one woman in seminary

Wow. You are blessed. The Christian walk is to be ...

2012-05-15T13:13:27.141-04:00

Wow. You are blessed. The Christian walk is to be single-focused and simple, for sure. Thank you for sharing.

My background is actually both Amish and Mennonite...

2012-05-12T00:54:25.449-04:00

My background is actually both Amish and Mennonite. My paternal grandfather was Amish, but left the Amish and joined a Mennonite church as a young man. Both my parents were raised Mennonite and I was initially as well. My brother has traced our ancestry back to Anabaptists in Switzerland fleeing persecution. So much of what I grew up with I didn't realize was from that Mennonite heritage until I moved away, if that makes sense. I think I've looked for that simplicity everywhere I've gone.

So Crystal...thanks for posting. Were you from an ...

2012-05-05T17:33:20.319-04:00

So Crystal...thanks for posting. Were you from an Amish or Mennonite background, or just from the surrounding community? Did your time there cultivate a desire for simplicity in you?

So interesting to click on your blog and read this...

2012-04-30T16:00:47.939-04:00

So interesting to click on your blog and read this. I'm not sure how I found your writings, but somehow I did and bookmarked your blog.

I grew up in Holmes County, Ohio and come from those Amish and Mennonite roots there. I know Walnut Creek and Sugarcreek very well. I moved away after high school but often wonder what life would be like had I stayed. What I love about the Amish is their intentional commitment to community and family. The values of hard work, thrift, simplicity, honor, truth - those are ingrained in me from those Mennonite roots.

I enjoy your writing - thank you for sharing your perspective from visiting that area.

Sharon, I understand where you are coming from, fo...

2012-04-24T08:46:56.428-04:00

Sharon, I understand where you are coming from, for sure. It is the light of Christ that allows us to be obedient to His call as His daughters. We need it daily, hourly, and yes, even minute-by-minute.

Reflecting on God is the only "practice"...

2012-04-23T14:01:34.555-04:00

Reflecting on God is the only "practice" that enables and equips me to be a female pastor in this male driven world. It also helps me humbly accept the call on my life despite the fact that I am a woman and in full time ministry.

Hi Jen: So great to hear from you here. I'm gr...

2012-03-17T11:14:02.124-04:00

Hi Jen: So great to hear from you here. I'm grateful to know God works uniquely in each of our lives to use our brokenness as a tool to know Him. You are missed!

Suzie, I was a little slow getting to this. What a...

2012-03-14T11:11:34.309-04:00

Suzie, I was a little slow getting to this. What an amazing sermon! Thank you for sharing your story of brokenness. Thank you for the reference to 2 Corinthians 12 and "the thorn in my flesh". What a great way for us to understand our circumstances and how God uses our thorn to make us strong in Him. I know today my thoughts will be on fully embracing my weakness:) I had the biggest smile on my face listening to Jennifer's testimony and that her emptiness is gone. God is so awesome!!!

Thank God for you, Ron! Who weeps with the pastor,...

2012-02-11T08:57:51.864-05:00

Thank God for you, Ron! Who weeps with the pastor, indeed. One often gets the sense that when someone asks how you are doing they do not exactly want to know. I have one person I meet with weekly who prays for ME after I finish praying for her. I feel seen, noticed, and appreciated when that happens.

Funny, dear Leigh, just reposted your Wednesday Wo...

2012-02-08T10:25:23.578-05:00

Funny, dear Leigh, just reposted your Wednesday Words for today on facebook. Then I see your comment here. God has blessed us, hasn't he? These friends who shed light on the utter beauty of stripping things bare, seeing them as they are, and then watching the love of Christ overflow. As much as we love words, I often struggle to put into words all that I discover and understand through these amazing women.

Yes, I do. And he is a recovering meth addict who ...

2012-02-07T22:10:48.702-05:00

Yes, I do. And he is a recovering meth addict who spent three years in prison for dealing. He loves Jesus, is lit from the inside out, and is one of the least self-affected people I know. His honesty often stuns me, and always challenges me. And grace can bring him to tears.

Hi Kaye: So does that mean you drove a junker or a...

2012-01-28T21:16:08.253-05:00

Hi Kaye: So does that mean you drove a junker or are driving one? Would be quite interesting to see our churches lay down this challenge, wouldn't it?

Empathy -- rejoice with those who rejoice, weep wi...

2012-01-28T20:20:54.640-05:00

Empathy -- rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

In my church there are boxes of kleenex everywhere -- pews, pulpits, window sills -- everywhere.

But there is still that question: Who weeps with the pastor? There are so many things that isolate pastors from others, from parishoners to ministry colleagues and superiors.

My pastor and I are friends, probably the best contribution I can make to my fellowship.

The movement to drive junkers started awhile befor...

2012-01-28T15:17:30.343-05:00

The movement to drive junkers started awhile before 2006 - albeit not with an organization or cool website or bumper stickers - for the reason of freeing up more resources to take the Good News as well as clean water, etc. to those who need it most.

Glad to know about the cool website and bumper stickers!!!

I am a sensitive and highly empathic person this s...

2012-01-21T22:39:47.742-05:00

I am a sensitive and highly empathic person this skill set is both a blessing and a curse. I asked my professor if it was okay to cry with clients. He told me that I am in the driver's seat. I am able to cry with my clients though one of us needs to be in control of the session. My client is able to lose herself in uncontrollable tears and I allow myself to weep with her words are sometimes rarely spoken though I am always praying in my heart. I keep two boxes of tissues in my office. One box in on my desk and the other one on a table near where my clients will sit down for a session with more in a cabinet. I believe this is why Jesus tried to leave the masses so he was able to gather his emotions and spend time with His Father. The masses also had tendencies to follow him.

Thank you Suzanne for your thoghts, which are so t...

2012-01-21T01:01:07.884-05:00

Thank you Suzanne for your thoghts, which are so true and on point. You are such a BLESSING to me and the tears I have shed after talking to you does have a place in our life and its wonderful you are willing to share in tears. Thank you for you and what God is doing thru you to help each of us in your own special way, tears and all.

A.T. 1-21

Eric: It could be...and it is. :) God bless them. ...

2012-01-20T17:08:43.250-05:00

Eric: It could be...and it is. :) God bless them. We desperately need both perspectives!

Could it be, perhaps, that seminaries and classes ...

2012-01-20T16:47:58.796-05:00

Could it be, perhaps, that seminaries and classes are run mostly by men? Just a thought...

Thanks for the comments. I took one counseling cla...

2012-01-20T16:31:30.364-05:00

Thanks for the comments. I took one counseling class in seminary, and yes, it was helpful. But still, no real discussion about the tears. If what they say is true, and we women are more "affective" in our work and ministry, I believe tears are a gift to us and to others.

I also recently discovered that telling another of the anger I feel at the mistreatment or abuse they have suffered is a significant tool in expressing the heart of God to them. It is so often a starting point to healing.

Another lesson learned just this week: sometimes the messiest sessions with people in ministry, those in which you aren't sure you actually helped at all, often help just because a person is being HEARD. Listening is not to be underrated!

In all these ways, we are the hands and feet and tears of Jesus. It's a beautiful thing.

Last semester in seminary I took a counseling skil...

2012-01-19T17:24:11.619-05:00

Last semester in seminary I took a counseling skills class which may prove to be one of the most practical and helpful classes for doing ministry. I have heard the stat that for pastors with small staffs nearly 50% of their ministry is pastoral counseling of the type you described. Next to the Bible and Kleenex as essentials, add empathy.
We people are messy which makes God's grace, love and patience with us even more amazing.

You're right. This needs to be part of the tra...

2012-01-19T16:18:13.506-05:00

You're right. This needs to be part of the training for pastors. In the counseling field, the box of tissue is as much of an office necessity as business cards, and we are prepared not only for our clients' tears, but our own. Why shouldn't this also be true in the pastorate?

This is so refreshing!! There is so much spiritual...

2012-01-19T14:43:16.085-05:00

This is so refreshing!! There is so much spiritual hoop la (?) out there that this perspective is so refreshing & humbling. Thank you.
Becky G.

@cal I'm pondering on your comment. Yes, it...

2012-01-09T12:17:38.728-05:00

@cal I'm pondering on your comment. Yes, it's become a heart thing, and this heart thing follows me wherever I go. You should have seen me last night after the Hope House meeting. Three weeks without those ladies was almost painful. At the same time, I'm asking, God, where is all of this leading? He smiles and says in return, I've got that part. Let go of it!

Isn't it amazing when you first realize that t...

2012-01-09T11:16:04.179-05:00

Isn't it amazing when you first realize that the the new pursuit / challenge / adventure / thingie has become a heart thing? It's moved from "baby giraffe trying to ice skate on wobbly knees" to "boy isn't this exciting and new" to "I gotta do this some more, or I'm going into withdrawl." Gotta love how God shapes the desires of our hearts!

Hello my sweet friend! It is wonderful to read wha...

2011-12-03T01:02:24.435-05:00

Hello my sweet friend!
It is wonderful to read what the Lord is doing in your life and how He has brought you to this role! He has been preparing you for this for years and you are indeed a spiritual mother to so many already.
I miss you so much and look forward to the next time we can see one another. Maybe over the holidays!
Blessings and a hug, Julie