tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385876778990619768.post3772945813446696264..comments2024-01-08T15:36:09.829-05:00Comments on Shepastor: "The Power of Perception and Denial Part II"Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429236141587234665noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385876778990619768.post-27588959567473275172010-07-07T13:34:08.881-04:002010-07-07T13:34:08.881-04:00Some female clergy issues are the same issues face...Some female clergy issues are the same issues faced by any professional woman. Our mask isn't always one of hiding, but one of our own delusion. Biological necessity pits our maternal calling and our professional calling in opposition and we would not even pursue both (let alone successfully) if we hadn't convinced ourselves that, through Christ, we can, indeed, "feed 5000" with "five loaves and two fish."Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00358673094045053631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385876778990619768.post-10843987750358919902010-07-02T13:34:22.104-04:002010-07-02T13:34:22.104-04:00Dear Chris,
I am not a techy...don't blog....Dear Chris,<br /> I am not a techy...don't blog...tried yesterday to use Twitter to connect with you, tried all kinds of things, but go no where. Finally decided to use your email.<br /> <br /> I understand very well about masks....I call it my "pastor's face"....you put it on when you NEED to do HIS work and you can't.....but with His help you can. Maybe it is a funeral of a member who had grown close and you need to be there for the family, so you set aside your own grief to do the service. You may weep with them in private, but the public only sees the strong pastor..<br /> <br /> And I understand doing it all. I serve 2 very small congregations. The help i get from the regulars is minimal...I can't even get the moderator to schedule meetings in a timely manner. I have some support, but I do the bulletins, church Sunday prep, we do have a janitor, but she often is busy and things get missed, and she does no decorating. I choose the hymns to go with my service and call the pianist and one elderly lady who uses large print she has copied through the years. I sweep the walk, put up the hymn numbers, you name it I do it.<br /> And I am out in the community in the nursing homes, hospital, and food pantry, serving wherever God places me. I tell people I am blessed to have congregations who support me so I can do the work God has for me.<br /> My husband was ill and died in 2009. I carried on doing hospital calls, funerals, and the like through it all. I only missed 2 important events, a dedication of a baby and a funeral. Both I made arrangements to be handled, from the hospital at my husband's bedside.<br /> Everyone thought I was doing great, but when I came home and the mask came off all I could do was collapse and weep.....most never knew and most never asked. A few did....a few understood, but those who understood best were not from the congregation, but women to who I minister in other places.<br /> <br /> I am called to do this work. I am not complaining. I thank you for the blog which helped me think about the mask I am wearing and how I can become more real with myself, more open to God who already knows all, and how open I should or should not be.....Is wearing a mask, keeping things private a good thing sometimes? How open should we be with our congregations? What is the line between letting them know our needs as pastors and keeping things personal? For me the 2 blend so closely sometimes it is hard to separate them. I can't just take my "pastor's hat" off and become someone else....right now I am not even sure who that someone else is......a part of the losses of the last several years.....<br /> <br /> Faith in God...that is what keeps me moving forward. Trusting that as I surrender to His will, the Spirit will guide me. As I spend time with Him, He will show me the way. As I am willing, He will use me. Isn't that what it is all about?<br /> <br /> Thanks. I hope you have time to write back. God Bless. Pastor MaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385876778990619768.post-12856915446727212622010-06-30T10:19:45.330-04:002010-06-30T10:19:45.330-04:00Loved today's piece...while we do alot of work...Loved today's piece...while we do alot of work at the church because we do not want to appear weak or unable to do it,thus giving the oflk a reqson to "go find a male clergy," I find myself, after 38 years in ministry, still doing it because I am called!! HOWEVER, I have gotten better as I matured...some things lay folk should do that I did, I no longer do, with an explanation why. Lay people still do not do it, so it does not get done and no one seems to be upset! We learned ANOTHER way to live without and still be the body of Christ. Do what feels right as a CALLED woman of God to make your ministry go well, and leave the rest to the Holy Spirit. Can't wait til next week's writings!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com