everything i needed to know about the ministry i learned by watching "monk"
1. Adrian Monk is a contemplative. He pays attention to his environment. He looks. He listens.
2. Monk establishes appropriate boundaries. He has a clear sense of who he is, and what he can tolerate, in relation to others.
3. Monk is a wounded healer. He has been through a traumatic experience, and yet he somehow continues to be of service to others.
4. Monk is willing to stand alone, in his convictions, when these go against the grain of most everyone around him.
5. Monk attends to the importance of memory and ritual.
6. Monk surrounds himself with people who are able to do what he cannot do.
7. Monk is trying to solve the really great question in his life.
A pastor could learn a great deal from Adrian Monk. Indeed, I have. Goodbye, Mr. Monk.
posted by Ken Carter at 2:43 PM
Carter's Roost
4 Comments:
Your point 7 caught me.
So often, we spend all our time acting as if we already solved the great question of our life. Especially in preaching, we often speak as if the riddle has been solved. Maybe we need to live more like Trudy's death is still unsolved.
I really enjoy Monk, too. All good things.
Thanks for this post...Monk is an usual guy who is fulfilling his calling in life. Like most clergy. Thanks for making the connections.
I love this post - and will share it widely with my ministerial students - thank you.
Each of these points applies to teachers and teaching students. In daily lessons, we write what the essential question is that we want students to explore. Students need structure (ritual) even though they seek their individuality. We set boundaries for them. Heal them. Listen to them. Number six is the most essential point. If each of us can apply this to our work and to our relationships, we are more likely to achieve our goals, contribute to the common good and find fulfillment in life.
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