The Time I Almost Stepped Away From Ministry...
I remember it like it was yesterday... The crushing weight of devastating news. The creeping sense that this was changing my life as I knew it. The crippling fear of wondering who was safe to process my feelings with. When my wife and I were told that we going to lose our baby; a baby we had waited for, prayed for, begged God for; I thought that my life in professional ministry was over. It plunged me into a dark pit that all but entirely blocked out any light of hope. I was angry, confused and limping, but still leading... I didn't know who to turn to or if I'd survive this, and keep my leadership intact. The weight of this un-welcomed surprise was too much to maintain, with all that I was juggling in my leadership role. Was the right move to step out of leadership...
...because I was moving into a season of grief?
Richard Rohr describes Grief as "Sacred Space," but for me, it is often also an avoided space. So often we can feel ill-equipped to handle our own grief or the grief of others, so we either run from it, try to manage it with cliches or platitudes, or let it overtake every area of our life, dragging us away from the things that could actually provide healing for our weary souls.
As a leader, I also want you to know that I understand the pain of loss, and the confusion that can ensue in the aftermath.
That is why I want to invite you to be a part of our upcoming Grief Workshop we are hosting at Soul City on Saturday, March 18. It will be a place to hear biblical and psychological perspectives on grief, as well as space for you to potentially receive care for aspects of your story that have been overlooked, and learn tools that you can use as you wisely care for others who are experiencing loss.
I am so grateful that I was a part of a community who held healthy space with me when my soul entered its darkest night. I pray that if this workshop is something that you need, you would take advantage of it... for yourself... for others... for the ones we've lost.