Episcopal Clergy in the Media

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Anna and I have recently started following the show “FlashForward,” which I’ve found to be pretty entertaining. In one of the recent episodes, “Black Swan,” I was interested to see a brief portrayal of an Episcopal Priest. Unfortunately they made him out to be a bit of a putz, if not necessarily unlikable. Check it out:

That’s some good pastoral care… “maybe the volunteer coordinator can help you…”

  • Hotspur

    I really don’t want to pile on…but I have to admit being the former Epsicopalian and ex-media guy that:

    1. I’ve seen that happen personally
    2. ECUSA ministers tend to be considered as either lightweights or crazy protestants by most creative types I personally know…

    Now, that said: I’M NOT LUMPING THE THE YOUNG GUNS (20-30 year old ordained types) INTO THAT STATEMENT!

    I’m old enough to remember the really, really bad ministers who found a way to be ordained in order to escape Vietnam and the draft. They’re gone for the most part.
    But just like bad cops leave a bad taste behind after they get kicked out of the force…bad ministers can do just as much to ruin a denomination’s reputation for decades to come…and yes, I’m thinking about our cousins across the Tiber on that one.

    Those who represent “The Nazarene” are gonna have to be the dude when it counts most. Quoting a sports radio jock I listen to: show up, suit up, play hard, get paid.

    Go get em, young guns. You’re doing fine.

  • http://02continuum.wordpress.com Eric

    The Rev. Randall Balmer left a lot to be desired when he appeared on the Colbert Report as well. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/252747/october-27-2009/holy-water-under-the-bridge—randall-balmer

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/JodyH Jody+

    Hotspur,

    I don’t doubt that this sort of thing happens–it’s just too bad that this is the image folks decide to portray. Not that I expect a particularly impressive portrayal, but I found the bumbling irritating. Though, on the positive side, keeping crickets could provide an appropriate accent to those awkward silences that sometimes come up when you’re counseling someone.

    Eric,

    I agree, Fr. Balmer did not do terribly well–he seemed nervous at first (not that I blame him for that, given the way Colbert can make even the brightest guests look like idiots) and repeated a sort of standard line critical of the big-bad conservative RCC. On the other hand, he was very well dressed, and we all know that’s what really matters… :-p I also thought Colbert treated him nicely compared to the way he steps on the sentences of some of his guests…