From reading the Wikipedia articles on Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson it does not state that either man was a minister at a church. Jackson, indeed, dropped out of divity school.
Did Jackson or Sharpton ever hold a postion as pastor of a church? Does either man participate actively with any organized church?
(Cite.)
(Cite.)
Neither man seems to have been the stereotypical clergyman of a local church congregation, but there is a longstanding tradition of men called to the ministry for other functions, social advocacy being high on that list. (Think about Francis of Assisi as a historical parallel.)
Al Sharpton, and St. Francis of Assissi?
Pardon me while I die laughing.
Regards,
Shodan
Ugly. The point was made legitimately.
Wasn’t there something about not bringing political arguments into GQ a while ago? The parallel was that they felt called to ministries that were not the normal “pastor taking care of a parish” type, hence the analogy I drew. Perhaps I should have used the “Rev.” M.G. “Pat” Robertson, multimillionare television executive, or the “Rev.” Donald Wildmon, self-styled arbiter of morals, as ministers doing other work?
Keep political snipes out of General Questions. Consider youself warned.
Don’t do this again.
DrMatrix - GQ Moderator
What about many priests who don’t necessarily have a congregation, but instead teach in various schools, or join holy orders?
Former Senator (also U.N. Ambassador and general “special envoy” for several Presidents) John Danforth is an ordained Episcopalian minister who has never been a minister at a church.
May I ask where you got that information?
(Source.)
The bolded items would be actual work as a priest, perhaps on a part-time basis.
And having heard Sharpton preach in Alabama, I can attest to the fact that the man can preach like a mothe…uh, like a person who can preach really, really well. Simply amazing, it was.