"The secularization of pastoral ministry takes place when the pastor gives up the uncertain and somewhat modest work of being a companion to persons in pilgrimage and takes on the job of public relations agent for the congregation; the job then is to whip up flagging enthusiasm, raise money for the budget, promote new programs, and 'get out the vote' on Sundays. Even when people sense the manipulative nature of such visitation, they don't seem to mind--they are so conditioned to being treated in such ways by advertisers, politicians, and salespeople that they apparently assume that it is the mark of any successful person and admire the energy of the pastor who does it."
-Eugene Peterson, Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980) 93.
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