A New Year's wish
Would that God bless us all with faithful undershepherds, like Chaplain to the World, who get this.
We need Pastors, not glib, glad-handing, “friends”, and I think Rev. Kavouras deserves (let those who know him understand) a big hug for saying so! ;^)
-ghp
And a big E-hug right back at you, Glen. I woke up with morning with a new thought to add to the post you reference. To wit: Please don’t make me bring up the subject of the formal greeting, back-slapping, hugging and hand-shaking with which some congregations begin their Mass, or I might have a major Pastor Kavouras hissy fit (MPKHF) right here in the blogosphere.
One more, then I’m done.
And while I’m simpering let me take a stab at “up-speak,” the habit of raising the pitch and tone of your voice at the end of a sentence. Up-speak implies uncertainty, and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ should never be that. Keep the voice even, boys, keep it even.
I’m right there with you on both accounts, Pr. Kavouras!
But at least the “back-slap” greetings are at the start of the service, unlike the liturgy-disrupting practice that is the “sharing of the peace”. I’ve seen that totally disrupt the flow of the liturgy as things head towards the Supper, creating a little meet & greet “happy hour”. It’s a total misuse of the salutary practice of reconciling with someone before approaching the table.
As for the rising inflection habit, that’s something that I’m constantly correcting my 10 y/o daughter about. It seems to be a habit that is (pun fully intended) on the upswing these days, usually in conjunction with “like, you know, like, stuff…”. Ick.