Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, Chabad Jewish Center, 1203 W. 19th St.

In my years of experience I have encountered numerous individuals who have shared the common perception that there are two distinct entities: The common folk and members of the clergy. Quite often when I encourage an individual to engage in prayer or other form of religious practice, the response I get is: “Hey Rabbi, you do it for me … after all, isn’t this what rabbis do best?”

Many people have the unhealthy attitude that one can hire a clergy member to perform all religious duties on their behalf. Let the rabbi observe the traditions to pass on to the next generation … of rabbis! Meanwhile, I will live the easy life and pay for the services of a religious professional when I need them. Until then, don’t bother me, I’m busy.

Truly, Judaism does not differentiate between “clergy” and “lay individuals.” Whether you are a taxi driver, farmer or a rabbi, you are still expected to live a “normal” life, to be involved with the struggles and pleasures of the mundane world. It matters not at all whether you are a rabbi or a dentist, a janitor or a lawyer — you are expected to transform the everyday mundane world into a home for God.

The Torah’s ideal is to create a the social order of holy people. Sanctity and morality is not the domain of rabbis alone — every individual is expected to live up to the same standards and each one of us is to engage in direct dialogue with God and engage in the study of his Torah.

The clergy member, like myself, is merely here to help others bridge the gap between the demands of the spirit with the realities of the corporeal. Always remember: You cannot simply rely on the rabbi, no matter how reliable he may be.

— Send e-mail to Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel at rabbi@JewishKU.com.

Matt Cox, pastor, EastLake Community Church, 2734 La. (South Junior High)

There are three main reactions to what I do for a living:

Reaction No. 1: The shutdown

The second I mention I am a pastor it’s as if the person just remembered their dog died. There is an inevitable awkward silence until I try to change the subject.

Reaction No. 2: The testing ground

Once someone took it as a challenge to fluster me. They rattled off the things they’ve done in life or are currently doing they consider scandalous to see how I would react. It didn’t phase me; I just continued to ask more about them.

This type of reaction breaks my heart because it implies a past experience where the person was burned by someone of faith — and that’s now the lens through which they look at God.

Reaction No. 3: The ask

Knowing that faith-based stereotypes are deeply ingrained in our culture, I now start with the line “I’m a pastor in a church for people who don’t like ‘church.'” Everyone wants me to qualify that statement. So, then I get to talk about EastLake being a true come-as-you-are environment where you don’t have to feel awkward or meet some unspoken requirement to merely show up, find community and hear about Jesus.

Then I try to establish uncommon common ground. These are similarities you wouldn’t assume you’d have with a “pastor.” For instance, I may talk about my video game design career, love of film or my favorite beer at Free State. I find this to be disarming, which leads to the other person asking more questions — my favorite reaction.

If the dialogue continues to flow, I’ll tell them I started EastLake for all of us imperfect people to grow forward from wherever we’re at — from the person who doesn’t yet believe in God to someone who’s been a Christian for 50 years.

— Send e-mail to Matt Cox at matt@eastlakelawrence.com.