Letter to a Future Minister

To a student or recent graduate considering the ministry,

If you are one of the many Americans who have watched the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's performance at the National Press Club, or perhaps read the transcript of his remarks, you may be confused as to the function of a minister.

Allow me to offer some clarification.

Careerinfonet.org has a helpful profile on the wages and occupational requirements of a member of the clergy (it's even specific to Illinois).

I draw your attention to the Skills section:

Skills:

Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Social Perceptiveness—Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Reading this may help clarify the position.

Sincerely,

Liz