Ask the Pastor: What's on Your Mind?
by the Rev. Walter Snyder
Religion Columnist
     Showing that he's as willing as anyone to take a chance, publisher Gary Beissenherz has
invited a new column to the pages of the Concordian. While "Ask the Pastor" and its author are still
new to the Concordia area, I'm not a novice columnist. I wrote a similar column for the Newsboy of
Jasper, Texas for almost four years. Along with the newspaper, "Ask the Pastor" has been distributed
on the internet and has answered questions from every continent except Antarctica.
     So what is "Ask the Pastor"? The answer depends largely on two things. First, it needs
questions from readers. Hence, "Ask." Second, it needs someone to receive and answer. That's "the
Pastor." As long as we have these two, we can hope for success.
     Before going any deeper into today's article, shall we proceed with introductions? I am Pastor
Walter Snyder. I am a member of the Lutheran Church---Missouri Synod and pastor of Holy Cross
Lutheran Church in Emma.
     Want to know the differences among church bodies? "Ask the Pastor." Like to find out what
all those fancy robes and things that some ministers wear are called? "Ask the Pastor." Want to pick a
nasty fight with someone? Don't ask here! The purpose of the column is to allow learning and
growing, not arguing. Thus, while we want this to be a free and open exchange of questions and
answers, we have a couple basic rules so things run smoothly:
     1) Ask good, clear questions on matters concerning churches, ministers, personal faith, the
Scriptures, and such.
     2) Be specific. Don't be so specific that everyone knows whom you are talking about and
thinks that you're out to get someone else.
     Questions will be answered based upon available space, interest to the public, interest to this
writer, and general suitability.
     I'd rather not play "stump the Pastor." It will be more enjoyable for me (and probably for
you) if we use this as a time to learn and grow, rather than playing Obscure Bible Trivia. There may
be times when I write an article based upon a season of the Church Year or some special event, but
most of our time together will be spent in the question-and-answer format that will make "Ask the
Pastor" work. Since no one has had opportunity to write in, I'll set the tone by asking a question of
myself this week.
     Q: You are called "pastor." Others are called minister, brother, father, or such. What
gives with using this title?
     A: "Pastor" comes from the Latin word for shepherd. Pastors are shepherds of God's flock. In
both the Old and New Testaments, God calls men to take care of his "sheep." Often, ministers are
called "under-shepherds of the Good Shepherd." A great Biblical example is Christ's command to
Peter: "Feed my sheep." A "minister" is one who takes care of affairs on behalf of another or who
cares for someone else; this, too, is part of what I do.
     While some shy away from the term "father," the title has been used in many Christian
churches, including much of Lutheranism at various times. Its usage is suggested by Paul's speaking of
himself as a spiritual father to the Corinthians: "I became your father in Christ Jesus through the
gospel." (1 Cor. 4:15) Spiritual fatherhood comes from proclaiming the Gospel of forgiveness. Similar
language is in 1 Thessalonians 2:11. He also wrote of his spiritual relationships with Pastor Timothy
and runaway slave Onesimus as that of a father with his sons.
     To Ask the Pastor, please write: Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send
email to askthepastor@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
     Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."