“CHIPPER”

In El Salvador life revolves around community. It is no surprise then that lines tend to blur together between denominations within the formal church in El Salvador. Within rural communities in particular, practicing Roman Catholics and Lutherans often worship together while maintaining some of their own traditions. Aside from Holy Communion being the sticking point, the rest of the service presents no problems including participating in the liturgy, singing hymns, and listening to the homily. All take part in the church’s ministries, and social festivities.

Most folks use “priest” and “pastor” interchangeably. Both mean “shepherd.” We did find it comical when a taxi driver we befriended on a previous trip warmly greeted my pastor partner “Hola, Chipper!” Both of us looked at one another perplexed and asked this person to repeat what he said. The guy asked, “You ARE a priest, right?” That’s when I put it together. He was saying, “SHEPHERD,” but his English came out “CHIPPER.” We all laughed.

As I thought about the term more, it grew on me. Isn’t a shepherd what we want in a pastor? Someone who looks out for each member of his flock? When one is lost, the shepherd searches until he finds him. There is something tender and comforting about that term. When our bishop visits a congregation within his synod, he carries the shepherd’s staff with him as a symbol of his extended care for us, his congregation.

When I think of Martin Luther’s original intent of reforming the Catholic Church, it was, as we all know, NOT for a Reformation or a split from the Roman Catholic Church at all. Rather, he intended for church leaders to examine a mere 95 offensive practices within the church that he felt were not scripturally-based. He saw things like the poor having to buy indulgences to get to heaven as priests taking advantage of the people which he found nowhere in the Bible. (Of course, most people at that time were illiterate making it easier for the priests to get away with these things, but I digress.)

To be a part of a rural worship service in El Salvador where both Protestants and Catholics respectfully participated jointly gave me pause. Isn’t that how our church started? Isn’t that evangelical practice what Martin Luther actually intended to remain?

If the Catholics gave up the term “Father” and the Protestants gave up the term “Pastor” and we all used “Shepherd,” there would be no distinction between our leaders. I wonder how Martin Luther would feel about the title “Shepherd Martin” or as our Salvadoran friend affectionately termed it “Chipper Martin.”

Regardless, I give thanks for my partner in this ministry for over 20 years AFTER he retired from full-time ministry. Pastor Emeritus, Don Seiple, who prefers just “Don” to all who know him. But “Chipper” is a new title.

Don has taught me a great deal about mission, accompaniment, solidarity, and commitment to serving others. He continues to serve with much devotion and great humility. Many, many years into our trips to El Salvador I casually mentioned, “I read there are some great sites to see in this country – drives with waterfalls, Mayan ruins, etc.” He allowed me to ramble on for awhile and then thoughtfully responded, “All that is true, but remember ‘We are here for the people.'” That became the motto after that. Any time someone would ask us if we had visited this or that attraction, I would respond, “No, we are here for the people.”

Thank you Chipper Don, for reminding me of our priorities.