So, today at the bank, the pastor from the church across the street came by. He is a client and we know him and his family, and he wanted to invite us to their Christmas Eve services. It was a kind and wonderful gesture, and he prefaced it with “if you aren’t going somewhere else…” With that opportunity to decline graciously, I responded, “thank you so much for the invitation, but I am attending somewhere else.” He asked where and I told him about our church down the street. As he was leaving, he said “pray for your pastor, I’m sure he needs it this week.” to which I responded, “yes, I’m sure she does.”
Growing up in a church that has ordained women in pastoral leadership for 55 years, it sometimes takes me by surprise when others are surprised that our pastor is a woman. I don’t believe for a minute the pastor from across the street was implying that women should not be pastors, I think sometimes we all get caught up in the culture stereotypes. Which leads me to my next topic: a great article I read the other day about teachers incorporating lessons about gender identity into their elementary school curriculum. Read it here.
I wish there had been this type of teaching when I was in school. I can’t even begin to imagine how many children (and adults, too!) spend and spent their lives uncomfortably and living in such a way that was untrue to how they felt inside. It breaks my heart.
