The power of pastoral care. Spring 1997 Ben Patterson Current Trends & Columns

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Television personality Garry Moore had a marvelous comeback to those who sent him crank letters. Whenever he received a particularly nasty letter, he would send it back with a note: "The enclosed letter arrived on my desk a few days ago. I am sending it to you in the belief that as a responsible citizen you should know that some idiot is sending out letters over your signature."

I confess: My mouth watered when I read that. I know it's wrong, but I have spent an embarrassing amount of time replaying in my mind angry encounters I have had with people in the church-mental polemics in which I parry all their hostile thrusts with the devastatingly witty repartee I wish I would have delivered. Of course, my words leave them a quivering heap on the floor, begging my forgiveness. Mea culpa.

If all this shocks you, and you can in no way relate, you should turn the page and read something else in this fine journal. But if you can relate, please read on.

Thank you, I knew you would.

Paul too, faced a lot of harsh and unfair critics, the people in the Corinthian church being second only to the forty-some Jews who vowed not to eat or drink until they killed him (Acts 23:12). If there are two top put-downs a congregation can lay on its minister, Corinth delivered both: They said he couldn't preach and that the other pastors they had were better. That stings. I know.

But instead of indulging a comeback, Paul wrote, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any hu-man court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent."

Translated: "I don't care what you think. And I don't care what I think, either."

Though blunt, Paul's words were a reminder that only one opinion counts ...

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