Join us as we go “wayyyy back” in the life of the Rev. Rob Patterson, Rector of Redeemer Santa Cruz, to catch a glimpse of his personal history and calling.
What did you want to be when you were little?
When I was little, I wanted to be Superman. First of all, I loved the Christopher Reeve movies, and I tried to stay up all night when network TV aired a 24-hour marathon of Adventures of Superman, the old black and white show with George Reeves. Second, I believed I could fly. I have a very distinct memory of trying to prove this to my friends on the school playground. Several kids gathered around. I still remember jumping up, hovering for several moments, and then gracefully landing, satisfied I’d proven my ability. My friends thought all I proved was that I sniffed glue; to them it just looked like I jumped and immediately landed. I, however, remained convinced I could fly.
So convinced, I later climbed a pine tree in my front yard, stood on a fairly high branch, and called my mom to come out of the house. “Look, Mom, I’m Superman!” Before she could say a word, I jumped, fell victim to gravity, split open my arm—further proof I wasn’t the Man of Steel—and had to be taken to the hospital for stitches.
When did you first know you wanted to pursue Holy Orders?
In college, I was deep into opera. Wagner, Mozart, Puccini, I loved it all. For a while I even got to study in Puccini’s hometown of Lucca, Italy. I dreamed of singing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and worked hard to get there.
After my time in Italy, I led music at a Christian summer camp. During those weeks, I felt God pulling me toward vocational ministry. I was hesitant to give up pursuing an opera career, and asked God for clarity.
That summer three of my long-time friends visited camp unbeknownst to one another, and all confirmed, “Rob, in case you’re wondering, God made you to be a pastor, not an opera singer.” After camp I was looking through some old high school papers and found a 9th grade essay, in which I wrote that I wanted to be a pastor when I grew up. I was sold, changed my major to Bible and Theology, and began pursuing vocational ministry.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Old Rob to Young Rob. Come in. Old Rob to Young Rob, know this: music and ministry can go together. God’s interested in you using your voice to proclaim his goodness—both your singing voice in song, and your speaking voice in preaching.
What do you think your kids will say about growing up as pastor’s kids?
My wife Julia and I work intentionally to not place any unfair expectations on our kids, and to relieve any undue PK pressure. Still, when in future they sit in some brown leather chair, confiding in their counselor, I hope they’ll be able to say something like, “Well, they didn’t keep us out of therapy, but they did their best to keep the costs down.”
Post Script: While overhearing me read this response to my wife, my daughter commented, “I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as you’re making it out to be.” In truth, our kids are all happy to be part of our family and our sweet church.
What does being a priest mean to you?
Growing up, there were times when my family did not own a car. To get from A to B, we’d typically walk. Twenty minutes to school, 45 to church. If it was raining, add a few and carry an umbrella.
Often, however, folks would offer me a ride. I remember many kind eyes, soft seats, and warm heaters. Friends, their parents, and youth leaders cared so well for me that I actively looked forward to the day I’d be able to offer the same generosity to others when I got my license. Even now I love giving a ride to someone in need. This is one way to describe what being a priest means to me.
I have benefitted incalculably—even more than a ride on a rainy day—from God’s goodness and grace mediated to me by his people. Godly folks looked me in the eye and offered a kind word, a gentle rebuke, or much needed forgiveness. A man took me to a father/son baseball game, knowing my father was absent. Another gave me Christian books, introducing each of his “friends” with an encouraging note. Now, as a priest, I look forward every day to being one who gets to serve others and journey with them toward Jesus. It’s like I get to drive around, spotting fellow travelers, and asking, “Need a ride?”
Did you enjoy getting to know Rob a little better? Who do you want us to feature next? Drop us a line.
