Thanksgiving is this week so that means we have already been under a constant barrage of Christmas music for several weeks now. As I have fought through this in a very Grinchy fashion I have begun to wonder about Parson Brown in the classic Holiday song Winter Wonderland. You know he was who they were going to pretend that the snowman was."In the meadow we can build a snowman, and pretend that he is Parson Brown". Any ways, I have always been aware of the term Parson, but did not really know its origin. A quick Google search will tell you that a Parson was a clergy member, especially in the Anglican tradition, that was the overseer or pastor of a church, usually in the country, that was not a part of a larger charge or presbytery.
This term has fallen out of use many places, because people are not fond of its rural implications. Somehow to be called Parson is to be viewed as a rube of sorts amongst men of God. As I looked at this I was really brought to an appreciation of this word and title. As a pastor in a rural church I am called many things. Some call me Preacher, others Pastor, and a few just call me Russell. All are generally appropriate and acceptable. However, I think the term parson is maybe the most apt title for someone in this church context.
1. Parson has been used for other denominations besides Anglican for many years.
2. The rural connotation is wholly applicable.
3. The independent church model that this term is derived from is applicable.
4. I live in a parsonage.
5. Parson originated because it meant he was the person to see about matters of God and His church.
Here is a great quote from William Blackstone from his Commentaries on the law of England:
"A parson, persona ecclesiae, is one that has full possession of all the rights of a parochial church. He is called parson, persona, because by his person the church, which is an invisible body, is represented; and he is in himself a body corporate, in order to protect and defend the rights of the church (which he personates) by a perpetual succession. He is sometimes called the rector, or governor, of the church: but the appellation of parson, (however it may be depreciated by familiar, clownish, and indiscriminate use) is the most legal, most beneficial, and most honorable title that a parish priest can enjoy; because such a one, (Sir Edward Coke observes) and he only, is said vicem seu personam ecclesiae gerere ("to carry out the business of the church in person")"
This term has fallen out of use many places, because people are not fond of its rural implications. Somehow to be called Parson is to be viewed as a rube of sorts amongst men of God. As I looked at this I was really brought to an appreciation of this word and title. As a pastor in a rural church I am called many things. Some call me Preacher, others Pastor, and a few just call me Russell. All are generally appropriate and acceptable. However, I think the term parson is maybe the most apt title for someone in this church context.
1. Parson has been used for other denominations besides Anglican for many years.
2. The rural connotation is wholly applicable.
3. The independent church model that this term is derived from is applicable.
4. I live in a parsonage.
5. Parson originated because it meant he was the person to see about matters of God and His church.
Here is a great quote from William Blackstone from his Commentaries on the law of England:
"A parson, persona ecclesiae, is one that has full possession of all the rights of a parochial church. He is called parson, persona, because by his person the church, which is an invisible body, is represented; and he is in himself a body corporate, in order to protect and defend the rights of the church (which he personates) by a perpetual succession. He is sometimes called the rector, or governor, of the church: but the appellation of parson, (however it may be depreciated by familiar, clownish, and indiscriminate use) is the most legal, most beneficial, and most honorable title that a parish priest can enjoy; because such a one, (Sir Edward Coke observes) and he only, is said vicem seu personam ecclesiae gerere ("to carry out the business of the church in person")"
- — Bl. Comm. I.11.V, p. *372
- Blackstone even addresses the idea that this term has been depreciated by being used as a caricature of some lowly incarnation of the clergy. That aside, I believe that with the evidence presented, any rural pastor should be very happy to embrace the title of Parson. It encapsulates who we are much more than Reverend or even Preacher. We are the Preacher, Pastor, Youth Pastor, sometime Janitor, website operator, occasional music leader, prayer leader, etc., etc., etc.. The very nature of the church in a rural community requires that the pastor be the person to see or Parson. It is a wonderful term of endearment and I wish we would use it more.
- You might think that I am a fool for ruminating on what seems to be an insignificant topic. I would challenge you with this. If rural pastors really embrace who they are, or at least who they should be then perhaps we would see more revitalization in the country churches. The reason for focusing in on this terminology is simply to bring to mind who we could and should be through the power of the Savior that lives within us. A Country Parson is a man of God that can be a stalwart presence and force for the Gospel to a whole community if he embraces the roots of that title. As goes the future small town and country church, so goes the whole of the church in America. We need a lot more Parsons and a few less Reverends, Amen? Amen and Amen.
- Parson Threet
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