned from studying artists. Those who work in the realm of the arts and live their lives creatively may provide a model for people who are seeking to develop themselves as effective ministers. Artists seek to engage other human beings by contributing something that offers meaning to their lives. Whether that be simply a piece of good entertainment or a profound reflection on the reality of living life in this world, the artist is one who is trying to say something that connects with other people and provides them with a meaningful experience and the opportunity to encounter a truth that helps them make sense of their lives. One artist who is renowned for his ability to do this is the musician, Bruce Springsteen. Through his music, performances, and interaction with his fans, Springsteen rose to fame and has sustained his career in the fickle music industry due, in large part, to his ability to connect deeply with others and provide transcendent experiences for them. For millions of people, he is far more than a rock star; he is a person who helps them see themselves and their lives more clearly. For his audience, he captures the realities of life in this world in a way that clarifies the world and enables them to understand it more fully. For many, he acts as a kind of pastor who offers wisdom, comfort, 134 McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 16 challenge, and direction for life.2 Perhaps by looking at this one particular artist, there are things that we can learn about the art of ministry and what it means to be formed for ministry so that our lives may also be able to engage with the lives of others in ways that serve them just like the art of Springsteen serves so many. This article will focus particularly on formation for vocational ministry, although the ideas expressed here can certainly apply to all people engaged in ministry whether it is their chosen career or not. The main contours of the article inform ministry in all its various shapes and speak to some key perspectives on what it means to be formed in a way that enables us to serve as God’s partners in ministry most effectively. Bruce Springsteen: The Artist Springsteen was born into a working-class family in Freehold, New Jersey on September 23, 1949. He was formed by his parents’ struggle to keep the family’s head above water, his father’s battle with finding steady work and depression, and his Catholic school education. Influenced by the music and image of Elvis, he found his salvation in the guitar and began playing in local bands when he was still a teenager.3 After years of struggle as a musician, Springsteen signed with Columbia records in 1972. The record company had the idea that he would be the “next Bob Dylan.”4 His first album was released in 1973, and while it (his second record was also released that same year) received widespread critical praise, neither sold particularly well. This led to discussion at his record label that, if the next album did not sell well, it would be better for Columbia to cut their losses and release Springsteen from his contract. The release of his 1975 album, Born to Run, began to change Bruce’s 2. One of Springsteen’s biographers acknowledges that Bruce plays the role of “Pastor” to his audience sometimes. Dolan, Bruce Springsteen, 363. 3. For excellent biographies on Springsteen, see Marsh, Bruce Springsteen; Ames Carlin, Bruce; and Dolan, Bruce Springsteen. 4. This was the label that was thrust upon him by various promotional people and rock critics. See Ames Carlin, Bruce, 118–22. BEACH Minister as Artist 135 life. The title track of the album became his first hit single, and the album exploded onto the music charts and into “classic” status as one of rock music’s most iconic records. Since then, he has become one of rock-and-roll’s all-time great artists, selling 120 million (and counting) albums, winning twenty Grammy awards, one Academy Award, and numerous other honors.
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