The First Five Things I Learned as a Lead Pastor
Two years ago today – I remember it so clearly. The day I became a lead pastor. I remember laying in bed the night before, unable to sleep. I remember standing in front of that room full of people, wondering if they would accept me, if I would know what to do to lead them. I had so many ideas – so many solutions to problems that seemed so easy.
The reality was going to be so much different than what I expected.
We Didn't Talk About Women
From that moment on, most of the women I met introduced themselves as pastors. Preachers. Priests. Professors at seminaries. Almost every woman I met had a life entrenched in the ministry. Pastors were referred to as ‘she’. It felt shocking.
I Failed Speech Class. Twice.
I, who now speak every weekend and am minorly sought after for other events, failed speech class. Twice.
No One is Brave
Everyone is so much braver than I am. I don’t feel brave at all. I feel scared most of the time. I feel like a faker – like if people really knew me, the real me, they wouldn’t think I was capable of anything.
Faithfulness Isn't Sexy
I had been valuing passion over faithfulness. I wanted people to see that I was passionate, but what my team and the church needed was someone who was faithful.
Give it Away Now
There are days when a thought sneaks into my head about how she's younger and cooler than me. How she's better at this than I am. How I am obsolete or too old or too uncool. How she will go further than I have.
They Named Me Bold
Why pray for our daughters to be filled with the Spirit if we are not going to let the Spirit speak through them?