Preacher's Self Presentation

It's interesting how something that is almost tangential or not central to a conversation, a book, or a classroom lecture can take hold of the listener. I can say that many times it is the Holy Spirit.

I don't remember where it was, probably in my preaching book, but I read a reflection that has been nagging at me. I've heard so many times that the pastor should talk about their weaknesses. They should not be afraid to show how they are not perfect. That they will be humanized. I think I've heard that so much that I forget that a congregation also needs to have confidence in the guidance of the pastor. Confidence that while the pastor is human, the pastor is also striving, and somewhat successfully, after the Christian Life.

The passage in the book referred to how as preachers and pastors we should not make ourselves out to be saints, but we also cannot constantly be harping on our weaknesses too. Of course I take this new conviction of balance and am afraid of all the negatives I've been sharing with my congregation. But they are good kind people and I trust that they see the good in me even if I'm not highlighting it. I will strive in the future to find a better balance. I need to make sure I'm also showing my spiritual gifts, strengths, learnings, and passion. I think I've got the other side down pretty well :)

What's my Ethical System?

I've been doing a lot of internal reflecting so far this semester. That plus a lot of early assignments is why I haven't been blogging about classes. I've been struck by so many things in my life. My ethics class has been challenging me to consider the underlying ethical system that I use to evaluate my decisions. I don't believe that the Bible holds some clear rules to apply uniformly across all situations. So if not uniform, then how do I come to my decisions. I was fine with things, but my professor suggested that if there isn't a coherent system, if I just make up my mind in each situation using the things that seem good to me at the time, then my ethic is wishi washi and up to my whim. Instead we've been reading about some ethical systems in the book "Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics" which takes a bumper sticker type slogan and expands the ethical system behind it and then critiques it. I've found myself in almost all of these so far. My question for myself then becomes: if all of these guide me to some extent, what is at the base below which I will not go? I know I draw heavily on love as my method and virtues as my goal. So what ethical system do you think you are?
When in Rome do as the romans Do: cultural relativism
Look out for Number One: Ethical Egoism
I couldn't help myself: behaviorism
The Greatest Happiness for the greates number: Utilitarianism
It's your duty: Kantian Ethics
Be Good: Virtue Ethics
All you need is love:  Situation Ethics
Doing what comes naturally: natural law ethics
God Said it, I believe it, That settles it: Divine Command Theory