I recently interviewed more than twenty pastors who had been in ministry for at least 25 years. All of these men were over 55 years old. A few of them were retired, but most of them were still active in fulltime vocational ministry.
The interview was simple. I asked one open-ended question: “What regrets do you have about the years you have served as a pastor?” Each of the men could provide as many responses as they desired. They could make the answers succinct, or they could elaborate upon them.
Three pastors had as few as two responses; one pastor had nine. Most of the pastors noted three or four regrets. As a researcher, I typically see patterns develop in this type of subjective research. When it concluded, I was able to see seven definitive patterns, and I was able to see the frequency they occurred.
Below are the top seven regrets noted in order of frequency. I received a total of 17 different responses, but only these seven occurred with any degree of repetition. After each regret, I provide a representative direct quote from one of the interviewees.
The 28th edition of the Nestle-Aland had to accomplish two different tasks. First, the apparatus had to be revised thoroughly to give it more clarity and make it easier to use. Secondly, the text-critical in-sights and decisions resulting from work on the Editio Critica Maior of the Greek New Testament had to be incorporated. As a consequence of these alterations, which so far concern only the Catholic Letters, the Nestle-Aland has for the first time in its history a different presentation for different parts of the text. The Catholic Letters were revised according to a fundamentally new concept which in the long run will be adopted for the entire edition. The revision of the remaining texts was confined to a thorough inspection and rearrangement of the apparatus, while the basic structure was left untouched. Another important innovation is that from now on the Nestle-Aland will not appear only as a printed book, but also in digital form.
My favorite remains ASMF’s 1992 live recording, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. But since that’s not available online, I tried to find my second choice — the Choir of King’s College and the Brandenburg Consort’s 1993 live recording, under Stephen Cleobury. But unfortunately, neither was that available in full version. So on this Christmas Eve, I settled with Cleobury’s 2009 instead:
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11, ESV)
凡有聖潔活潑兒童，快樂頌拜聖嬰； 凡有困苦顛沛流離，呼籲人子之名； 凡有信德與善心，大開仁愛之門； 黑夜消亡，榮光破曉，便是聖誕重經。 Where children pure and happy pray to the blessed Child, Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild; Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door, The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
我們大家同心祈求，聖嬰再臨人間； 求主今日臨格人心，驅除一切罪愆； 欣聞天軍傳消息，群生快樂無涯， 以馬內利，神人團契，千秋萬古永偕！ O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
O Little Town of (Modern Day) Bethlehem:
Mary and Joseph, if they were coming today? No way, because the big wall is close to Bethlehem.
