". . . the pastor must not be 'busy.' Busyness is an illness of spirit, a rush from one thing to another because there is no ballast of vocational integrity and no confidence in the primacy of grace. In order there to be conversation and prayer that do the pastoral work of meeting the intimacy needs among people, there must be a wide margin of quiet leisure that defies the functional, technological, dehumanizing definitions that are imposed upon people by others in the community." (Eugene Peterson, Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work, pp61-62).
I suppose it is what the congregation never sees that makes a pastoral ministry. The church that invests the most in the pastor's private chamber benefits the greatest from his public ministry.
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Great quote! I have really enjoyed Peterson's book, The Contemplative Pastor, which contains a chapter entitled, "The Unbusy Pastor." He expounds further the idea in your quote. I found it convicting, liberating and encouraging.
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