Over two years ago now, as the Pandemic was just beginning, my daughter and I decided to write a book together about the future of the church. Our writing reflects the kinds of conversations our little family has engaged in over the years standing around the island in our kitchen, debriefing our experiences in church and expressing our opinions about….well, about all of it. My adult life has been invested in being a part of building the local church. Both of my daughters grew up with a close-range view of the inner workings of a megachurch. But each of them followed their artistic passions and chose to major in theater in college. Samantha, my co-writer, spent her 20’s pursuing work as a writer and an actress. When we began the book project, she was working part-time at a church in Austin, while continuing to pursue projects connected to theater and media. What I didn’t see coming is that two years later, she is now pursuing full-time ministry, soon to be an Associate Pastor at a wonderful church in Raleigh. Samantha tells people that out of all those she has told this news, I was the least excited.
I do not see my response as a lack of excitement….more as surprise combined with cautious concern! I have cheered my daughters on as they both serve in churches with their gifts – mostly until now, as volunteers. But to jump full-time on staff at a church is another thing altogether. I have witnessed both the exhilarating highs and the deeply painful lows connected to ministry. The protective mother bear in me simply doesn’t want to see my girls caught up in anything marked by the abuse of power, the sidelining of women and their gifts, or the inevitable disappointments when people you love leave the church.
And yet….my heart is also filled with the hope that Samantha will have a fulfilling experience on a team with men and women who love and respect one another as my team did. When she preaches on Sunday mornings, I look forward to the incredible insights and love she will bring to that congregation. Certainly there is a part of me that feels proud my girl would follow my path in this arena, and I fully expect her to find her voice and bear much fruit, far exceeding anything I was able to contribute. I will be the mom who roots for her while fervently praying for her! That’s what moms and dads do…