From chancel to narthex

In the chancel the pastor works in an atmosphere of acknowledged faith – every detail is clear, symmetrical, and purposed under the sign of redemption; in the narthex things are very different. The people, having received the benediction, now make a disorderly re-entry into a world of muddled marriages and chaotic cities, midlife boredom and adolescent confusion, ethical ambiguity and emotional distress. The pastor who has just lifted the cup of blessing before the people now shakes hands with the man whose wife has left him for another; the pastor who has just poured the waters of baptism on the head of an infant now sees pain in the eyes of the mother whose teenager is full of angry rebellion. The pastor who has just addressed a merciful Father in prayer now arranges to visit a bitter and cynical executive who has been unexpectedly discharged from his job; the pastor who has just been confidently handling the scriptures now touches hands that are tense with anxiety and calloused in a harsh servitude. (p. 74-75)

[Kalau ada yang kurang paham, chancel mungkin boleh disebut saja ruang ibadah, sedangkan narthex ruang lobby. Demikian simpelnya. Yang perlu ditekankan di sini, perbedaan suasana di dua ruang tersebut tak berarti bahwa kita hidup di dua dunia terpisah: di ruang ibadah, surgawi; di luar, duniawi atau bahkan satanik. Tidak begitu. Saya justru melihat bahwa tugas seorang pendeta tak berhenti pada memimpin ibadah di chancel, namun berlanjut hingga ke narthex, ke kehidupan sehari-hari setiap anggota jemaat dengan tantangan dan kesulitannya masing-masing. Seorang pendeta yang habis khotbah terus pulang sebenarnya bukan gembala; ia mungkin aktor/aktris atawa selebritis.]

Sumber:
Eugene H. Peterson, Five smooth stones for pastoral work (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1992).