Someone posed this question to me – “Why do you call yourself the Fat Pastor?” Well, I have a few reasons.
First of all, because I am a pastor. A lot of what I do on this blog is write about God and the Church. I offer my thoughts, or what I have called “my nebulous theology.” As a pastor, I am interested in sharing God’s message of love, redemption and grace. I think there is a lot of noise out there that contributes to a lot of confused people. I try to offer my view of God because, in my boldness, I think it might be helpful.
Since starting this blog, I have been given much encouragement from people that have received gifts from my words to know that I indeed have something to offer. I’ve had about 40,000 views, and get about 50-100 a day. This is not a huge site, but some people tell me they like it. So right away, in the title of my blog, people know that I am coming from a pastoral perspective. I am, and always will be, a pastor.
I am many other things too, and I write about the many things I enjoy. But one thing I am is overweight. It’s a fact that I cannot ignore. Every time I try to put on a tie, every time I tie my shoes, every time I get out of breath after light exertion, I am reminded of this fact. I am 6′ 2″, and at my last weigh-in, I’m 320 pounds. That’s grossly overweight. I named this blog in 2008 when I was shocked to find out my weight had topped 300 pounds, and it has generally gone the wrong way ever since. I’ve always been big. I was never the “fat kid” growing up, but I don’t think anyone has ever described me as skinny. I’m athletic, and actually healthy in a lot of ways, but my belly is certainly bigger than it should be.
I call myself the Fat Pastor on this blog first and foremost because its true. But I also use the word “Fat” to try and breathe a little brevity into what I am doing. I have always had a self-depricating sense of humor. People tend to think of pastors in one of two ways. Some have an automatic sense of distrust. This is something that we, as pastors, have earned well. There are far too many of us that abuse our authority, and misuse the trust we are given. There are also people that tend to think of pastors as almost otherworldly. By calling myself the Fat Pastor, I am attempting to diffuse either extreme.
I’m just a regular guy. I have struggles. I sin. I have a sense of humor. I like sports – perhaps too much. I like eating – definately way too much. I like beer and wine and scotch, but not in excess. I like some vulgar music and raunchy comedies and dirty jokes. I am not perfect. I’m fat. I don’t want to be, but I am. I don’t work out nearly as much as I should, and I eat way more than I ought. It doesn’t make me a bad person. Does it make me a hypocrite? Some would say so. But I am who I am. I want to be better, and I’m striving to live well and do good in the world.
I am gifted. I have failures. I am a sinner. I am a saint. It’s who I am. And I would bet it is who you are too.
I am the Fat Pastor. This is my blog. I hope you like it. If you do, share it with others. If you don’t, I’ll love you anyway.
For an update on how I’m trying to change, check out the #Fat2Fit page.
The Fat Pastor 
Robb, AMEN, brother!! I could have written this posting myself! I thank God that you are who you are! And, that I can call you a brother in Christ!!
Chuck
You are a very real person and the congregation that “gets” you – has a privilege.
I am a relatively new United Methodist, a path which began as coming to serve as accompanist to an early Sunday morning service and has taken me to being the organist for the full church – which I joined seven years ago (and seven years after I began playing for them.
I was a metodista actually long before I knew I was. 🙂
Hi Rob, I love the title “Fat Pastor,” and am only a little jealous that you took it before I could claim it for myself. But just one thing… since ours is a faith of resurrection and transformation, I hope that you don’t find yourself “stuck” by the title if, in fact, a change in your life should happen… because as we know, with God all things are possible!
With blessings from another Fat Pastor
you are too cool! i like how you are real. i saw your blog about “happy holidays” on facebook, from my cousin. maybe she was trying to point out that we all need to think more about love and less about the word “Christmas”. i don’t know. anyway, i don’t know much about anything, but i do appreciate a pastor being real, honest, and trying to get the LOVE of God out there, to a desperate world in need of God’s real love – not our definition of love. God bless you and take care!
Hi When I saw your “Nothing can take Christ out of Christmas”,,,,I thought unless I spell it wrong. LOL
That brought back an old memory: when I was a very young I told my mother how angry the word “X-Mas” made me. She hugged me and said ” That s because you love Jesus”. Funny thing was I didn’t get it until years later LOL
Thanks for the memory.
Love in Christ ML
HI…I appreciate your honesty at least on this site or blog …just curious as to why you are a pastor?
Rob,
Many thanks for your wonderful blog. I am an Episcopal pastor in NH and drew great strength from your words on Lent as I prepare for Ash Wednesday.
Blessings to you and your ministry and family,
Marjorie +
I just found your blog today. I look forward to reading your posts. I was drawn in by your nom de plume. I am a pastor and I love cycling. I used to read a guy who called himself the fat cyclist. He is no longer posting on that site, but the archives reveal some great writing. Some of the cycling stuff will be to technical, but his struggle with his wife’s cancer is moving.
I look forward to reading your blog.
Pete