This Odd and Wondrous Calling Quotes

“It is not coincidence that Jesus said both, "Love your neighbor," and, "Love your enemy," because often they are the same person.”
― Lillian Daniel, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers

“Even when ministry is hard, it's more fun than any other job I can imagine. Where else can you preach, teach, meet with a lead abatement specialist, and get arrested for civil disobedience all in the same week?”
― Lillian Daniel, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers

“I remember sitting at the back of the sanctuary, reviewing my notes for my very first seminary-intern sermon. It was to be a mighty word from God that would correct all the hypocrisy, greed, and faithlessness of the local church that was, nonetheless, supporting my education as they had supported that of so many others. As I mustered my courage to sock it to them, I overheard one woman lean across her walker and whisper loudly to her pew mate, 'Ah, our new intern is preaching. I see it's time for our annual scolding.”
― Lillian Daniel, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers

“Pastors are generalists. In fact, we are among the last generalists in a culture that draws people into ever-narrower areas of specialization.”
― Lillian Daniel, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers

“I knew I wanted to study the church, but I had no inkling what it might mean to lead one. I could barely put together the words to name a call to ministry. The best I could articulate was a rather vague 'call to divinity school.' Still, that acceptance letter gave me a new talking point at my parents' cocktail parties.”
― Lillian Daniel, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers

“At my daughter's elementary school musical, the printed program modestly explained: "This musical was originally written for 15 actors, but it has been adapted to accommodate our cast of 206.”
― Lillian Daniel, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers

“How cruel it seemed to me that people in the grip of delusion often turned to God, only to dredge up some punishing version.”
― Lillian Daniel, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers