Pastors see people at their best and worst, but clergy are also human. An idealistic trust of his new congregation creates challenges for the naive pastor. Seeing his calling to be a conquering Knight, he goes forth into the Kingdom for his heavenly King, while the flock feels just fine, don’t disturb us.

Relax and enjoy the light and heavy sides of ministry from the perspective of a young pastor.

What should a pastor not omit in premarital counseling?

Why was reconciliation needed at a wedding?

What happens when there is a wolf in the flock?

The Knight Years is going to bless people. It will bring back memories for old pastors. New pastors will enjoy it, because it gives them something for which to look ahead.” Nancy Tapsfield, Editor.

Read a story each day from The Knight Years and pray for your pastor.

One afternoon a middle aged man, a young teen, and a boy walked onto the parsonage porch. The neighbor next to the church had directed them to our home. The man looked to be in his thirties and asked, “Would you marry us?” Several people were looking out the open widows of the car that was parked by the curb. I asked him, “Who is getting married?” He responded, “Us,” and pointed to the young girl that had come up on the porch beside him. I asked if they had a marriage license. He handed me an envelope. I invited them into the parsonage. As the young boy ran to the car, he hollered, “He’s a gonna’ do it. He’s a gonna do it.” It was then that I looked closely at the car. It was already decorated with white crepe paper, and shaving cream spelled out, “Just Married.” Tin cans were tied to the bumper. “I believe we need to talk about this,” was my opening remark as I looked at the wedding license. It revealed his age to be thirty four and hers was sixteen. “We know all about the Christian life. There is no need to talk,” he responded. I attempted to give them some guidance. “There’s a lot to know about life and each other besides the Christian life.” I hoped to get them to change their minds about an immediate wedding. He responded, “I have known her all week. We know all we need to know about each other. Are you going to marry us or not?”

Dr. Blair Rorabaugh has served growing churches in Illinois, West Virginia, Ohio, and Alaska. He is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and earned his Doctor of Ministry at Ashland Theological Seminary.

Pastor Blair and his wife, Cindy, have two adult children and four grandchildren.

Dr. Rorabaugh is a search and rescue pilot for the Alaska Civil Air Patrol with several saves. These experiences add human interest to his pulpit ministry and writing.