In her prize-winning book, Gilead, Marilynne Robinson uses the pastoral settings of Iowa to challenge ministers to live up to their high callings. One of the most powerful themes in the novel is the pastor’s power to “bless.” The tension in the novel builds as we watch Rev. Ames struggle with the challenge to bless his namesake Jack Boughton.

I will not give away the dramatic ending to the story, but wish to share a few Robinsonian thoughts that come from the story. The struggle began for John Ames when he held back his blessing when he was unexpectedly called upon to baptize his Jack. His only reason for holding back was his friend’s surprise naming of the child after Ames. The boy struggled through life always running from the faith and causing disappointment to his family and friends. The boy’s disappointments shamed Ames and caused him to withhold any blessing upon Jack.

I mention this to comment on the interactions of many of my friends to Peter Leithart’s recent writings and speeches about the “End of Protestantism.” Some have spoken of pastoral concerns and used other odd phrases when referring to the challenge to reach across denominational lines to befriend Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians.

I labor in a community with a large Roman Catholic influence and a few Greek Orthodox congregations. Many years ago I was compelled to reach into these communities to participate in ecumenical services and other activities in the community. To my surprise I found that real friendships developed and many opportunities opened for me to minister within the community. I was asked to be the chaplain at the local American Legion Post and then to also become the chaplain for the local police department. Just recently I was also asked to be chaplain for the local ambulance service. All three organizations are led by Catholics who were comfortable in bestowing responsibilities to serve on the local Protestant minister. I believe these ministerial opportunities were a result of earlier moves to build ecumenical friendships.

These new duties have given me opportunities to bestow pastoral “blessings” upon many outside the walls of my own parish. Members of my community who were in need of God’s blessing did not despise the blessing due to my denominational affiliation.

In January of 2013 I was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer that threatened my life. I have been through chemotherapy, radiation, and tumor removal surgery. I just began my fourth round of chemotherapy a few weeks ago. During my struggles and challenges I became the one in need of “blessings.”  When I found out back in January 2014 that the cancer had come back in a lymph node in my back I struggled with the prospect of round three of chemotherapy. While sitting at my desk one Saturday I was finishing my sermon when I received a phone call from Father Mike Taylor, the Roman priest up the road. He called to tell me he had heard of my new situation from one of his parishioners and wanted to let me know he was praying for me and was encouraging his flock to do the same. I was very grateful for the support.

When I first received my diagnosis last year I reached out to the Congregational minister up the road, Pastor Mark Rideout, to ask if he would help give me pastoral support through my ailment.  Even though we have some theological difference I have found him to be a most faithful pastor who has blessed me with prayers, timely cards and visits. He has also guided his flock to support me through my ordeal and many of them have provided timely blessings to my family.

People know when we regard them suspiciously, even if we cover our suspicion by speaking of “pastoral concerns.” It is a real stumbling block to true friendship. So many Reformed ministers speak loudly about having a superior theological foundation and then practice as those who fear every Christian community that does not embrace the Westminster Confession (pastoral concerns). If you ever find yourself in need of blessing your pastoral concerns might dramatically limit your opportunity to receive blessings.

Marilynne Robinson encourages Christians to consider the great power they are invested with to bless others. It is one of the most powerful tools we have to spread the “love of Christ” to the world. It is not something to be selfishly held back even if we struggle with the person seeking the blessing. Do we really want to deny those hands of blessings to someone because they happen to labor in the Roman or Orthodox Churches in our community? Avoiding friendships that God might desire us to establish. I think they know when we reluctantly embrace them with our pastoral concerns.

Over a month ago my wife asked me to run to the supermarket to pick up six items for her on a Saturday morning. This is not a task I usually enjoy, especially on a Saturday morning when the store is packed. I was fortunate and able to get my six items and get back out of the store. As I was leaving, I heard someone yell “Hey” behind me. I did not turn around because I did not think someone would be addressing the minister this way. But then I heard it again and turned. Running toward me were two older Roman Catholic friends, Bill and Lorraine. They both ran up and hugged me and let me know they loved me. They then asked how I was doing and I brought them up to date on my condition. As I got ready to leave Lorraine embraced me again and told me that they prayed for me every morning and every evening. I stood with tears running down my face as I realized the depth of support I enjoyed from their Christian home. They blessed me and I was glad to receive their blessing.

Perhaps our “pastoral concerns” are a little overblown.

Tom Clark is Pastor of Tri-City Covenant Church, Somersworth, New Hampshire.