I was really blessed to work alongside 3 men for 3 years who loved the Lord, loved me, and encouraged me in the development and exercising of my gifts in ministry. We dreamt together, ate together, programmed together, worshipped together, prayed together, laughed at each other, and loved on high school and junior high students together. The fact that I was a woman in ministry...well, that never really mattered (except after a trip to Cosco). We were partners in God's work, sharing equally in every aspect.
It wasn't until seminary that I noticed my first 3 years on a church staff was really unique. Incredibly unique. 4-leaf clover unique. The ratio of men to women is probably 4:1, depending upon the class. The men are asked to pray more often than the women. I've had 7 male profs and only 1 female. Not every man approves of us sitting among them, working and studying and training to be pastors. We are not always supported or encouraged. (But sometimes we are!) For a while there I was uncomfortable...self conscious...skeptical...even defensive. Not good things to be.
Here's what I've discovered as a woman in ministry. My gender has to come secondary to my calling. I don't want to be defined as a woman in ministry anymore. I want to be defined as a child of God who is striving in every area of life to be an obedient servant and follower of Christ. I can't always be skeptical as to how people perceive my leadership. I just have to fully yield my life under the guidance of God. I have to humbly trust any position of authority he ordains for me. And I have to carry the cross and love God daily. Loving and leading my students and volunteers will simply flow from that.
We are neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female. We are God's. And we must act, serve, lead, and live as such. I am free from having to explain myself or defend myself. I am free from wondering if a man is making that face because I am a woman or if he just ate something disagreeable earlier that day (I know the face...my husband-to-be's stomach rebels often). I am convinced that there is too much work to be done to worry about whether someone cares if I wear a skirt, curl my hair, or wear mascara.
We're all one in Christ. And that's what I've discovered as a woman in ministry, or let's just say, as a follower of Jesus.
It wasn't until seminary that I noticed my first 3 years on a church staff was really unique. Incredibly unique. 4-leaf clover unique. The ratio of men to women is probably 4:1, depending upon the class. The men are asked to pray more often than the women. I've had 7 male profs and only 1 female. Not every man approves of us sitting among them, working and studying and training to be pastors. We are not always supported or encouraged. (But sometimes we are!) For a while there I was uncomfortable...self conscious...skeptical...even defensive. Not good things to be.
Here's what I've discovered as a woman in ministry. My gender has to come secondary to my calling. I don't want to be defined as a woman in ministry anymore. I want to be defined as a child of God who is striving in every area of life to be an obedient servant and follower of Christ. I can't always be skeptical as to how people perceive my leadership. I just have to fully yield my life under the guidance of God. I have to humbly trust any position of authority he ordains for me. And I have to carry the cross and love God daily. Loving and leading my students and volunteers will simply flow from that.
We are neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female. We are God's. And we must act, serve, lead, and live as such. I am free from having to explain myself or defend myself. I am free from wondering if a man is making that face because I am a woman or if he just ate something disagreeable earlier that day (I know the face...my husband-to-be's stomach rebels often). I am convinced that there is too much work to be done to worry about whether someone cares if I wear a skirt, curl my hair, or wear mascara.
We're all one in Christ. And that's what I've discovered as a woman in ministry, or let's just say, as a follower of Jesus.
I am so glad that you are truly following God's calling because you are changing lives. As someone forever changed because I was lucky enough to have served along side you I know. Thank you for loving God and loving others, LOVE you KayMach!!
ReplyDeleteYour post exudes confidence! I never get tired of saying I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, Beautiful Daughter!
ReplyDeleteGodspeed!
amen.
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of my soon-to-be-wife! We are all one in Christ...we are all his :)
ReplyDeleteBoooyaaaaa......
ReplyDelete