Prince Albert is a city of about 40,000 people, big enough for a Wendy's (Finally!) yet small enough where you get noticed. And I love that about this place.
It also makes pastoring a bit different than when we did it in big city Winnipeg. For instance, today is our city's street fair. They close up a Central Avenue and have different activities running all day- kind of a big party thing.
I know some of the shop owners downtown, the ones who are putting the thing on. They know me and what I do around here. Even if they don't attend church, they know that I do. And they have reminded me that today is the big day. So, I need to attend. To be faithful to these relationships I have been developing, I need to be there.
Now, I usually love these kinds of things, so it's not any hardship. But it dawned on me last night that, yes, I'm going as Randall Friesen, but I'm also going because I am a pastor.
As Randall Friesen, the pastor, I have relationships with these people. And many of them have relationships with The Pastor, Randall Friesen.
See the difference?
In a smaller location you are tagged by what you do. There is less room for anonymity, to be just Randall Friesen and thus enjoy a day off.
I will have to make decisions today, because I am a pastor, in public. Decisions that I wouldn't have to worry about, if I was just Randall Friesen, the guy.
While I don't think there is a great difference between R.F. and T.P. there is that subtle underlying thing at work that I always am aware of, thinking about what I'm doing, at any given moment, because I'm The Pastor.
It just means that a real day "off" comes rarely.
Anyway, that will be fun, and a couple of the non-working kids are coming along with me.
Then, this afternoon, Lauralea and I are attending a wedding reception for some friends. None of that R.F vs T.P. stuff going on over there. To them we are friends first, shepherds second, and that's a cool thing.
So the day's going to be full. Lot's of work will be done, people connected with, relationships enhanced, and I trust, God will be blessed through our choices.