“Don’t you ever get frustrated? Aren’t you tired of working for a church that you disagree with?”
A good friend of mine and I had been chatting over the phone about life and my current work. We were playing catch-up on what had happened since our last phone call and I had been sharing some situations and stories from the church I work at. Some of the stories were just honest, humorous quirky tales. Others were genuinely rooted in frustration and the question of “is this for real life?”.
I’ve been mulling over this question for weeks now (yes, weeks).
Am I tired of reading sermons that use cringe-worthy or even downright bad illustrations to make the point?
Am I frustrated that our church has good theology and practices for almost everything except women’s leadership and authority?
Do I wish that we stopped quoting certain well-known biblical teachers, scholars and pastors especially because they loudly and publicly support the orange cheeto?
Would I love it if we retired certain books and resources that have teachings based more in western evangelical culture than actual biblical truth? Especially when they don’t bring the receipts and cite their sources?*
Yes, but I am still seeing life-change despite those awful tie-ins.
Yes, but I still see women persisting, using their God-ordained gifts and leading, even if it isn’t officially recognized (or paid). And it is building up the body of Christ despite limitations.
Yes, but there is grace even for those individuals and I believe they can still speak truth (on occasion).
Yes, but somehow God still uses dodgy or questionable things to grow people (and sometimes that growth is in discernment and they realize they don’t agree with what they read).
In spite of all the things that frustrate, irk or annoy me, God is actually changing lives in the communities my church is a part of. People are encountering Jesus, finding community, belonging, and flourishing. And I can’t believe I have the privilege of working for, not only a healthy church, but a growing church (and I’m not just talking about the baby boom that is going on as I write this). I can’t believe I get to lead a small group of women who are making strides in their walk with God which I have a front row seat to. I can’t believe that I began my career in ministry enduring a traumatic and toxic work environment that God flipped on its head and completely redeemed—allowing me to experience the richness of working with people who love Jesus and strive to become more like Him. To be a part of a team that prays together, worships with each other, and uplifts one another (okay, and teases on occasion).
What an incredible honor it is to work somewhere where I am challenged in my thinking, where maybe I don’t agree with everything 100%, but the love of Jesus covers all my frustrations and holdups. Where I am asked to choose love and humility time and time again, not to the detriment of my person and health, but in order to be more like Jesus and go back to what really matters.
Seeing people encounter Jesus and be transformed by Him.
Helping others grow to be more like Him.
Using my gifts to build up.
The good and flourishing of all.
* I’m looking at you, made-up statistic saying that “When dad comes to Christ first, 93% of families will follow” which has been quoted and re-quoted without using the original source or case study. Oh, right, because there isn’t one. How do I know? Here’s my source: https://www.missioalliance.org/the-myth-of-the-93-fathers-and-mothers-are-not-a-competitive-hierarchy-in-the-home/ …Turns out citing really isn’t that hard