The Weight of the Keys

As I was driving in to my first day of a new pastoral position, I was reminded of other first days of work in the churches where I served as pastor. The first church I served, while I was a lay speaker, not yet really clergy at all, they actually handed me the set of keys to the church! I was shocked and amazed that they would turn their church right over to me like that! There in my hand was total access. And, of course, I would continually learn, weighty responsibility.

The next time I moved to serve a church, fully ordained, fully prepared, fully clergy, on the first day, there were the keys. Usually there were a number of them. A key to the outside door. A key to the office, a master key, etc. etc. It seemed that each time I received a set of keys, they got heavier and heavier. A key to the furnace room, a key to the elevator, a key to the room with the safe. Eventually, I learned to keep my car and house key separate, and the church keys on a ring together. Most of the time, they were in my pocket, as I was constantly going in and out of somewhere. For those days when my clothing didn't have any pockets, I still had to carry the keys everywhere. There was a purple stretchy plastic coil around the key-ring which I could wear on my arm, if need be.

This morning I wondered about the keys. When I retired, I was so happy to give up the very heavy bunch of keys, which had come to represent to me the burden of full responsibility. Now, as an associate pastor with a part time job, I secretely hoped the job would come without a heavy set of keys. When I came back into the main office just before noon, there was a discussion about how I would gain access to the building. I was very pleased to receive just one key. It gives me access to all the outside doors. I don't yet know where those multiple outside doors are located; I just know that I can gain access. Good feeling. Also glad not to know about the furnace and elevator. For now at least.

I have no doubt that there will be plenty of responsibility. I am very glad to have a supporting role and not be the one in charge.

The one key seemed just about right! It also seemed like a metaphor for a new relationship with the church, a new role, a new beginning.

I know that it is going to be fun!